Mabuting Balita | Abril 30, 2022

Sabado sa Ikalawang Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay

Ebanghelyo: Juan 6: 16-21

Lumusong ang mga alagad ni Jesus sa aplaya. At pagkasakay sa bangka ay nagpunta sa kabilang ibayo ng lawa tungo sa Capernaum. Dumilim na at wala pa si Jesus: at nagising ang lawa dahil sa malakas ang ihip ng hangin. Pagkasagwan nila nang may lima o anim na kilometro, nakita nila si Jesus na naglalakad sa lawa at palapit sa bangka. Nasindak sila. Ngunit sinabi naman niya sa kanila: “Ako siya; huwag kayong matakot.” Kaya gusto nila siyang isakay sa bangka, ngunit ang bangka ay bigla nang nasa pampang na patutunguhan nila.

Pagninilay:

Minsan po akong sukay sa isang fast craft from Cebu papuntang Bohol para sa isang outing. Aba e nung nasa kalagitnaan na po ng biyahe malakas ang mga alon. Ramdam po ng aking kalamnan ang alon, at galit ng dagat. Pero naalala ko po noong kami’y kinder pa, may itinuro sa aming kanta: “With Christ in my vessel, I can Smile at the storm, smile at the storm, Sailing, sailing home. With Christ in my vessel, I can smile at the storm until he guides me home. Padasal dasal, hindi mapakali, kumanta—itinulog ko nalamang ang aking takot. Nakakatuwa dahil makalipas ang mga taon, ngayon ko lubusang na-appreciate ang munting kantang ito. Sa ating ebanghelyo ngayong araw, natakot ang mga disipulo ni Hesus sa bagyo sa gitna ng laot. Sino ba naman ang hindi matatakot? Ngunit, nagpakita sa kanila si Hesus. Ang sabi ay “Ako ito, Huwag kayong makatakot.” Kung icoconvert po sa bagyo sa gitna ng dagat ang mga suliranin at problema natin sa buhay, sino nga ba ang hindi yayanigin? Lahat po tayo ay mistulang nasa isang bangka inaalon-alon, niyuyog-yog ng mga realidad ng buhay. Pinapaalala sa atin ngayon na sa mga pagkakatong ito, nariyan lamang ang Diyos, nakatayo, kinukumbinsi tayong huwag matakot. Marapat lamang na buksan natin ang ating mata at kumbinshin ang sarili na tanaw natin ang Diyos anumang hampas at bagyong dala ng realidad ng buhay. Napagtagumpayan na ng Diyos ang Kamataya’t kasalanan, ano pa ba ang hindi natin kakayanin, kung lagi siyang nasa puso natin? Ngiti na kapatid, kasama natin ang Diyos. Hindi tayo matatakot. Amen.

- Cl. Vinz Aurellano, SSP | Society of St. Paul

Word and Songs | Easter Symbolizes Life, New Beginning

with Sr. Lines Salazar, fsp

There’s a lot to be happy about and to be thankful for during this Easter season. Jesus has risen. Easter symbolizes life, a new beginning. It also means renewed hope for those who have experienced setbacks in life. Jesus’ resurrection has shattered the bondage of darkness in our world. It means that the darkness has no more power to control us. Jesus’ rising from the dead has empowered us, and strengthened us, so that whatever trials or difficulties we may experience along the way, we will come out of it victorious.

Although life is slowly returning to normal after two years of restricted movements due to the pandemic, the difficult task of rebuilding and regaining what we have lost in many areas of our personal and national life is a formidable challenge that we have to face and overcome. This is actually why Easter is so meaningful because it symbolizes hope; that by the power of God, we would be able to overcome all the difficulties that are before us.

We are facing a crucial time in our nation’s history. Let us vote wisely. Let us not think only of our personal interests and preferences, but the greater good of the country and the future of our people. We have seen and experienced during this period of campaigning how our candidates woo us, the voters. On the other hand, we are also dismayed how rabid supporters would attack other candidates with vitriol and spread lies and disinformation on social media against others without any sense of accountability.

