Go into all the world and Preach the Gospel.

Homily for April 22, 2017.


Finally, we get to hear Mark’s version of the events that took place on Easter morning. Even though what he says is not too different from the other three Gospels, it contains some very interesting details.

First, it is from Mark that we get to hear that seven demons had been cast out of Mary Magdalene; the first person to see the resurrected Jesus. Why did Mark include such a detail about Mary Magdalene’s past? It is simply a confirmation of God’s word in the book of Ezekiel:

“But if a wicked man turns away from all his sins which he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness which he has done he shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? Ezekiel 18:21-23.

In the eyes of God, our past does not matter. For ordinary men, such a woman like Mary Magdalene does not deserve to be the first to see Jesus but God so did it to prove that He has truly come to save sinners.

Again, Mark tells us that when Mary Magdalene delivered the news to the people who had been with Jesus (his disciples), they did not believe her. It was too good to be true. They would rather remain weeping than rejoice at such a good news.

Even when Jesus again appeared to two of the disciples, and they brought the news to the others, they still refused to believe. For their hardness of heart, Jesus decided to appear to the Eleven disciples and he upbraided them strongly for their unbelief.

Even though Jesus was not happy with them for doubting, he nonetheless proceeded to hand on to them the task of preaching the Gospel to the whole nations. This is also very interesting. These men not only doubted God’s ability to raise Jesus from the dead, they doubted themselves yet Jesus believed enough in them to entrust them with the task of preaching the Gospel.

If the Eleven disciples were seminarians, they would not have qualified for ordination and no one would give them such a great assignment knowing how they have failed woefully by refusing to believe. Again, we now see that God does not judge as men do.

God sees potential, God judges according to what he knows you are capable of doing but Humans see only the past, humans judge according to what you did, humans do not believe so much in potential, we believe the future will always resemble the past so when a person has done something bad in the past, he or she is automatically disqualified.

Who would have believed that the same Peter and John who were among the doubting disciples would become so bold as to challenge the rulers and elders and scribes as we read in our first reading? Even to the extent that they would not give in to the threats.

Peter and John said: “We cannot but speak of what we have heard and seen.” They were willing to obey God rather than men not minding if the authorities would try to frustrate them. Somehow, it was good they once doubted, their initial doubt must have helped them understand with and penetrate the hearts of those who did not initially believe.

Dear friends, it doesn’t matter what your past has been, it doesn’t matter if you once doubted God, you too can go out there and preach the Good News. This is our essential duty as Christians come rain, come shine.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, use me as your instrument of evangelization. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Easter Saturday. Bible Study: Acts 4:13-21 and Mark 16:9-15).

Fr. Abu.

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