By Amalraj A csc –
Readings: Acts 4: 13-21; Mk 16: 9-15
Both the readings of the day speak about confession of faith. Chronologically the events of the gospel reading took place first after which the narration in the first reading took place.
The disciples who stayed with Jesus and witnessed all that he did and spoke are finding it difficult to believe the words of Mary Magdalene and the other two disciples to whom Jesus appeared. Humanly speaking their doubt was true. But seeing the incident in the light of their experience with Jesus, it was not appreciable on the part of the disciples to have unbelief.
The first reading describes the conviction and enthusiasm they had in proclaiming the resurrected Christ. The drastic change takes place in their lives as they received the Holy Spirit the helper. The frightened disciples became courageous to the extent they were not worried even when they were warned several times by the council not to speak in the name of Jesus.
Right from our childhood, we are taught in our catechism about the teachings of Jesus Christ. We are encouraged to profess our faith in Jesus through our life. We received the Holy Spirit as we received the sacrament of Confirmation, and by the sacrament of Confession the Spirit was stirred in us. Now the greater part of the responsibility lies with us to proclaim Christ by our words and deeds. We cannot deny the challenge faced in proclaiming Christ. Most of the time the temptation is to save ourselves without really facing the challenges in the ministry. We all need to remember that the Cross is the only way to reach Christ.
Had Jesus run away from challenges,
We would not have a resurrected Christ.
Had the disciples remained silent after the warnings of the council,
The Church would not have been established.
Had the martyrs failed in their faith,
They would not have been special personalities.
If we wish to give the same faith to our descendants,
We cannot but embrace the crosses.