Acts 4:13-21; Psalm 118; Mark 16:9-15
In the gospel reading today, Jesus gave the great mandate “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.” Mary Magdalene did this (Mk16:10-11) and all the disciples were mandated as well (Mk16:15). Peter and John in the first reading boldly exercised this mandate. Peter says “we cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard”. This mandate is also given to each of us at the close of the Eucharistic celebration (Mass). Whenever the priest says the mass is ended it means that it is extended in our lives! Thus the priest or deacon says go forth or go in peace or go and proclaim the good news by your lives. Lord may we TRULY accept this offer so that we can gracefully say “thanks be to God!”
LET US PRAY
O God, who by the abundance of your grace give increase to the peoples who believe in you, look with favor on those you have chosen and clothe with blessed immortality those reborn through the Sacrament of Baptism. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
