St. George, maryrr

St. Adalbert, bishop & martyr

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊ 

Acts 4:13-21

 They were astonished

At the boldness of Peter and John, considering that they were unedu­cated and untrained men. They recognized, also, that they had been with Jesus,   but, as the man who had been cured stood beside them, they could make no reply.

 So they ordered them to leave the council room while they consulted with one another.   They asked, “What shall we do with these men? Everyone who lives in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign has been given through them, and we cannot deny it.  

But to stop this from spreading any further among the people, let us warn them never again to speak to anyone in the name of Jesus.”   So they called them back and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

 But Peter and John answered them, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s eyes for us to obey you rather than God.  We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”   Then the council threatened them once more and let them go. They could find no way of punishing them because of the people who glorified God for what had happened.

 

Ps 118:1, 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21

I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Mark 16:9-15

After Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary of Magdala, from whom he had driven out seven demons. She went and reported the news to his followers, who were now mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he lived, and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

After this he showed himself in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. These men also went back and told the others, but they did not believe them.

Later Jesus showed himself to the Eleven while they were at table. He reproached them for their unbelief, and hardness of heart, in refusing to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

Then he told them, "Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Unbelief and Mission

In today's gospel, the unbelief of the disciples is mentioned three times. Neither the first person narratives of Mary of Magdala and the two disciples from Emmaus nor the direct encounters with the Risen Lord have kindled faith in some of the apostles.

\Jesus reproaches them, but surprisingly, still trusts them with the missionary mandate to bear witness. This could be consoling: There are times when we come across ministers of the sacraments who have less than ideal conviction about what they do; but that does not negate the validity of the sacraments.

And, there are times we ourselves find it hard to believe some of the claims of the Creed. But that should not prevent us from practicing or preaching it. Doubt is not always an enemy of faith; Now we know through a glass darkly, then we will know face to face (cf. 1 Cor 13:12). Until then, we do as he has asked us to do.

 

Traditions hold that Saint George was among the many soldier-martyrs of early Christianity who,

instead of dying to protect the Emperor, were killed on the Emperor's orders for refusing to deny Christ.