April 18, 2020 Saturday in the Octave of Easter

2020년 4월 18일 부활 팔일 축제 내 토요일 

오늘의 복음 : http://info.catholic.or.kr/missa/default.asp 

제1독서

사도행전. 4,13-21
그 무렵 유다 지도자들과 원로들과 율법 학자들은
13 베드로와 요한의 담대함을 보고
또 이들이 무식하고 평범한 사람임을 알아차리고 놀라워하였다.
그리고 이들이 예수님과 함께 다니던 사람들이라는 것도 알게 되었다.
14 그러나 병이 나은 사람이 사도들 곁에 서 있는 것을 보고는
아무 반박도 하지 못하였다.
15 그래서 그들은 사도들에게 최고 의회에서 나가라고 명령한 다음,
저희끼리 의논하며 16 말하였다. “저 사람들을 어떻게 하면 좋겠습니까?
저들을 통하여 명백한 표징이 일어났다는 사실이
예루살렘의 모든 주민에게 알려진 터이고,
우리도 그것을 부인할 수가 없습니다.
17 그러니 이 일이 더 이상 백성 가운데로 퍼져 나가지 않도록,
다시는 아무에게도 그 이름으로 말하지 말라고 엄중히 경고만 합시다.”
18 그리하여 그들은 사도들을 불러
예수님의 이름으로는 절대로 말하지도 말고 가르치지도 말라고 지시하였다.
19 그러자 베드로와 요한이 그들에게 대답하였다.
“하느님의 말씀을 듣는 것보다 여러분의 말을 듣는 것이
하느님 앞에 옳은 일인지 여러분 스스로 판단하십시오.
20 우리로서는 보고 들은 것을 말하지 않을 수 없습니다.”
21 그들은 백성 때문에 그들을 처벌할 방도를 찾지 못하고
거듭 위협만 하고 풀어 주었다.
그 일로 백성이 모두 하느님을 찬양하고 있었던 것이다.

 

복음

마르코. 16,9-15” 

9 예수님께서는 주간 첫날 새벽에 부활하신 뒤,
마리아 막달레나에게 처음으로 나타나셨다.
그는 예수님께서 일곱 마귀를 쫓아 주신 여자였다.
10 그 여자는 예수님과 함께 지냈던 이들이 슬퍼하며 울고 있는 곳으로 가서,
그들에게 이 소식을 전하였다.
11 그러나 그들은 예수님께서 살아 계시며
그 여자에게 나타나셨다는 말을 듣고도 믿지 않았다.
12 그 뒤 그들 가운데 두 사람이 걸어서 시골로 가고 있을 때,
예수님께서 다른 모습으로 그들에게 나타나셨다.
13 그래서 그들이 돌아가 다른 제자들에게 알렸지만
제자들은 그들의 말도 믿지 않았다.
14 마침내, 열한 제자가 식탁에 앉아 있을 때에 예수님께서 나타나셨다.
그리고 그들의 불신과 완고한 마음을 꾸짖으셨다.
되살아난 당신을 본 이들의 말을 그들이 믿지 않았기 때문이다.
15 예수님께서는 이어서 그들에게 이르셨다.
“너희는 온 세상에 가서 모든 피조물에게 복음을 선포하여라.”

April 18, 2020
Saturday in the Octave of Easter 

Daily Readings — Audio

Daily Reflections — Video

http://www.usccb.org/bible/ 

Daily Mass : http://www.catholictv.com/shows/daily-mass 

Reading 1

Acts 4:13-21

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.
Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them,
they could say nothing in reply.
So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin,
and conferred with one another, saying,
“What are we to do with these men?
Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign
was done through them, and we cannot deny it.
But so that it may not be spread any further among the people,
let us give them a stern warning
never again to speak to anyone in this name.”

So they called them back
and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Peter and John, however, said to them in reply,
“Whether it is right in the sight of God
for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges.
It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.”
After threatening them further,
they released them,
finding no way to punish them,
on account of the people who were all praising God
for what had happened.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21 

R. (21a) I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“The right hand of the LORD is exalted;
the right hand of the LORD has struck with power.”
I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.
Though the LORD has indeed chastised me,
yet he has not delivered me to death.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.

 

Gospel

Mk 16:9-15 

When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week,
he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,
out of whom he had driven seven demons.
She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping.
When they heard that he was alive
and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

After this he appeared in another form
to two of them walking along on their way to the country.
They returned and told the others;
but they did not believe them either.