The forces of darkness are at work, thus we are encountering difficulties and uncertainties on many levels. But this is how Easter is experienced in one’s life. We put our trust in God, who makes all things new. It is He who will lead us towards the path of deliverance and freedom.

“Easter is a time to examine what it is we are drawn to.  Do we let ourselves be drawn into the Light?  Are we attracted by those things that brighten our day?  Are we drawn to the many ways that God is present and active in the world all around us?  Hopefully, we are.  But there is most likely some degree of pull toward disorder, sin, and darkness.  There can be an interior conflict that everyone experiences.  It’s good to be aware of this, to identify it as part of our fallen human tendency, and to seek to shed all interest in the chaos and evil all around us.

As a follower of Christ, we are called to keep our eyes on Him and on Him alone.  We are called to penetrate the darkness with our faith and to let our whole being be attracted to and drawn toward Christ Jesus.  Perfection means that even our passions and desires are ultimately drawn to Christ as the Light of our life.”

Let us commit ourselves to the Light this Easter Season.  Let us move our eyes away from the temptation to become drawn in and fascinated by the evil around us, to the joyful vision of our Resurrected Lord alive and at work all around us.  Let us be light to one another - a beacon of light that dispels the darkness around us.

Scriptwriter: Sr. Pinky Barrientos, fsp | Daughters of St. Paul

ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA l PATRON OF THE YOUNG GIRLS AND PHILOSOPHERS

Feast Day: APRIL 29

Our saint for today was a holy and influential lay person, a member of the Third Order of the Dominicans, therefore, not a nun. But she was instrumental in the return of the papacy from its captivity in Avignon, France. I am sure, many of us know St. Catherine of Siena, one of the most popular saints in the Church. Catherine Benincasa was born in Siena, the 23rd of the 25 children of a pious couple, who brought their children up in the love and fear of God. It is no wonder that Catherine, at age five, was very much in love with the Virgin Mary and prayed the Hail Mary, even while going up and down the staircase of their big house. When she was six, she had a vision of Jesus accompanied by Saints Peter, Paul and John the Evangelist. Jesus made the Sign of the Cross on her and smiled. From that moment, Catherine became very mature in her actions and words. She prayed more, made penances, and had the burning desire to practice virtues. Sometimes she would hide and scourge herself. At seven, she made a vow of virginity. When she grew up, her mother tried to find a suitable husband for her, but she remained firm in her resolve not to marry as she had already given her heart to Jesus. She cut her long hair so as not to appear attractive. When she was sixteen, she received the habit of the Third Order of St. Dominic. Then she spent three years in prayer and isolation in her own home. At 21, Catherine had a “mystical marriage” with Christ. Her confessor encouraged her to get out from her isolation and she began helping the sick and the poor. These activities attracted many to follow her examples. It was also the time of many confusions in the Church. Catherine and companions travelled to many parts of Italy to preach penance, prayer and conversion. While praying one day before the Crucifix, she received the stigmata Her pains were on her hands, feet and heart and she alone could see the wounds. Catherine lived in a time when the Church was suffering the effect of the so-called “Babylonian Captivity,” (1309-1376, when the papacy, due to conflicts between the Church and the French crown, transferred to Avignon. There were seven popes who stayed there. She wrote strong letters to the seventh pope, encouraging him to return to Rome. She also went to Avignon to plead her cause before the pope. Fortunately, Gregory XI brought the papacy back to Rome in 1376. Then again in 1378 another conflict arose after the death of Pope Gregory XI, because some cardinals doubted the legitimacy of the election of the new pope. Catherine was summoned to Rome to help in resolving the conflict, but this conflict called the Western Schism lasted many years and was resolved long after Catherine had died. Catherine was also a good writer. She wrote dialogues, prayers and letters. Her celebrated work is entitled “Dialogue on the Divine Providence.” Catherine lived on this earth for only thirty-three years. She became so exhausted and weak due to excessive fasting and penances. She died on April 29, 1380 and was canonized on June 29, 1461. In 1939, she together with St. Francis of Assisi, were declared patron of Italy and in 1999 she became the patron of the whole of Europe. She was proclaimed Doctor of the Church in 1930. The Dominican Order of St. Catherine of Siena founded by a Dominican priest is under her patronage. There are also many groups claiming her as patron saint due to her many miracles. surrender of self-will, discretion, detachment, humility, courage and  perseverance. Lord, together with St. Catherine, we pray “Holy Spirit, come into my heart. Do I pray for the Pope and our Church leaders and follow their instructions?

