Pope Francis wrote in his message for the Mission Sunday.

"Proclaim the Good News to all creation."

 Don’t be like the disciples, refusing to believe.

 'Today, if you should hear his voice, harden not your hearts'.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 4:13-21

They were astonished

At the boldness of Peter and John, considering that they were uneducated and untrained men.

They recognized, also, that they had been with Jesus,

but,as the man who had been cured stood beside them, they could make no reply.

 

So they ordered them to leave the council room while they consulted with one another.

They asked, "What shall we do with these men?

Everyone who lives in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign has been given through them, and we cannot deny it.

But to stop this from spreading any further among the people, let us warn them never again to speak to anyone in the name of Jesus."

o they called them back and charged them not to speak, or teach at all, in the name of Jesus.

 

But Peter and John answered them, "Judge for yourselves, whether it is right in God's eyes for us to obey you,

rather than God. We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

Then the council threatened them once more and let them go.

They could find no way of punishing them because of the people, who glorified God for what had happened.

 

Ps 118:1 & 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21 I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Mark 16:9-15

After Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary of Magdala,

from whom he had driven out seven demons. She went and reported the news to his followers,

who were now mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he lived, and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

After this he showed himself in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.

 

These men also went back and told the others, but they did not believe them.

Later Jesus showed himself to the Eleven while they were at table. He reproached them for their unbelief,

and hardness of heart, in refusing to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

Then he told them, "Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Proclaim the Good News to all creation."

There's a huge contrast in the attitude of the apostles in the two readings today.

The Gospel points to their firm disbelief, despite reports from others that they have seen the Risen Lord.

Finally, only when Christ appears to them in person, do they believe. Then, filled with new faith,

they are sent to "proclaim the Good News to all creation,"

and we read of the "boldness" of their preaching which astounds the High Priest and the Council in Jerusalem.

 

They will not keep silent about Jesus Christ, because their obedience to God comes before obedience to men.

A refusal to believe has been replaced with a refusal to keep silent. Perhaps we can remember the apostles'

stubbornness when we encounter friends or family who don't believe. Our witness to faith in Jesus helps others to grow in faith,

but only Christ himself can plant that initial faith in their hearts. We can't force people to believe; somehow,

 

there has to be an encounter with the Risen Christ. Let's pray for those who don't believe.

May the light of Christ shine in their hearts, that they might receive the precious gift of faith.