“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.