Mabuting Balita | Abril 29, 2022

Biyernes sa Ikalawang Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay

Ebanghelyo: Juan 6: 1-15

Nagpunta si Jesus sa iba pang aplaya ng lawa ng Galilea sa may Tiberias. Sinusundan siya ng maraming tao sapagkat nasaksihan nila ang mga tandang ginagawa niya sa mga maysakit. Kaya pagkatingala ni Jesus, nakita niyang maraming tao ang pumupunta sa kanya, at sinabi niya kay Felipe: “Saan kayo makabibili ng tinapay upang makakain ang mga ito?” Sinabi niya ito bilang pagsubok sa kanya, sapagkat alam niya kung ano ang gagawin nito. Sumagot sa kanya si Felipe: “Dalawandaang denaryong tinapay ay hindi sapat sa kanila upang makatanggap ng tigkakaunti ang bawat isa.” At sinabi naman sa kanya ng isa sa mga alagad na si Andres na kapatid ni Simon Pedro: “May bata rito na may limang tinapay na sebada at dalawang isda. Ano ito para sa pagkarami-raming tao?” Madamo sa lugar na iyon, kaya sinabi ni Jesus: “Paupuin ninyo ang mga tao.” Kaya nag-upuan sila; halos limanlibong katao. Kaya kumuha ng mga tinapay si Jesus at nagpasalamat, at ipinabigay sa mga nakaupo. Gayundin ang ginawa niya sa mga isda, gaano man ang gustuhin nila. Nang mabusog na sila, sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Tipunin ninyo ang mga natirang piraso upang walang masayang.” Kaya tinipon nila ang mga tira at labindalawang basket ang napuno ng mga pira-piraso mula sa limang tinapay na sebada. Nang makita ng mga tao ang tandang ginawa ni Jesus, sinabi nila: “Ito ngang talaga ang Propeta na hinihintay na dumating sa mundo.” At alam ni Jesus na siguradong darating sila upang kunin siya at gawing hari; kaya muli siyang umalis, at mag-isang nagpunta sa bulubundukin.

Pagninilay:

