Daily Readings - Sat Apr 27 2019
Acts
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
Mark
9Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.10And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.11And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.12After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.13And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.14Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of faith and the call to share the Good News, even in the face of adversity. In the first reading from Acts, Peter and John stand before the Sanhedrin, unwavering in their commitment to preach about Jesus, despite the threats they receive. Their courage is rooted in their encounter with the risen Christ, and they cannot help but speak of what they have seen and heard. Similarly, in the Gospel from Mark, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and the two disciples, and though they are met with disbelief at first, the truth of the resurrection eventually prevails. These accounts remind us that the message of Christ is not one that can be silenced or contained.
The context of these readings is crucial. For the early Christian community, the resurrection of Jesus was not just an event but a transformative experience that compelled them to share the Gospel with the world. Peter and John, though uneducated, were empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak boldly about their faith. In Mark’s Gospel, the disbelief of the disciples highlights the human struggle to accept the extraordinary truth of the resurrection, but ultimately, Jesus commissions them to go forth and preach to all creation. These stories remind us that faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting in God’s plan and being obedient to His will.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine our own commitment to sharing the Gospel. Like Peter and John, we may face situations where we are called to stand firm in our beliefs, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. Like the disciples, we may struggle with doubt or fear, but Jesus calls us to move beyond those limitations and trust in His power. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith must be lived out in action, and we are called to be witnesses of Christ’s love and truth to a world in need. Let us ask for the courage and grace to be faithful disciples, trusting that God will use us to bring light and hope to those around us.