April 30, 2011
Saturday in the Octave of Easter
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." Acts 4:19-20
(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." Mark 16:14-15
Piety
Take from me, Father, all that keeps me from you.
Give to me Jesus, all that leads me to you.
Set me free, Holy Spirit, that I might live my life for you.
Study
We encounter a very different Peter today than we met in the Passion. Then, Peter denied Christ three times. The first Pope was absent from the foot of the cross. The first Pope was not around when Jesus was taken down and buried by Joseph of Aramethea and Nicodemus the Pharisee. The first Pope was not there with Mary Magdalene to be the first to see the Risen Christ.
Now, we see a bold disciple engaged in civil disobedience in order to be obedient to the higher law of God. Despite his sentence, Peter tells the judges that it is impossible “not to speak” about what he has seen and heard.
Action
Peter has changed. This we can tell. The denier has become the leader. The fisherman has become the fisher of men. The sinner has become the healer. Can we be so bold?
How do we take the Gospel message from the sanctuary to the streets? That is the whole point of Jesus’ final message to his followers: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
