Acts 4:13-21, Psalm 118:1, 14-21, Mark 16:9-15

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Acts 4:13-21, Psalm 118:1, 14-21, Mark 16:9-15

Acts 4:13-21

The Elders in today's first reading are so much like the elitists in our day and age.  They are wonder struck to see that God uses who He wills to accomplish His work.  He does not choose the ones that are qualified in the eyes of the world but He seeks out and uses the least in order to work marvels so it is clear that it is He and His power that are at work.  In the face of the obvious, the Elders are helpless and all they can do is bluster and threaten dire consequences if Peter and John continue to preach You whom they thought they had rid themselves of for good. Now they see how miserably wrong they were.  The Truth speaks for itself.  The man who was healed is a witness to the fact of the power in the Name of the One they had crucified.  

If we lived by the same rule as as Peter and John who said, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's eyes for us to obey You rather than God." Beloved, grant me the grace, strength and courage to witness to You in every area of my life in secret and in public Amen!

Psalm 118:1, 14-21

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His loving kindness endures forever.

My Beloved, God has raised You up.  You tasted vinegar, gall and death for our sake so we could be spared the punishment that was rightly ours.  God has raised You and with You we too enter into life.  Thank You my Lord and my God for having rescued from eternal death and granted us the promise of eternal life.

Mark 16:9-15

My Beloved,Mary Magdalene is proof that no matter ho greatly we may have sinned, with Your help we can be counted among the saints and we can live in sweet intimacy with You.  Se, a sinner, was the first reported witness to Your resurrection from the dead, she was the one chosen to give the glad tidings to the men who had failed so miserably a a time when their love and friendship would have meant so much to You.

How difficult it is for them to believe that You would choose to reveal Yourself to her rather than to them.  It is only when You appeared to them as well that they believed - but the fact that it was Mary Magdalene to whom You first appeared is cause for joy for all who have sinned and have been forgiven.  In You my Beloved there is no condemnation not even for the friends who deserted You, there is only mercy, compassion forgiveness and love. 

I am glad You reproached them for not believing my Lord and I am glad that is is recorded that You did.  We cannot take You for granted.  Shame for our sinful past together with a healthy dose of humility is powerful medicine.  We too who call ourselves Your followers and disciples have received the same mission.  Grant us a full measure of Your Holy Spirit who will equip us to carry it out faithfully.