PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS
Acts 4:13–21; Psalm 118; Mark 16:9–15
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus says, “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News” (Mark 16:15). This verse summarizes the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19, where Jesus instructs His disciples to preach and baptize those they meet.
As followers of Christ, it is our duty to proclaim the Gospel to those we meet. Mary Magdalene, despite her background, was entrusted by Jesus to spread the Good News to the apostles, earning her the title “apostle to the apostles” (Mark 16:10-11).
In the first reading, Peter and John boldly proclaimed the Gospel, stating, “We cannot help but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). As baptized individuals, we are called to bear witness to the truth ceaselessly.
During the Eucharistic celebration, we are commissioned to proclaim the Gospel with our lives through various dismissal formulas, such as “Go forth” or “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord with your life.” When the priest says, “The Mass is over,” it signifies that the celebration extends into our daily lives.
Let us pray:
O God, who by the abundance of your grace gives increase to the people 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 Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