But later, as 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.
He said to them, “Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

http://evangeli.net/gospel/tomorrow

 «Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation»

Fr. Jacques PHILIPPE
(Cordes sur Ciel, France)

Today, relying on the risen Jesus, we must rediscover the Gospel as the "Good News". The Gospel is not a law that tyrannizes us. Occasionally, we may have fallen into the temptation of thinking that non-Christians are more tranquil than us and do what they want, whereas we have to abide by a list of commandments. This is a merely superficial view of things.

Personally, one of my biggest concerns is that the Gospel may always be presented as good news, happy news that fills our hearts with joy and consolation.

The teaching of Jesus is certainly demanding, but Thérèse of the Child Jesus helps us to really perceive it as a good news, since for her the Gospel is nothing but the revelation of God’s tenderness, of God’s mercy with each one of His children, and it points out to the laws of life that lead to happiness. The center of Christian life is to welcome with appreciation the kindness and the goodness of God - revelation of his merciful love - and allow us to be transformed by this love.

The spiritual journey taken by Saint Thérèse, the "little way", is an authentic way of holiness, a path with room for all, made in such a way that no one can get discouraged, neither the humblest nor the, poorest or more sinner. Thérèse anticipates thus the Vatican II Council that strongly affirms that holiness is not an exceptional way, but a call to all Christians, which nobody should be excluded from. Up to the most vulnerable and miserable men can respond to the call to holiness.

This Holiness consists of a «way all about confidence and love». Thus, «it is your arms, Jesus, which are the lift to carry me to Heaven (…).You, my God, have exceeded my hope, and I would like to sing your mercies' (St. Thérèse of Lisieux).

«Mary of Magdala went and reported the news to his followers, but they would not believe»

Fr. Raimondo M. SORGIA Mannai OP
(San Domenico di Fiesole, Florencia, Italy)

Today, the Gospel offers us the opportunity to meditate upon some aspects which each one of us has experience of: we are certain of our love for Jesus, and we consider him the best of our friends; nevertheless, who, among us, could be sure of having never betrayed him? Let us recall whether we have never ever traded him for some gaudy illusion of ours? In the second place, though we are often tempted to overrate ourselves as Christians, the testimony of our own conscience forces us nonetheless to remain silent and humiliate ourselves, imitating the publican who, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying «God have mercy on me a sinner» (Lk 18:13).

This said, we should not be surprised to see the disciples' behavior. They have personally known Jesus, they have witnessed his mind and heart capacities, the unmatched qualities of his preaching. However, when Jesus Christ had already risen, one of the women of the group —Mary of Magdala— «went and reported the news to his followers, who were now mourning and weeping» (Mk 16:10) and, instead of stopping their tear shedding and starting to dance in joy, they do not believe her. This is the evidence that the earth is the center of our gravity.

The disciples had before them the hitherto unheard of announcement of the Resurrection, and yet, they chose to keep on lamenting themselves in deep sorrow. We have sinned, yes! We have betrayed him, yes! We have celebrated some kind of pagan funeral rite, yes! From now on, it will never be again: after having beaten our chest, let us throw ourselves to his feet, our head well lifted unto heaven and... carry on!, let us get going behind him, keeping his pace. French writer Gustave Flaubert has wisely said: «I think that if we kept on looking at the sky without stopping we should end up by developing wings». As of today and forever more, man who was submerged in sin, ignorance or in half-heartedness, must know that, thanks to the Resurrection of Christ, «he finds himself immersed in bright daylight».

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

 

As one begins to read today’s gospel reading, one ought to be immediately struck by the fact that Jesus first appears not to any of his beloved disciples, not even Peter, but rather to a reformed sinner, Mary Magdalene. This former sinner, from whom Jesus had driven out seven demons, had experienced the depth of God’s mercy and who in the depth of her own heart had accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. In contrast, the disciples, as Jesus admonishes them, are filled with unbelief and hardness of heart and are reluctant to accept the testimony of others. I would like to focus our reflection on these somewhat contrasting responses that Mary Magdalene and the disciples present to the resurrection of Jesus.

