SATURDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER Gospel Mark 16:9-15- THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

He said to them "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature" (Mk 16:15)

READING OF THE DAY

First reading from tha Acts of the Apostles

Acts 4:32-35

The community of believers was of one heart and mind,

and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,

but they had everything in common.

With great power the apostles bore witness

to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,

and great favor was accorded them all.

There was no needy person among them,

for those who owned property or houses would sell them,

bring the proceeds of the sale,

and put them at the feet of the apostles,

and they were distributed to each according to need.

Second reading from the Letter of John

1 Jn 5:1-6

Beloved:

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God,

and everyone who loves the Father

loves also the one begotten by him.

In this way we know that we love the children of God

when we love God and obey his commandments.

For the love of God is this,

that we keep his commandments.

And his commandments are not burdensome,

for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.

And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.

Who indeed is the victor over the world

but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ,

not by water alone, but by water and blood.

The Spirit is the one that testifies,

and the Spirit is truth.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John

Jn 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week,

when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,

for fear of the Jews,

Jesus came and stood in their midst

and said to them, "Peace be with you."

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you.

As the Father has sent me, so I send you."

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,

"Receive the Holy Spirit.

Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,

and whose sins you retain are retained."

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,

was not with them when Jesus came.

So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord."

But he said to them,

"Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands

and put my finger into the nailmarks

and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Now a week later his disciples were again inside

and Thomas was with them.

Jesus came, although the doors were locked,

and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands,

and bring your hand and put it into my side,

and do not be unbelieving, but believe."

Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples

that are not written in this book.

But these are written that you may come to believe

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,

and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

SATURDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER - Mark 16:9-15

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

In today's Word of God, Jesus commanded his apostles: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature."

Everyone is commanded by God with a mission, which is the mission of a prophet, priest, or king, without exception. The commandment that has been spoken by God will be fulfilled. Whether people accept God's command or not depends on their response to Him. Whoever fears God and loves God above all things will listen and carry out His command to carry out and preach God's Good News of salvation to all nations. This task is not just for Bishops, Priests or religious men and women. It includes all members of God's people, called to spread God's word to all people. But before spreading the Word of God to all people, that person must live by faith in Christ who died and was resurrected to save people. As the Kerygma preaching, His apostles lived their faith first, then they went out to preach what they believed and lived.

When God appeared to Mary Magdalene, He sent her to announce the Good News of His resurrection to His disciples. Next, the Lord appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He also sent them to preach to others about the Lord's resurrection. However, spreading the Good News of the Lord's resurrection encountered difficulties because the disciples did not immediately believe in the Lord's resurrection. The Lord knew that the disciples' faith was still weak, so He continued to appear to His apostles during the meal, which was: the meal of brotherhood, the Agape Meal or the Love Feast. It was during that meal that the apostles recognized the Lord and believed that the Lord had truly been resurrected. Jesus taught His disciples about the commandment of love: "'This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.'"

Today's Word of God wants to teach all of His children: Love everyone, practice God's command: "'Love one another. As I have loved you.'"

Thanks be to God. Amen.

PRAYER TO GOD AT 3.00 PM