DAILY- HOMILY

April 27, 2019 -  SATURDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER

White.

Acts 4: 13 – 21 / Mk 16: 9 – 15

FROM THE 1ST READING:             Acts 4: 13 – 14, 19 – 20

They were astonished at the boldness of Peter and John, considering that they were uneducated and untrained men. They recognized, also, that they had been with Jesus, but as the man who had been cured stood beside them, they could make no reply. . .

Peter and John answered them, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's eyes for us to obey you, rather than God. We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard. "

Gospel Reading:               Mk 16: 9 – 15

After Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom he had driven out seven demons. She went and reported the news to his followers, who were now mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he lived and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

After this he showed himself in another form to two of them, as they were walking in the country. These men too, went back and told the others, but they did not believe them.

Later Jesus showed himself to the Eleven while they were at table. He reproached them for their unbelief and stubbornness in refusing to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

Then he told them, "Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation."

REFLECTION

It is easy to believe something consistent with reality – honor graduates topping licensure examinations and landing lucrative jobs, crafty businessmen doing well, former criminals being returned to jail.

If we see exceptions to our general expectations, we have trouble believing. In the first reading the Pharisees and leaders of the Jews cannot accept the cure of the lame man and the wise replies of the untrained and uneducated apostles Peter and John. Peter and John reminded them of the signs performed by Jesus and the learning of the carpenter Jesus as he taught.

It is understandable that the disciples of Jesus were skeptical of the stories that the body of Jesus had disappeared from the tomb and that the risen Christ had appeared to some women. Even the apostle Thomas had said, "Unless I have seen in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." (Jn 20: 25)

But, as the angel Gabriel had told Mary at the Annunciation, "With God nothing is impossible." (Lk 1: 37) And indeed the all-powerful God is the God of surprises, so unpredictable in his acts and choices.

Let us pray to God to strengthen our faith and trust in him and in his power: "You believe because you have seen me, don't you? Happy are those who have not seen and believe." (Jn 20: 29)

FINALLY, WE PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ASKED OUR PRAYERS AND FOR THOSE WHO NEED OUR PRAYERS THE MOST. 

Have a good day!

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