Bigyan nating pansin ang batang lalaki na may dalang limang tinapay at dalawang isda. Siya ang kabataan na naging buhay para sa marami. Tawagin natin siyang Jayson. Malamang kasama niya ang parents niya sa pakikinig kay Jesus. Pero siya ang may dala ng pagkain na ipinagkatiwala nila sa kanya. Nakakatuwa na responsible niyang iningatan ang kanilang baon. Pero, may pihit na naganap. Kailangang i-let go niya ang security nilang mag-anak. Malaking bagay iyon sa kanila para may makain sila. Magsisilbi itong lakas kapag nanghina sila sa gutom. Naimagine ko ang kahanga-hangang encounter ni Jesus at ni Jayson. Hindi ito binanggit ni San Juan pero malamang, si Jayson, may nakitang kislap sa mata ni Jesus at pagmamahal sa Kanyang ngiti. Nang lumingon si Jayson sa kanyang mga magulang at sa makapal na tao, maaaring sinabi niya nang may tiwala kay Jesus. “Take this po, O. Limang tinapay at dalawang isda. Kung ano po ang mas mainam, gawin n’yo po para makakain ang lahat.” Malamang din, binuhat muna siya ni Jesus, niyakap nang mahigpit at pinugpog ng halik. The rest is history. Nakakain ang lahat. Nabigyang-buhay ang lahat. Ganito ang ibig ipakahulugan ni Pope Francis sa kanyang Payong Apostoliko para sa mga kabataan at sa buong Simbahan. Ito ang “Christus Vivit o Buhay si Kristo! Sinabi ng banal na papa na ang mga kabataan ay ang kasalukyan na tumutulong para sa pagpapayaman ng ating Simbahan. At sa buong Simbahan, masaya naman niyang sinabi: “The Church is ever young.” Ang Simbahan ay kabataan magpakailanman. Tulad ni Jayson, bilang mga “kabataan” sa pinanampalatayanan at pinapahalagahan, ano’ng uri ng tinapay at isda ang maibabahagi natin para mabigyang-buhay ang nakararami?

– Sr. Gemmaria dela Cruz, fsp | Daughters of St. Paul

Mabuting Balita | Abril 28, 2022

Huwebes sa Ikalawang Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay

Ebanghelyo: Juan 3: 31-36

Sinabi ni Jesus kay Nicodemo: “Nakahihigit sa lahat ang pumaparito mula sa itaas. Makalupa naman ang mula sa lupa, at makalupa rin ang usap niya. Nakahihigit sa lahat ang pumaparito mula sa Langit. Pinatotohanan niya ang kanyang nakita at narinig ngunit wala ngang tumatanggap sa kanyang patotoo. Pinagtitibay naman ng tumanggap sa patotoo niya na totoo mismo ang Diyos. Binibigkas nga ng sinugo ng Diyos at ng Espiritu. Mahal nga ng Ama ang Anak, at ipinagkatiwala ang tanang mga bagay sa kanya. May buhay magpakailanman ang naniniwala sa Anak. Ang hindi naman sumusunod sa Anak ay hindi makakakita sa buhay, kundi ang galit ng Diyos ang sasakanya.”

Pagninilay:

Upang masabing credible at totoo ang impormasyong sinasabi mo; sa hukuman kinakailangan ng testimony ng isangwitness. Kung wala nito, masasabing tila isangkathang-isip o bula lamang ang pahayag mo. Sa kabilang banda naman, ang masaklap, kahit na may testigo kana at totoo ang sinasabi, hindi parin tanggap ng kabilang panig sapagkat para sa kanila sila lamang ang may hawak ng katotohanan. Sarado ang kanilang pag-iisip at pang-unawa. Sa Ebanghelyo, si Hesus ang patotoo, ang testigo ng Diyos. Kapag tinatanggap mo si Hesus, ito’y patunay na ang Diyos ay mapapagkatiwalaan. Samakatuwid ang sinumang naniniwala kay Hesus ay dapat mamuhay sa katotohanan at tupdin ang kautusan ng Diyos. Ito’y upang masabi nating tayo’y mga buhay na patotoo para sa Diyos at sa kanyang dakilang pagmamahal at pagkalinga sa atin. Bilang mga Kristiyano, upang maging credible na patotoo tayo sa Diyos, hinihimok tayo ngayon ng Panginoong Hesus na umiral tayosa tama at wasto at huwag hayaang maghari sa atin ang salungat na pamumuhay. Magkagayon, mapapasa-atin ang walang hanggang-buhay. Ngunit, kapag nagmatigas tayo at nagpatuloy naumiral ng salungat na pamumuhay mararanasan natin ang negatibong epekto – ang malayo sa grasya ng Diyos. - Fr. Brian Paul, SSP | Society of St. Paul

