Fr.
Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
OUR
MISSION IS TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST TO THE WHOLE WORLD
After
the resurrection of Jesus, he appeared to his disciples on different occasions.
Today in our Gospel passage, he appeared to the eleven apostles and
commissioned them to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole
creation. This is what Peter and John exercised in our first reading today.
Here the rulers, elders and scribes were astonished at the great witness shown
by Peter and John, so, they tried to prevent them and other disciples from
spreading any further the Good News about the risen Lord, by attempting to
suppress them through fear and pressure.
However,
the disciples were not ready to give in to fear or pressure, for they were
encouraged and strengthened by the Lord through the Holy Spirit as they were no
longer the same people who hid because of the fear of the authorities. Instead,
they openly defiled the orders from the Sanhedrin and continued to carry out
the missions which God had entrusted to them. Hence, the mandate of this
mission has been repeated in our liturgy throughout this octave of Easter, in
order to remind us of our mission as Christians. It also allows us to review
our Easter experience, so as to examine ourselves about the impact the week has
made on us.
Dear
friends, to what extent have we been able to bear witness to the world about
the risen Lord? As disciples of Christ, we are mandated to share the Good News
of salvation provided by Christ Jesus to all creation. We are to do so not just
in silence, but in words and actions which is seen in our ways of life.
So,
friends, what can we do to ensure that the Gospel reach out to all creation?
How best can we spread this Good News, especially in this time of difficulty
when the world is looking for answers to the fundamental reality of human
existence? The answer to this fundamental question is rooted in the Gospel of
Christ and the best way to preach the Gospel today is witnessing by our way of
life. Today many voices are preaching the Good News, but only a few are bearing
authentic witness to the Gospel. Let us be that authentic voice.
LET US
PRAY: Lord God, give us the grace and courage to bear authentic witness of your
Gospel in a world where people are confused and no longer pay attention to your
Word. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a peaceful weekend.
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