This day was made by the Lord:
we rejoice and are glad. PS 117:24
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ACTS 4:13-21
We live in a perverted world where good is considered evil and evil good. It boggles the mind when in our own world, we see how far the depraved with power to force their own version of good and evil, and are prepared to go to any extent to ram their craven ideology on the majority who desire to have no part in their crazed, demonic, and twisted beliefs.
We live in a perverted world where good is considered evil and evil good. It boggles the mind when in our own world, we see how far the depraved with power to force their own version of good and evil, and are prepared to go to any extent to ram their craven ideology on the majority who desire to have no part in their crazed, demonic, and twisted beliefs.
The rulers, elders, and scribes now find themselves on the back foot. Having put You to death, Lord, and pretty much expecting that their problems were at an end, they now find that Your disciples are unrecognizable. Filled with the zeal of the Holy Spirit, they preach You fearlessly and perform miracles in Your glorious Name. Threats of imprisonment, flogging, and even death are meaningless; they are all prepared to endure all for Your sake and for the sake of the Gospel.
Grant, O my beloved Jesus, that I too may be fearless in preaching the Good News by the witness of my life. In my own little way, may I be light and salt in the world.
The rulers, elders and scribes were astonished at the assurance shown by Peter and John, considering they were uneducated laymen; and they recognised them as associates of Jesus; but when they saw the man who had been cured standing by their side, they could find no answer. So they ordered them to stand outside while the Sanhedrin had a private discussion. ‘What are we going to do with these men?’ they asked. ‘It is obvious to everybody in Jerusalem that a miracle has been worked through them in public, and we cannot deny it. But to stop the whole thing spreading any further among the people, let us caution them never to speak to anyone in this name again.’
But Peter and John retorted, ‘You must judge whether in God’s eyes it is right to listen to you and not to God. We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard.’
PSALM 117(118):1,14-21
I will thank you, Lord, for you have given answer.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
for his love has no end.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
he was my saviour.
There are shouts of joy and victory
in the tents of the just.
The Lord’s right hand has triumphed;
his right hand raised me up.
I shall not die, I shall live
and recount his deeds.
I was punished, I was punished by the Lord,
but not doomed to die.
Open to me the gates of holiness:
I will enter and give thanks.
This is the Lord’s own gate
where the just may enter.
I will thank you for you have answered
and you are my saviour.
I will thank you, Lord, for you have given answer.
MARK 16:9-15
My Soul's Beloved,
Once our sins, no matter how grave and how numerous, are forgiven, we are washed clean in Your precious Blood, and restored to new life, You keep no record of our past infidelities. You make us a new creation in You we are free, liberated, and we are empowered to go and tell everyone what You have done for us, how You have forgiven us and how everyone who desires to be free from slavery to sin has only to approach You with a contrite and humble heart and a repentant spirit.
Mary of Magdala was not defined by her past, yes, she was demon-possessed, but once You cast them out, she used her newfound freedom to follow You closely. She became an ardent disciple. She never forgot what You had done for her and how You saved her, and she served You with a glad heart. Her reward for loving much was rewarded. You singled her out from the rest and appeared first to her, and made her the first evangelist. She was entrusted with carrying the Good News of Your resurrection to the rest of the disciples.
They did not believe her, nor did they believe the other two disciples who returned from Emmaus with the Good News that they had seen You. Too often, Beloved, despite every indication that You are always with us and that we can trust You in every situation, we still whine and complain. Forgive me, Lord, when I am anxious and worried, even when I know that You have promised to remain with me always and that everything that occurs in my life will work out for good. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.
Having risen in the morning on the first day of the week, Jesus appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out seven devils. She then went to those who had been his companions, and who were mourning and in tears, and told them. But they did not believe her when they heard her say that he was alive and that she had seen him.
Having risen in the morning on the first day of the week, Jesus appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out seven devils. She then went to those who had been his companions, and who were mourning and in tears, and told them. But they did not believe her when they heard her say that he was alive and that she had seen him.
Lastly, he showed himself to the Eleven themselves while they were at table. He reproached them for their incredulity and obstinacy, because they had refused to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.’
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