“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

 

Scripture for this reflection can be found at Saturday in the Octave of Easter | USCCB

On this Saturday within the Octave of Easter, we continue with the Acts of the Apostles in our first reading and another resurrection account in the Gospel.

In the gospel, Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Jesus and overjoyed, ran to tell the apostles. They found it hard to believe her. Then the Lord appeared to the 11 and rebuked them for not believing Mary and the others for their experience of the risen Lord. It was at this time they came to truly know and believe that the Lord has indeed risen from the dead. He gives them the instructions, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). Jesus then ascends into heaven and then they go forth to proclaim salvation in the Risen Lord.

In the Acts of the Apostles for today (Acts 4:13-21) we see the boldness of Peter and John in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. They weren't afraid when the Sandhendrin warned them not to preach about Jesus. Their response was, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19) It was through the power of the Holy Spirit that they received this courage to share the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.

We, as followers of Jesus, are called to be as bold as the apostles in sharing our faith in the Risen Lord. Like the apostles, we'll run into obstacles in sharing our faith. There will be those who will not accept the fact that Jesus not only died on the cross but rose again on the third day. We are to be not afraid to share our faith with them. There will always be those who may reject faith in Jesus Christ, but we are to share our faith with them, nonetheless. Then, after sharing our faith with them, we are to pray for them to receive the gift of faith in Jesus Christ. Prayer is a powerful tool in our sharing our faith with others. 

Let us obey the words of Jesus by going into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. 

"Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me."

 

Scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Wednesday of Holy Week | USCCB

On this "Spy Wednesday" we hear of Judas betraying the Lord for 30 pieces of silver. This was something that Judas would go on to regret once he realizes that the scribes and pharisees were planning on killing our Lord. 

I often reflect on the grief of Judas after he realized what was to happen to our Lord. He was filled with grief, so much so that he committed suicide. Had he not been so self-centered in his grief and recall the teachings of Jesus that he most certainly must have heard, he would have realized that Jesus would have forgiven him for this sin.

Comparing him with St. Peter, who denied Jesus three times, we hear that Peter, once Jesus rose from the dead, was able to reconcile himself with the Lord. As you recall, the Lord asks him three times, "Do you love me" and Peter says, "Lord, you know I love you." It was in this three-fold admission of his love for Jesus that he received forgiveness. 

Had Judas not committed suicide and stayed to see the Lord rise from the dead, he, too, would have received the gift of forgiveness. 

How many times do we hold onto the sins of our past, thinking that the Lord will never forgive us of them? We all have something in our "closets" that we are ashamed of and may need the forgiveness of Jesus. 

During the next few days as we hear of Jesus being turned over to the authorities and die for our sins on the cross, let us place our sinfulness at the foot of His Cross and ask to be healed. And if you haven't done so yet, at first opportunity, go to confession and place your cares, worries and sins into the loving embrace of the Lord, who is there for you to forgive you your sins.