SATURDAY APRIL 6, 2024
SATURDAY OF EASTER OCTAVE B
Acts 4:13-21
Mark 16:9-15
WITNESSING TO THE FACT OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
The fact of the resurrection of Jesus was very difficult to deny. Jesus after his resurrection continued to appear to his disciples and to convince them that life has been restored in him. This was the joy and happiness of the apostles. They could not deny this fact that Jesus was risen.
Beginning from this time, the apostles began showing that Jesus was risen by their teaching and miracles. Peter and John witnessed to the resurrection by healing the crippled man at the beautiful gate. Even when accosted by the leaders, priests and the Pharisees, these apostles Peter and John swore with their lives that it was the name of Jesus that brought that healing and that Jesus had risen. And it is from there that the miraculous powers came from which healed the cripple. They continued witnessing to the fact of the resurrection of Jesus.
In the reading of today, the bullying, threats and the warnings of these pharisees, elders of the people and the scribes could not persuade the apostles to deny the resurrection event and the powers of Christ. They held their ground and proclaimed that Jesus is risen and nothing can be denied of this fact. So teaching in his name is non-negotiable.
The gospel of today recounted the many appearances of Jesus after the resurrection. And at the end, the evangelist Mark, gave the indication that the resurrection of Christ calls us to begin witnessing to this fact and truth. We are therefore made disciples to go and proclaim this message that Jesus is risen and we have a share in this new life.
Go and make disciples of all nation is therefore the mandate to proclaim Christ to the world as the Saviour and redeemer of the world. We must then be prepared to become witnesses of the resurrection event. This can be done as John and Peter did, by proclaiming to the entire world, by living good morally upright lives, by showing such power of the resurrection in our daily life and struggles through life.
All that Jesus wants it to tell the world that our sins have been blotted out, as seen in that fact of Mary Magdalene who was a sinner but granted the privilege of being the first to witness the appearance of Jesus after the resurrection. So it becomes known that our sins or past lives are no more obstacle to the new life of the blessed in Jesus Christ. The resurrection draws all men back to God and reestablishes man into union of love with God our Father.
We become witnesses and proclaimers of the new life. May this newness bring us unending blessings and Favours.
Father in heaven, hear us your Children. By the mystery of the resurrection of Christ, may we be empowered to be faithful witnesses of this great mystery in our lives, our services and in all we do. May the risen Christ continue to protect, provide and sustain our lives through the same Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
