Saturday, April 7, 2018

Acts 4:13-21, Psalm 118: 1, 14-91, Mark 16:9-15

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS


SATURDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it. Ps 118:24



Acts 4:13-21,  Psalm 118: 1, 14-91, Mark 16:9-15

Acts 4:13-21

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

Amazement seems to be the order of the day since Pentecost. Everyone seems to be constantly in a jaw-dropping mode as they witness miracle after miracle performed in Your Name. 

The authorities look at Peter and John and judge them on their past knowledge of them as many of us are wont to do. But these are not the same frightened men that were hiding behind closed doors afraid of their own shadow. Here are bold men, strong men, confident men. They are been plunged into the very fire of the Holy Spirit and have been transformed.

The people have seen with their eyes what the power of Your Name has accomplished. However, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed not at the miracle but because they recognized Peter and John knew them to be uneducated, rough, ordinary fishermen, who were Your companions. They cannot reconcile what they know these men to be to the bold, confident men standing in front of them. They cannot imagine what caused the transformation. The proof was irrefutable. The man was lame and now he walks. The people are astounded and are praising God giving Him the glory. The Sanhedrin are wringing their hands and wondering aloud, “What are we to do with these men? All they had witnessed in the past had done nothing to change their attitude and their way of thinking. They were still only concerned about not having their power and authority undermined. So they called them back and warned them never to speak in Your Name.

Peter's response must be ours as well always. It is always right to obey God and to true to the mission that we have been entrusted not matter what the consequence may be.

Psalm 118: 1, 14-91

Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

I am called to praise and thank You in all circumstances for You are a good, gracious, and loving God. In this is power. When I align my will to Yours then I can face everything that I must in this life with grace and with equanimity. Nothing will trouble me. There will be in the center of my being an oasis of peace for the Holy Spirit within me will enable me to endure.

I thank You Beloved for the triumph of the Cross and the joy of the Resurrection. In this is our hope. Nothing that happens to us in life can crush our spirit for we have a glorious future and the promise of the inheritance of the Kingdom.

Thank You Beloved for giving us an answer to all of life's troubling questions. The Cross is the Sign of the greatest victory the world will ever know. Grant me the grace to rejoice when I am called to bear it during intervals in my own life. It is necessary in order to purify me and prepare me for the joy of everlasting life with You.

Mark 16:9-15


Dear Love, Beloved of my soul,

This is Peter narrating to Mark the evangelist what happened on the days following Your Resurrection.

It is Easter Morning. You have risen. He tells us that You first appeared to Mary Magdalene, a sinner and not only a sinner, You delivered her from seven demons who had possessed her. Wow! There is hope for us all. What an awesome privilege was granted her. Because she loved much it was her privilege to see You before the rest of the disciples. She was steadfast through the terrible events that had just occurred from the evening of Maundy Thursday to Your Burial in the evening of Good Friday. And now she was the first to come to the tomb. She too had forgotten Your promise that You would rise again on the third day. It was sorrow that brought her there and a desire to be close to You and to complete the anointing of Your Sacred Body which was done hastily the evening before.

Now Peter is admitting humbly that they did not believe her when she told them that she had seen You, neither did they believe the disciples whom You accompanied on their way to Emmaus. But when they were having a meal You came before them and You scolded them for being so stubborn and slow to believe. How easy it is for us to get so overwhelmed with sorrow that we forget that there is always a reason for hope. You are our Hope. 

The mission given to the eleven that day is our mission too:

“Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”


Grant me the courage never to back down out of fear from witnessing boldly to You Lord most especially by living a holy life.

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