First Reading
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
Psalm 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
Mark 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.”
“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.” (Psalm 118:17-18)
REFLECTION
We are all in the same situation right now – stuck in the everyday cycle of staying inside our homes, doing the same activities we did not really plan on doing. We are given the opportunity to do whatever it is we can think of, to entertain ourselves, or distract us from everything happening in the outside world.
Some of us should have already graduated, enjoyed prom, or have went on vacation with our friends and family. The possibilities of what could have been are endless, and it may sadden some, looking at we are now. We can hardly stand this dreadful crisis we never wanted. Some even keep complaining about the current situation.
I was like this throughout the start of this lockdown. Although, I managed to change my perception of things and look more into things I am grateful for, such as food, shelter, and all the time in the world to focus on myself and regain a healthier and better lifestyle. I also get to bond more with my family. Most importantly, I could rest, which was something I have been longing for and am now blessed with. When I look at it, it does not even seem that I am in the worst situation.
I want to encourage everyone to continue praying for those people struggling to meet their needs, the medical workers, along with all the frontliners. There is hope for a better tomorrow. It states in one of today’s verses that we are not dead, but currently living. Although the Lord has chastised us with this crisis, He has not ended our lives. This is just a minor setback. We should see that we will get through this altogether and that life will go on no matter what. We should only place our faith and trust in the Lord, as He works and delivers His plans for us.
Prayer
Dearest Lord, thank You for this day, for giving us time to rest and focus on ourselves. Thank you for bringing us closer to our families and keeping us safe in our homes. We pray that You may give strength to all our frontliners, and competence for our government leaders to make better decisions. Guide each and everyone of us throughout this pandemic. Amen.
Author
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Photo by Chris Barbalis (@cbarbalis at unsplash.com)
Little Whispers 