First Reading (Acts 4,13-21)
Reading of the Acts of the Apostles.
In those days, the chief priests, the elders and the scribes were amazed to see the confidence with which Peter and John spoke, as they were simple and uneducated people. They recognized that they had been with Jesus. However, they saw, standing next to them, the man who had been healed. And they couldn’t say anything to the contrary.
They ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, and they began to argue among themselves: “What are we going to do with these men? They performed a very clear miracle, and the fact became so well known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem that we cannot deny it. However, so that the thing does not spread even further among the people, we are going to threaten them, so that they will no longer tell anyone about the name of Jesus.” They called Peter and John again and ordered them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus in any way. Peter and John responded: “Judge for yourselves whether it is right with God for us to obey you and not God! As for us, we cannot remain silent about what we saw and heard.”
Then, insisting on their threats, they left Peter and John free, since they had no way of punishing them, for the people’s sake. For everyone glorified God for what had happened.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (Mc 16,9-15)
— Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
— Glory to you, Lord.
After resurrecting, at dawn on the first day after the Sabbath, Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast seven demons. She went to announce this to the followers of Jesus, who were mourning and crying. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they didn’t want to believe it.
Then Jesus appeared to two of them, in a different appearance, as they were going into the field. They also went back and announced this to the others. They also did not give credit. Finally, Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples while they were eating, rebuking them for their lack of faith and their hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen him risen.
And he said to them: “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature!”
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
My brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, I would like to begin our reflection with a scene familiar to all of us. Imagine yourself in another busy day, facing the demands of everyday life. You are surrounded by tasks, responsibilities and worries. And, in the midst of this rush, there is something that often goes unnoticed – the constant presence of God in our lives.
Yes, God is present in every moment of our day. He is present in our joys and sorrows, in our victories and defeats, in our triumphs and challenges. Sometimes we can forget this reality and feel alone or helpless. But the biblical passages we will meditate on today remind us of a deep and powerful truth: God is with us and calls us to be witnesses of His love and grace.
Our first reading, from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, presents us with a scene in the post-resurrection context of Jesus. Peter and John, simple men with no academic education, are confronted by the religious authorities of the time. These leaders are perplexed by the courage and eloquence of the apostles, for they recognize that Peter and John “were simple and uneducated men” (Acts 4:13).
This passage invites us to reflect on the importance of being authentic witnesses of God’s presence in our lives. Peter and John were not extraordinary or powerful people in and of themselves, but they were filled with the Holy Spirit. And it is this fullness of the Holy Spirit that gives them courage and eloquence to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
Just like Peter and John, we are also called to be authentic witnesses of God’s love and grace. We are called to live in such a way that those around us can see and experience the presence of God in their lives. This doesn’t mean we need to be perfect or have all the answers. It simply means opening our hearts so that the Holy Spirit can work through us.
In the Gospel of Mark, we find the narration of the encounter between the resurrected Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene, who had been freed from the dominion of darkness and experienced the transformation of Jesus’ love and mercy, is chosen by Him to be the first to witness His resurrection. Jesus appears to her and sends her to proclaim the good news to the other disciples (Mk 16:9-15).
This passage reminds us that, like Mary Magdalene, we all have a story of personal encounter with Jesus Christ. We all have experiences of His mercy and love in our lives. And, like Mary Magdalene, we are called to share these experiences with others.
Being witnesses of Jesus not only means proclaiming the resurrection with words, but also living according to his teachings. It is through our actions, attitudes and relationships that we reveal God’s love and grace to the world. We are called to be living witnesses to the transforming power of the Gospel.
To illustrate these principles, I would like to share a story with you. Some time ago, I read a moving story about a young man who went through a difficult phase in his life. He was struggling with depression, feeling lost and hopeless. One day, while walking along the beach, he came across an old fisherman.
The fisherman was casting his net into the sea, over and over again, without giving up. After several failed attempts, he finally caught a fish. The young man was intrigued by the fisherman’s perseverance and asked what motivated him to continue casting his net even in the face of difficulties. The fisherman smiled and replied, “Young man, I catch not just fish, but hope. Every time I cast my net, I believe there is something valuable waiting for me in the depths of the sea. And it is this hope that keeps me persevering.”
This story reminds us that, like the fisherman, we are also called to cast our nets of hope and testimony, even in the face of difficulties. Sometimes we may feel discouraged by life’s challenges, but it is precisely in these moments that our faith is tested and strengthened. It is through our perseverance and trust in God that we can experience his transforming grace.
Dear brothers and sisters, in light of the biblical passages we meditated on today, I want to emphasize three key themes that should guide our lives as witnesses of Jesus Christ:
Fullness of the Holy Spirit: Just like Peter and John, we are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We must open our hearts so that the Spirit can empower us with courage, wisdom, and eloquence to proclaim God’s love and grace.
Personal encounter with Jesus: Just like Mary Magdalene, we all have a story of a personal encounter with Jesus. We must share these experiences with others, revealing the transforming power of Christ in our lives.
Hope and perseverance: Like the fisherman, we are called to cast our nets of hope and testimony, even in the face of difficulties. We must persevere in faith, trusting that God is with us in all circumstances.
Now I would like to challenge each of you to reflect on how these principles apply to your daily lives. In what areas of your life do you need to be a more authentic witness to God’s love and grace? Where do you need to be filled with the Holy Spirit to face the challenges that come your way? How can you cast your nets of hope even in the face of difficulties?
Allow me to offer some practical guidance to help you on this journey:
Cultivate a life of prayer and intimacy with God. Seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit through daily prayer, studying the Word of God, and participating in the sacraments.
Share your faith story with others. Be authentic and open about the experiences of personally encountering Jesus in your life. This can be done through personal conversations, testimonies in prayer groups or even on social media.
Be a source of hope and encouragement to those around you. Be attentive to the needs of others and offer words of comfort, kind gestures and practical support whenever possible.
Stay strong in your faith, even in the face of adversity. Remember that God is bigger than any challenge you may face. Trust in His providence and allow His grace to strengthen you.
Dear brothers and sisters, we are called to be living witnesses of God’s love and grace in our lives. Just like Peter and John, like Mary Magdalene, and like the fisherman, we are called to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ through our words, actions, and personal testimony.
May we be filled with the Holy Spirit, sharing with courage and humility the experiences of a personal encounter with Jesus. May our lives be like nets of hope thrown into the world, revealing the transforming power of the Gospel.
May God, in His infinite goodness, guide and strengthen us on this journey of testimony. Amen.
