Saturday in the Octave of Easter
Lectionary: 266
Lectionary: 266
Observing the boldness of Peter
and John
and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men,
the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed,
and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus.
Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them,
they could say nothing in reply.
So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin,
and conferred with one another, saying,
“What are we to do with these men?
Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign
was done through them, and we cannot deny it.
But so that it may not be spread any further among the people,
let us give them a stern warning
never again to speak to anyone in this name.”
and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men,
the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed,
and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus.
Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them,
they could say nothing in reply.
So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin,
and conferred with one another, saying,
“What are we to do with these men?
Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign
was done through them, and we cannot deny it.
But so that it may not be spread any further among the people,
let us give them a stern warning
never again to speak to anyone in this name.”
So they called them back
and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Peter and John, however, said to them in reply,
“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.”
After threatening them further,
they released them,
finding no way to punish them,
on account of the people who were all praising God
for what had happened.
and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Peter and John, however, said to them in reply,
“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.”
After threatening them further,
they released them,
finding no way to punish them,
on account of the people who were all praising God
for what had happened.
Responsorial
Psalm118:1 AND 14-15AB, 16-18, 19-21
R. (21a) I will give thanks to
you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“The right hand of the LORD is exalted;
the right hand of the LORD has struck with power.”
I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.
Though the LORD has indeed chastised me,
yet he has not delivered me to death.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“The right hand of the LORD is exalted;
the right hand of the LORD has struck with power.”
I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.
Though the LORD has indeed chastised me,
yet he has not delivered me to death.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaPS 118:24
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 16:9-15
When Jesus had risen, early on the
first day of the week,
he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,
out of whom he had driven seven demons.
She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping.
When they heard that he was alive
and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,
out of whom he had driven seven demons.
She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping.
When they heard that he was alive
and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
After this he appeared in another
form
to two of them walking along on their way to the country.
They returned and told the others;
but they did not believe them either.
to two of them walking along on their way to the country.
They returned and told the others;
but they did not believe them either.
But later, as the Eleven were at
table, he appeared to them
and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart
because they had not believed those
who saw him after he had been raised.
He said to them, “Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart
because they had not believed those
who saw him after he had been raised.
He said to them, “Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Meditation: "Go and preach the Gospel to the whole
creation"
Do
you believe the Lord Jesus is truly alive and ready to make his presence known
to everyone who believes in him? The first to see the risen Lord
was not Peter or one of the apostles, but a woman noted for her demonized
living! She had been forgiven much, and loved her Master greatly. She was first
at the tomb to pay her respects. Unfortunately for the disciples, they would
not believe her account of the Risen Master. Jesus had to scold his apostles
because of their unbelief and stubborn hearts.
The
Holy Spirit makes our faith in Jesus Christ come alive
Are you like the apostles or like Mary - slow to believe or quick to run to Jesus? Do you doubt because you do not see? The Lord makes his presence known to us through the work and power of the Holy Spirit. He gives us the gift of faith to know him personally and to understand the mystery of his death and rising. Do you believe his word and do you listen to his voice?
Are you like the apostles or like Mary - slow to believe or quick to run to Jesus? Do you doubt because you do not see? The Lord makes his presence known to us through the work and power of the Holy Spirit. He gives us the gift of faith to know him personally and to understand the mystery of his death and rising. Do you believe his word and do you listen to his voice?
We
are Christ's ambassadors and witnesses of his victory over sin and death
After his appearance to his beloved apostles, Jesus commissions them to go and preach the Gospel to the whole creation. Their task is to proclaim the good news of salvation, not only to the people of Israel but to all the nations. This is the great commission which the risen Christ gives to the whole church. All believers have been given a share in this task - to be heralds of the good news and ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the only savior of the world. We have not been left alone in this task, for the risen Lord works in and through us by the power of his Holy Spirit. Do you witness to others the joy of the Gospel and the hope of the resurrection?
After his appearance to his beloved apostles, Jesus commissions them to go and preach the Gospel to the whole creation. Their task is to proclaim the good news of salvation, not only to the people of Israel but to all the nations. This is the great commission which the risen Christ gives to the whole church. All believers have been given a share in this task - to be heralds of the good news and ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the only savior of the world. We have not been left alone in this task, for the risen Lord works in and through us by the power of his Holy Spirit. Do you witness to others the joy of the Gospel and the hope of the resurrection?
"Lord
Jesus Christ, increase my faith and hope in the power of your resurrection. And
give me joy and courage to be your witness to others and to boldly speak of
what you have done to save us from sin and death."
A Daily Quote for
Easter Week: The Great Commission, by Augustine of
Hippo, 430-543 A.D.
"The
command to the apostles to be witnesses to him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria,
and even to the uttermost parts of the earth was not addressed exclusively to
those to whom it was immediately spoken. They alone would not be the only ones
who would carry such an enormous task to completion. Similarly he seems to be
speaking to the apostles very personally when he says: "Behold I am with
you even to the end of the world," yet who does not know that he made this
promise to the universal church which will last from now even to the
consummation of the world by successive births and deaths?" (excerpt
from Letter 199, To Hesychius 49)
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, MARK 16:9-15
SATURDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER
(Acts 4:13-21; Psalm 118)
SATURDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER
(Acts 4:13-21; Psalm 118)
KEY VERSE: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature" (v 15).
