Preet Anupam Beck csc –
Readings: Acts 4:13-21; Mk 16:9-15
A personal encounter with the risen Lord drives out all fears and makes a person proclaim the experience of Jesus.
In the first reading, Peter and John were charged not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, but their experience of the risen Lord convinced them to spread and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation. In the gospel Mary Magdalene went and told the other disciples about her experience of the resurrection of Jesus. In the scripture, she was the first one to encounter the Risen Lord and proclaim it. She became an apostle to the other apostles, but they did not believe it until they encountered him personally.
It is hard for me sometimes when my enthusiasm and initiative of spreading the Gospel in my little way was met with rejection and disbelief. Sometimes people think that I pretend to be holy and begin to speak ill and make fun of me.
In such circumstances, I am encouraged by the examples of Peter, John and Mary Magdalene who did not give up proclaiming the risen Lord. I require a personal encounter with the risen Lord to be convinced of my calling towards proclaiming the Gospel to the whole creation and not to be disheartened when I face rejection, disbelief, and opposition for doing it.