April 23 2022

First reading Acts 4:13-21

We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard

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.’

So they called them in and gave them a warning on no account to make statements or to teach in the name of Jesus. 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.’ The court repeated the warnings and then released them; they could not think of any way to punish them, since all the people were giving glory to God for what had happened.

Responsorial Psalm 117(118):1,14-21

I will thank you, Lord, for you have given answer.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

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.

I will thank you, Lord, for you have given answer.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

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.

I will thank you, Lord, for you have given answer.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

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.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Sequence

Victimae Paschali Laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim

offer sacrifice and praise.

The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb;

and Christ, the undefiled,

hath sinners to his Father reconciled.

Death with life contended:

combat strangely ended!

Life’s own Champion, slain,

yet lives to reign.

Tell us, Mary:

say what thou didst see

upon the way.

The tomb the Living did enclose;

I saw Christ’s glory as he rose!

The angels there attesting;

shroud with grave-clothes resting.

Christ, my hope, has risen:

he goes before you into Galilee.

That Christ is truly risen

from the dead we know.

Victorious king, thy mercy show!

Gospel Acclamation Ps117:24

Alleluia, alleluia!

This day was made by the Lord:

we rejoice and are glad.

Alleluia!

Gospel Mark 16:9-15

Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News

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.

After this, he showed himself under another form to two of them as they were on their way into the country. These went back and told the others, who did not believe them either.

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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Jesus never stop trusting in us

Jesus appeared to Mary Magdala and the two disciples of Emmaus. They went back to tell the other disciples, but they did not believe them. Finally, Jesus appeared to the disciples themselves. Though He pointed out their “incredulity and obstinacy”, Jesus continued to put His faith in them and sent them out to proclaim the good news of Easter. Because Jesus did not give up on them, the disciples eventually went out fearlessly to preach the good news. In the first reading, the Jewish leaders warned Peter and John not to speak of Jesus anymore, but they firmly declared, “We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard”. The risen Christ transformed their stubbornness to courageous faith.

Jesus never gives up on us. He continues to wait for us to recognise His loving presence with us. Doubtful as we are, weak as we are, indifferent as we are, Jesus entrusts us to share His mission of proclaiming the Easter message to those around us.

Question for reflection:
Today, how can I share the good news that Jesus is alive?

Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.