TO KNOW: This section of Mark's Gospel (verses 9-20) is termed the "Longer Ending." It is believed that this material was added later from other traditions to complete what was thought to be an abrupt ending of the empty tomb in Mark's gospel. The longer version includes Christ's appearance to Mary Magdalene (see Jn 20:1-18), and to two disciples on a country road to Emmaus (see Lk 24:13-24). The disciples did not believe any of these witnesses, and later, when they "were at table" (Mark 16:14, Eucharist), the Lord appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief. Jesus then commissioned his followers to go into the world and proclaim the message of salvation to everyone. But Mark's purpose in writing was complete; Jesus was raised from the dead just as he told his followers. Mark’s message encouraged the Christian community to be fearless in announcing the gospel of Jesus. Mark’s original ending leaves his readers to “complete” his Gospel by the way they live their lives.
TO LOVE: Have I the courage to share the good news with those who do not believe?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, help me to believe that you are with us always.
Saturday 18 April 2020
Acts 4:13-21. I praise you, Lord, for you have answered
me – Psalm 117(118):1, 14-21. Mark 16:9-15.
Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News
Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and the Disciples in different
ways after his resurrection. Encountering Jesus intimately led them to believe.
What is interesting in today’s Gospel is the fact that he appeared to them.
They were not seeking him. Focusing on ‘finding’ Jesus is a common Christian
ideal. Reflecting on the reading one might be inspired to simply wait for
Jesus. Rather than seeking to find him in a moment or in a person, let him
appear to you. Loving the unlovable should not be forced or a matter of
discipline. If we sit with the other and allow Jesus to reveal himself, we
might truly be able to see what he sees and love as we should. Have faith. He
will come to you when you can’t see him in the person in front of you or when
you are not forcing yourself to seek him. Believe.
Blessed James Oldo
Saint of the Day for April 18
(1364 – April 18, 1404)
 |
| Photo of Il Tempio Civico della Beata Vergine Incoronata | photo by Giovanni Novara |
Blessed James Oldo’s Story
You’ve heard rags-to-riches stories. Today, we celebrate the
reverse.
James of Oldo was born into a well-to-do family near Milan in
1364. He married a woman who like him, appreciated the comforts that came with
wealth. But an outbreak of the plague drove James, his wife, and their three
children out of their home and into the countryside. Despite those precautions,
two of his daughters died from the plague. James determined to use whatever
time he had left to build up treasures in heaven and to build God’s realm on
earth.
He and his wife became Secular Franciscans. James gave up his
old lifestyle and did penance for his sins. He cared for a sick priest, who
taught him Latin. Upon the death of his wife, James himself became a priest.
His house was transformed into a chapel where small groups of people, many of
them fellow Secular Franciscans, came for prayer and support. James focused on
caring for the sick and for prisoners of war. He died in 1404 after contracting
a disease from one of his patients.
James Oldo was beatified in 1933.
Reflection
The death of those we love brings a troubling awareness of our
own mortality. James had that experience when he gazed into a friend’s grave,
and it brought him to his senses. He determined to use whatever time he had
left to build up treasures in heaven and to build God’s realm on earth. Our
time is limited, too. We can use it well or foolishly: The choice is ours.
Lectio Divina: Mark 16:9-15
Lectio Divina
Saturday, April 18, 2020
Easter Time
1) Opening prayer
Our God and Father,
Your Son Jesus lived among us,
flesh of our flesh, blood of our blood.
He died for our sake
and You raised Him back to life.
May we experience His love and His presence
to such an extent
that we can never stop proclaiming
what we have seen and heard,
and that people may give glory to You, our God.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
Your Son Jesus lived among us,
flesh of our flesh, blood of our blood.
He died for our sake
and You raised Him back to life.
May we experience His love and His presence
to such an extent
that we can never stop proclaiming
what we have seen and heard,
and that people may give glory to You, our God.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Mark 16:9-15
When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he
appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She
went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard
that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After this he
appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the
country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them
either. But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked
them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those
who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel is part of a broader literary unit (Mk 16:9-20)
which presents a list or summary of diverse apparitions of Jesus: (a) Jesus
appears to Mary Magdalene, but the disciples do not accept her testimony (Mk
16:9-11); (b) Jesus appears to the disciples, but the others do not accept
their testimony (Mk 16:12-13); (c) Jesus appears to the eleven; He criticizes their
lack of faith and orders them to announce the Good News to all (Mk 16:14-18);
(d) Jesus ascends to heaven and continues to cooperate with the disciples (Mk
16:19-20).
• Besides this list of apparitions in the Gospel of Mark, there are other lists of apparitions which do not always coincide among themselves. For example, the list kept by Paul in the Letter to the Corinthians is very different (1 Cor 15:3-8). This variety shows that at the beginning the Christians were not concerned with proving the Resurrection by means of the apparitions. For them faith in the Resurrection was so evident and alive that there was no need to prove it. A person sunbathing on the shore is not concerned with showing that the sun exists, because she herself, sun burnt, is the evidence of the existence of the sun. The communities, existing in the midst of the immense Empire, were a living proof of the Resurrection. The list of the apparitions began to appear later, in the second generation, in order to refute the criticism of opponents.
