Octave Of Easter
06th April 2024 (Saturday)
Psalter: Proper
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 4:13-21
In those days: When the rulers and elders and scribes saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the Council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
Psalm 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21
R/. I will thank you, Lord, for you have answered me Or: Alleluia.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : Mark 16:9-15
When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. Afterwards he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Highlight: Easter Saturday
Guidelines: A life of faith is not always a linear journey. There will be low tides and high tides. There will be moments of unbelief. But when personal experience comes in, all these shadows will vanish
1. Many times the faith of many depends on others’ faith or tradition. They believe it because it has been said or practised so. That is why their faith will not be strong, deep, and durable. This is what happened in the case of the apostles.
2. They did not believe when Mary Magdalene told them that Jesus is alive and had been seen by her. So Jesus would rebuke them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.
3. Jesus had to further teach and solidify them in their faith. He does this patiently and compassionately. But once they experience him personally, there was no looking or turning back. They were no more the same. Simple, uneducated, and common men become fluent and wise preachers.
4. Their life changes. They get empowered by him. They become courageous witnesses to him. That is why, even when the authorities charged and threatened them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus, they would boldly defy, saying, “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard”.
5. Peter’s question to the authorities was this: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God”. This should be our norm of life: It is better to obey God rather than please men. This must be a question of self-check for every follower of Christ. They must examine their priorities and loyalties. Are they trying to be loyal to God and the humans? Are they pleasing God or the world?
Practice: If only obedience to God’s will is the guiding principle of the followers of Christ, then why often there are divided and conflicting interests? Why do many compromise with false values and fail to bear witness to the Lord?
