Whoever has ears ought to hear

Greetings on this the Saturday in the Octave of Easter
Readings: Acts 4:13-21; Psalm 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21; Mark 16:9-15

Summary

When Jesus had risen (Mk 16:9).

they did not believe (Mk 16:11b).
they did not believe them either (Mk 16:13b).

The Samaritan Woman

And they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.” (Jn 4:42).

Reflection

• When we preach – and did not Mary Magdalene preach? – it is essential that in some way the listener is experiencing the presence of the Lord Jesus.
• Tomorrow we have the beautiful story of Doubting Thomas setting the conditions (if you will) on what it means to believe in the Risen Lord.
• Next week when we encounter Jesus on the Road to Emmaus we can see the elements of the Holy Mass lived out on the road as an expression of experiencing the Risen Lord.

It might take time. Mary Magdalene and the Samaritan woman both had to tell their story and take the blowback.

All of these are reinforced by the witness of the Apostles before the leaders, elders, and scribes – even the legal authorityof the Sanhedrin.

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.”

Personal Reflection

Give your witness.
Jesus is Risen.

Whoever has ears ought to hear. But to hear, someone must speak.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041126.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry