Mark 16:9-15 Go out into all the world

The mission of the Holy Catholic Church takes itself directly from Christ Jesus.  He always gathered to him those who needed healing, those who responded to his call, he taught them, then sent them out to others to share the Good News.  The first reading is from Acts of the Apostles: "Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus."  The Apostles and others were just like the vast majority of us.  Yet, they were called to their respective vocations, ministries, and missions that Christ assigned to them, just like we are. 

The others called to accompany Christ Jesus through his ministry were not just the Apostles, but the other disciples chosen to bear witness to the Kingdom, Christ's death, and Resurrection.  The Gospel tells us about Mary Magdalene, "...he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons."  He healed her and saved her.  How many of us have demons, real, imaginary, and those caused by mental trauma or disease, that plague us and hold us back.  Yet she was called just as we are.  What about the two on the road to Emmaus to whom he appeared in a different form?  They were just average guys trying to get on with their lives.  Yet, they too were summoned to bear witness to the Glory of the Resurrected Lord.  And yet these witnesses "returned and told the others; but they (the Apostles) did not believe them either."

Sometimes we are called to do things that we know are right, even though it is difficult, even though others will laugh at us and won't believe.  Doing what is right is sometimes very tough.  Yet in the end we will be judged not by others, but by Christ.  We will be vindicated for our righteousness and living in the Truth by him for we read in the Gospel, "the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them
and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised."  These first witnesses of the Resurrection were vindicated by God.  We are to all go forth and proclaim the Good News!  Alleluia!

Mark 16: 15-18 Go Out to All the World

In today's Gospel we hear Jesus tell the eleven, "Go into the whole world  and proclaim the Gospel to every creature."  Several Christian sects do this very well.  Frequently we identify Jehovah's Witnesses in groups canvassing neighborhoods, or Mormons on their mission wearing their slacks and pressed white shirts usually on bicycles, both sects knocking on doors to spread the Good News.

What about Catholics?  In our Creed we affirm that we are "One, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church."  This means that we as Catholics are likewise being sent out into the world to bring the world into communion with God.  Christ was sent by God.  He tells us "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." (John 20:21)  He gave us the Holy Spirit to be with us and help us as we are sent out to spread that Good News.  As Catholics we are not confined to knocking on doors.  Instead we are reminded that the Good News is a path, a way of life we are to follow.  Let every action and word, though seemingly unimportant, be made part of your apostolic mission so that your very life becomes a living example of the Good News lived and example to others.  Saint Paul was a living example of how to do this.  Today we celebrate his conversion experience.  Let him be our guide in sharing the good news by our very lives. 

Luke 1-26:38 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Today's Gospel reading is the same as those from Tuesday, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  A beloved deacon I knew used to tell me that whenever I saw a reading twice in the same week, pay attention! 

In the story of the Annunciation we are given only two phrases that Mary speaks herself, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" and, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to  your word."  What should impress us most is that these words contain no fear.  In one she asks a question relating to a fact that she knows to be true.  In the second she fully commits herself with courage and faith to God's plan.  It indicates that she knew that she had a choice.  She could have said 'no'.  She could have been apathetic, which is also a choice.  Instead she chooses to live out God's will through her. 

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  We honor Our Lady and remember the story as she appeared to St. Juan Diego calling him to serve God, similar to the way that the Angel Gabriel appeared to her calling her to serve God. Through her, Juan Diego was led closer to her son, Jesus Christ. Through following God's will, so many more would come to follow the Son and know the Way, the Truth and the Life that leads to the eternal kingdom.  Because of her eternal love, watchfulness and protection that leads to Christ, we honor our Lady who bore the Christ Child.  Indeed as she appeared to Juan Diego, Christ radiated from within her. 

Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe from St. Juan Diego's tilma

 

Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Today's Gospel surprises us a little because it is a warning that if we do not heed Christ Jesus' words, we will not be able to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  There are those who will cry out to him but do not follow him, and those who listen but do not obey. 

It seems really harsh in our current era of political correctness we want everyone to be equal and have a "fair share."  That isn't what Jesus is telling us though.  Jesus is reminding us to be vigilant and build within ourselves that firm foundation in Him, in the Father through the Holy Spirit.  Faith is always accompanied by good works.  Upon what does our faith rest?  It rests upon the word of God.  It is his will that we put before our own in faith.  To love God is to desire sincerely to love him.  Because we love him, we wish to be instruments of his love and peace for others in doing his will and spreading the Good News.  In this end, our faith will save us.