Mary Magdalene having experienced the depths of God’s forgiveness and mercy was able to get over her past sinful ways and embrace New Life. She was in many ways receptive to Jesus’ message of being the resurrection and the life. But it is likely that the disciples would also have been receptive to this message. Why then their unbelief and hardness of heart? one likely reason could be that they, as the disciples of Jesus, would have expected him first to appear to them. This is definitely not an unreasonable expectation. But as we ponder and reflect over this in the context of our own lives, we realize that such a supposition could be a block or obstacle to our encountering the risen Christ in our daily lives. If we think, that because of our baptism, or our privileged status as church leaders, clergy, religious etc. we have a special claim to God revealing himself to us, we become hard of heart and close ourselves to all those ways that God reaches out to us through ordinary people and in ordinary moments of our life.

Let us pray for humility during this Easter season as we live out the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that our hearts might be supple so as to experience the risen Christ in ways that we might least expect it.

 http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

amazing grace

"The questioners were amazed." —Acts 4:13

People who have met the risen Christ are amazing. "Observing the self-assurance of Peter and John, and realizing that the speakers were uneducated men of no standing, the questioners were amazed" (Acts 4:13). Almost everyone must have been amazed that the risen Jesus "first appeared to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons" (Mk 16:9). How could Peter, who denied Christ three times, stand before thousands of people, preach fearlessly, and lead three thousand people to Christ at one time? Amazing! How could the persecutor Saul change into the Apostle Paul? He must have met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3ff). Amazing grace!

What about Barnabas selling his farm and donating the money from the sale to the Church? (Acts 4:37) That's amazing, especially for people who think tithing is a big commitment. When Stephen was stoned to death, we can't help but be amazed that he forgave his enemies (Acts 7:60).

One of the most amazing things of all was that Gentiles, such as Cornelius and his family, received the Holy Spirit and thus were obviously included in God's kingdom (Acts 10:44). This was unthinkable to the Jews after centuries of strict separation from Gentiles. The Lord even raised up a church of Gentiles, the church of Antioch (Acts 11:20ff). Absolutely amazing! The amazing people who have met the risen Christ prove how utterly amazing is His Resurrection from the dead.

Prayer:  Risen Jesus, so transform my lifestyle that others are amazed at me.

Promise:  "Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation." —Mk 16:15

Praise:  The whole Andrews family came into the Church on Easter.

 http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/

 "Go and preach the Gospel to the whole creation"

Do you believe the Lord Jesus is truly alive and ready to make his presence known to everyone who believes in him? The first to see the risen Lord was not Peter or one of the apostles, but a woman noted for her demonized living! She had been forgiven much, and loved her Master greatly. She was first at the tomb to pay her respects. Unfortunately for the disciples, they would not believe her account of the Risen Master. Jesus had to scold his apostles because of their unbelief and stubborn hearts.

The Holy Spirit makes our faith in Jesus Christ come alive
Are you like the apostles or like Mary - slow to believe or quick to run to Jesus? Do you doubt because you do not see? The Lord makes his presence known to us through the work and power of the Holy Spirit. He gives us the gift of faith to know him personally and to understand the mystery of his death and rising. Do you believe his word and do you listen to his voice?

We are Christ's ambassadors and witnesses of his victory over sin and death
After his appearance to his beloved apostles, Jesus commissions them to go and preach the Gospel to the whole creation. Their task is to proclaim the good news of salvation, not only to the people of Israel but to all the nations. This is the great commission which the risen Christ gives to the whole church. All believers have been given a share in this task - to be heralds of the good news and ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the only savior of the world. We have not been left alone in this task, for the risen Lord works in and through us by the power of his Holy Spirit. Do you witness to others the joy of the Gospel and the hope of the resurrection?

"Lord Jesus Christ, increase my faith and hope in the power of your resurrection. And give me joy and courage to be your witness to others and to boldly speak of what you have done to save us from sin and death."

Psalm 118;1, 14-21

1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever!
14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
15 Hark, glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:  "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
16 the right hand of the LORD is exalted, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!"
17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.
18 The LORD has chastened me sorely, but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you answered me and have become my salvation.

A Daily Quote for Easter Week: The Great Commission, by Augustine of Hippo, 430-543 A.D.

"The command to the apostles to be witnesses to him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even to the uttermost parts of the earth was not addressed exclusively to those to whom it was immediately spoken. They alone would not be the only ones who would carry such an enormous task to completion. Similarly he seems to be speaking to the apostles very personally when he says: "Behold I am with you even to the end of the world," yet who does not know that he made this promise to the universal church which will last from now even to the consummation of the world by successive births and deaths?" (excerpt from Letter 199, To Hesychius 49)

  

More Homilies

April 7, 2018 Saturday in the Octave of Easter