Empowered Witnessing: The Unstoppable Faith of the Apostles
April 6, 2024 - Saturday in the Octave of Easter
Acts 4:13-21; Psalm 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21; Mark 16:9-15
Today's passage from the Gospel of Mark includes a combination of Easter stories taken from other Gospels. The account of Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene is detailed in the Gospel of John, while the story of the two disciples going to a village is narrated in full in the Gospel of Luke. Lastly, the appearance of Jesus to the eleven disciples at the table is expounded upon in more detail in Luke's Gospel. However, we are told that the apostles did not initially believe these testimonies. It was only the appearance of the risen Christ that ultimately convinced them that the Lord was truly alive. This encounter with the risen Christ transformed them from fearful and doubtful disciples into fearless and bold apostles of Christ.
The first reading continues the story of Peter and John being investigated by the Jewish religious authorities for performing a miracle and proclaiming salvation in Jesus' name. Despite being threatened and ordered to stop proclaiming the name of Jesus, Peter and John declared: "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.” (Acts 4:20).
Psalm 118, which accompanies our readings, belongs to the collection of psalms of praise used during the feast of Passover. There are six of them (Ps 113-118) known as the “Hallel,” which means “praise God.” The last psalm of this short collection begins with a reference to God’s steadfast love. Its main focus is thanksgiving for God’s deliverance from the threat of death. Jesus sang these psalms with his disciples during the Last Supper just before his passion. Through this psalm, the Church proclaims Christ’s resurrection and final victory over death. “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:55).
Peter and John declared that it was "impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20). The refusal to give up in the face of opposition and trials is the mark of Christ's disciples. For example, Saint Paul’s faithful service to Christ was characterized by great labors, many imprisonments, countless beatings, and many near-death experiences (see 2 Cor 11:21-33). Yet, he and many others who had similar experiences did not give up. Moreover, they rejoiced in sufferings for Christ's sake (Acts 5:41; Col 1:24). Their experience confirms the words of the psalmist: "My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just" (Ps 118:14-15ab).
At the beginning of Psalm 118, the psalmist invites us to "give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever" (Ps 118:1). As we witness the transforming power of Christ's presence in the lives of the fearful and doubtful apostles, we thank the Lord for empowering them to boldly proclaim the Gospel and leave us the testimony of their fearless faith. Today, the Church, built on the foundation of the apostolic faith filled with the Holy Spirit, continues to proclaim the same faith in the face of challenges and opposition. It is also "impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20).