GOSPEL POWER l APRIL 27, 2022

2nd  Week of Easter 

Gospel: Jn 3:16-21 

Jesus said to Nicodemus, 16“For God so loved the world that he gave  his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish  but may have eternal life. 17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn  the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  18Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do  not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in  the name of the only Son of God. 19And this is the judgment, that the  light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than  light because their deeds were evil. 20For all who do evil hate the light  and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.  21But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be  clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” God’s love leads us to maturity and forms us into  responsible agents by allowing us to choose. Salvation  is never forced upon us, rather, it is offered. God has already  taken the initiative to make his eternal life accessible to us. But  human beings must respond to this divine initiative. No one can  remain indifferent and passive, for the failure to respond is equivalent  to refusing the offer. Condemnation is not God’s act, rather, it is the  consequence of rejecting God’s offer or deliberately failing to choose.  The act of redemption is accomplished once and for all on the cross,  but the act of offering its fruit happens again and again throughout  our lifetime. The saving will of God never ceases to dialogue with the human will. How long can we resist such tireless offer of love?

Lord Jesus, conquer our resistances to divine love. Amen.

ST. ZITA l PATRON OF THE DOMESTIC SERVANTS

Feast Day: APRIL 27

Are you among those who often leave their keys somewhere and consequently lose them? Well, today we have a saint who is said to be the finder of lost keys. And not only that, she is also the patron saint of maids, domestic servants, waitresses and housekeepers. St. Zita was born in 1212 in Tuscany, near Lucca, Italy. She came from a very poor but devoutly religious Catholic family, who went to Holy Mass together every morning. When she was twelve, due to the increasing poverty of the family, she became a maid in the palace of the Fratinelli. She was given the most disagreeable duties, was poorly paid and was deprived of the rich food served at the table. Yet, she never complained. Every day, at five, she would attend Holy Mass before doing her assigned tasks. She had a strong devotion to the suffering Jesus, which enabled her to bear patiently the harsh treatment and sometimes unreasonable order of her employers and the quarrelsome attitudes of her fellow servants. Prayer and daily Holy Communion sustained her in her sufferings. After some years, seeing her perseverance and dedication to duty, the Fratenelli family gave her the charge to look after their children and the whole household. Her happy disposition and patience made the whole household happy and conquered the jealousy of her fellow servants.  Zita performed the work of a maid in the same family for almost fifty years and her holy life was a blessing to many. There were miracles that happened even when she was still alive. One feast day, she stayed longer in church and was so absorbed in prayer and oblivious of the time. When the sun was already up, she remembered that she had to bake the bread for breakfast. Hurrying home, she started to prepare for baking, but then she saw the flour all kneaded and ready for baking. No one among the people in the house did it. The mistress of the house gave this remark: “The Angels have done it.” Every Saturday afternoon, she went to pray at the St. Angelo church, some six miles away, going there on foot. One time, due to her duties, she set out though it was almost evening. A man on horseback stopped him to remind her that it was almost evening, trying to dissuade her from journey, but she said the Lord will bring her safely to the place. When that man arrived in the church, she was surprised to see Zita kneeling in prayer. He asked her how she got there ahead of him. Her answer was: “As it pleased God, so it has happened.” Another miracle happened months later. Zita was very devoted to St. Mary Magdalene and visited the saint in the church located between Lucca and Pisa, which is about ten miles away. It was already evening when she arrived and the church doors were locked. She sat on the church steps and due to fatigue fell asleep. Then a rain storm arose but she was not awakened. Early in the morning, she woke up and saw water around, but she was dry. She found the doors of the church open and began to pray. When the parish priest came down for the morning Mass, he was amazed to see Zita inside the church when he alone had the keys. This is why she is invoked to find lost keys. Zita continued to live her simple and ordinary life as a trusted maid and a great lover of God and of people. Hard work and fatigue took a hard tool on her life. She became too weak at the age of sixty. As she lay dying, she clasped her hands, looked up to heaven and smiled. It was April 27, 1278. As soon as she had expired, a brilliant light shone on the Fratinelli house and the people who saw it ran to the house crying: “The saint is dead.” At the time of her funeral, there were miracles that happened. She was beatified in 1696 and canonized in 1696. Her incorrupt body lies at the Basilica di San Frediano, Lucca, Italy. Her tomb was opened in 1446, 1581, 1652 and 1811, and they found her body perfectly preserved.

