Go out to the whole world; Proclaim the Good News

In the readings today we find the missionary mandate that comes with being a Christian. In the Gospel reading (cf. Mk 16:9-15), Jesus commands the eleven apostles to "Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation" (Mk 16:15). In the First Reading, we find St. Peter and St. John confronted by the Jewish rulers, elders and scribes (cf. Acts 4:13-21). The Sanhedrin wanted St. Peter and St. John to promise never to speak to anyone in Jesus' name again, but they both reply: "You must judge whether in God's eyes it is right to listen to you and not to God. We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20). In another translation it is even stronger: "we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). After witnessing the power of the Risen Lord in conquering sin and death the apostles cannot but speak of it to everyone they meet.

In today's increasingly secular world where religion is being relegated to the sidelines and doctrine is being confused with opinion, can we ask ourselves - do I believe in the Risen Lord? Have I truly heard the Good News? Do I believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became fully man without losing anything of His divinity, came on earth to teach us about the Blessed Trinity and ourselves, was crucified, died and rose again to save us from our sins? If I truly believe this, I will not be able to help myself, I will have to share this Good News with all creation...