Akhsi Wary csc –
Readings: Acts 4:13-21; Mk 16:9-15
The Gospel reading gives us an account of three appearances of the Risen Lord. The risen Christ first appears to Mary Magdalene, but the others did not believe her. Then he appears to the two of his disciples on the road, but again the other disciples don’t believe their report either.
So, when Jesus appears to the eleven, he scolds them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, and then, now that they are convinced by first-hand experience, boldly sends them off “to preach the gospel to whole creation.” Indeed, we need and should have some kind of experience and knowledge to move forward. That is what exactly we see in the life of the apostles.
After having experience of risen Christ how boldly and publicly they preached and healed! We see in first reading some rulers and elders who try to intimidate Peter and John to get them to stop this talk about the dead teacher. But in return Peter and John say, politely, “Should we obey you or God?”
This early Christian community was led and empowered by the Holy Spirit and in the same way we too are in the community of faith to which we belong and are led by the risen Jesus and empowered by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, if we find ourselves sometimes unbelieving and hard of heart, (like the disciples who at first did not dare to believe the testimony of Mary Magdalene or the Emmaus couple) let us listen once again to the testimony of many saints and people of goodwill who are our source of motivation, inspiration and guidance in our journey towards God.