• Mark 16:9-11: Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, but the other disciples do not believe her. Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene. She goes to announce this to the others. To come into the world, God wanted to depend on the womb of a young girl 15 or 16 years old, called Mary of Nazareth (Lk 1:38). To be recognized alive in our midst, He wants to depend on the announcement of a woman who had been liberated from seven devils, also called Mary, of Magdala! (This is why she was called Mary Magdalene). But the others did not believe her. Mark says that Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene. In the list of apparitions, recorded in the letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor 15:3-8), the apparitions of Jesus to the women are not mentioned. The first Christians had difficulty believing in the testimony of women. It is shameful!
• Mark 16:12-13: Jesus appears to the disciples, but the others do not believe them. Without too many details, Mark refers to an apparition of Jesus to two disciples, “while they were on their way into the country.” This is perhaps a reference to the apparition of Jesus to the disciples at Emmaus, narrated by Luke (Lk 24:13-35). Mark insists on saying that “the others did not believe them either”.
• Mark 16:14-15: Jesus criticizes the unbelief and orders them to announce the Good News to all creatures. For this reason, Jesus appears to the eleven and reproaches them because they did not believe the people who had seen Him in His resurrected body. Once again, Mark refers to the resistance of the disciples in refusing to believe the testimony of those who have experienced the Resurrection of Jesus. Why? Probably to teach three things: in the first place, that faith in Jesus passes through the faith in the people who give witness; in the second place, that nobody should be discouraged when doubt or unbelief arises in the heart; in the third place, to refute the claim of those who said that the Christian is naïve and accepts any news uncritically, because the eleven had great difficulty accepting the truth of the Resurrection!
• Today’s Gospel ends with the sending forth: “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Gospel to all creation!” Jesus confers upon them the mission to announce the Good News to all creatures.
• Besides this list of apparitions in the Gospel of Mark, there are other lists of apparitions which do not always coincide among themselves. For example, the list kept by Paul in the Letter to the Corinthians is very different (1 Cor 15:3-8). This variety shows that at the beginning the Christians were not concerned with proving the Resurrection by means of the apparitions. For them faith in the Resurrection was so evident and alive that there was no need to prove it. A person sunbathing on the shore is not concerned with showing that the sun exists, because she herself, sun burnt, is the evidence of the existence of the sun. The communities, existing in the midst of the immense Empire, were a living proof of the Resurrection. The list of the apparitions began to appear later, in the second generation, in order to refute the criticism of opponents.
• Mark 16:9-11: Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, but the other disciples do not believe her. Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene. She goes to announce this to the others. To come into the world, God wanted to depend on the womb of a young girl 15 or 16 years old, called Mary of Nazareth (Lk 1:38). To be recognized alive in our midst, He wants to depend on the announcement of a woman who had been liberated from seven devils, also called Mary, of Magdala! (This is why she was called Mary Magdalene). But the others did not believe her. Mark says that Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene. In the list of apparitions, recorded in the letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor 15:3-8), the apparitions of Jesus to the women are not mentioned. The first Christians had difficulty believing in the testimony of women. It is shameful!
• Mark 16:12-13: Jesus appears to the disciples, but the others do not believe them. Without too many details, Mark refers to an apparition of Jesus to two disciples, “while they were on their way into the country.” This is perhaps a reference to the apparition of Jesus to the disciples at Emmaus, narrated by Luke (Lk 24:13-35). Mark insists on saying that “the others did not believe them either”.
• Mark 16:14-15: Jesus criticizes the unbelief and orders them to announce the Good News to all creatures. For this reason, Jesus appears to the eleven and reproaches them because they did not believe the people who had seen Him in His resurrected body. Once again, Mark refers to the resistance of the disciples in refusing to believe the testimony of those who have experienced the Resurrection of Jesus. Why? Probably to teach three things: in the first place, that faith in Jesus passes through the faith in the people who give witness; in the second place, that nobody should be discouraged when doubt or unbelief arises in the heart; in the third place, to refute the claim of those who said that the Christian is naïve and accepts any news uncritically, because the eleven had great difficulty accepting the truth of the Resurrection!
• Today’s Gospel ends with the sending forth: “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Gospel to all creation!” Jesus confers upon them the mission to announce the Good News to all creatures.
4) Personal questions
• Which of these: Mary Magdalene, the two disciples of Emmaus,
or the eleven disciples, had the greatest difficulty believing in the
Resurrection? Why? With whom do I identify?
• What can convince people of the presence of Jesus in our midst?
• What can convince people of the presence of Jesus in our midst?
5) Concluding Prayer
May God show kindness and bless us,
and make His face shine on us.
Then the earth will acknowledge Your ways,
and all nations Your power to save. (Ps 67:1-2)
and make His face shine on us.
Then the earth will acknowledge Your ways,
and all nations Your power to save. (Ps 67:1-2)
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