Mabuting Balita | Abril 27, 2022

Miyerkules sa Ikalawang Pasko ng Muling Pagkabuhay

Ebanghelyo: Juan 3: 16-21

Sinabi ni Jesus kay Nicodemo: “Ganito nga kamahal ng Diyos ang mundo! Kaya’t ibinigay niya ang kanyang bugtong na Anak upang hindi na mawala ang naniniwala sa kanya; magkakaroon nga siya ng buhay na walang hanggan. Hindi nga sinugo ng Diyos sa mundo ang Anak upang hukuman ang mundo, kundi upang maligtas ang mundo sa pamamagitan niya. Hindi hinahatulan ang naniniwala sa kanya. Ngunit hinatulan na ang hindi naniniwala, sapagkat hindi siya naniniwala sa Ngalan ng bugtong na Anak ng Diyos. Ito ang hahatulan: dumating sa mundo ang liwanag subalit higit pang minamahal ng mga tao ang karimlan kaysa liwanag, sapagkat masasama ang kanilang gawa. Napopoot nga sa liwanag ang nabubuhay nang masama at hindi lumalapit sa liwanag at baka mahayag ang kanyang mga gawa. Sa liwanag naman lumalapit ang gumagawa ng katotohanan upang mahayag na sa Diyos ginagawa ang kanyang mga gawa.”

Pagninilay:

Ang Ebanghelyong narinig natin ay pagpapahayag ng dakilang pag-ibig ng Diyos Ama sa atin.  Di Niya ipinagkait ang bugtong at pinakamamahal na Anak, alang-alang sa kaligtasan ng sanlibutan.  Kung uunawain natin ito sa takbo ng pag-iisip ng tao, masasabing kabaliwan ang ginawang ito ng Diyos.  Sino nga ba namang matinong ama ang ipapahamak ang buhay ng kanyang minamahal na anak, para lang sa ikabubuti ng iba?  Pero, tunay na naiiba ang paraan ng Diyos kesa sa atin.  Isinugo Niya ang Kanyang Anak kahit alam Niyang mapapahamak Siya sa mundo.  At nang mamatay ang Kanyang Anak, binigyan pa rin Niya ng isang pagkakataon ang sanlibutan.   Binuhay Niya ang Kanyang Anak, upang kung sino man ang maniniwala sa Kanya ay magkakamit ng kaligtasan.  Mga kapatid, alam kong marami sa atin ang nananalig sa misteryong ito.  Pero bakit marami pa rin magpahanggang ngayon ang patuloy na namumuhay sa kasalanan, at patuloy na nagwawalang bahala sa Muling Pagkabuhay ng Panginoong Hesus?  Bakit marami sa atin na pilit na ibinabalik ang kasamaan at kamatayan sa makabagong paraan, gayong iniligtas na tayo ng ating Diyos Ama?  Isang konkretong halimbawa ang maling paggamit ng Social Media at mga Social Networking sites.  Ilang pamilya na ba ang nawasak dahil sa maling pakikipagrelasyon gamit ang internet?  Ilang tao ang nasira ang reputasyon dahil sa cyber-bullying? Ilan ang nabiktima ng fake news, false stories at disinformation na may layuning impluwensiyahan ang pag-iisip ng tao, pagtakpan ang katotohanan at manirang-puri.  Hindi kaila sa atin na maraming bayarang troll farms na naghahasik ng virus ng kasinungalingan lalo na ngayong nalalapit na ang election. Mga kapatid, pababayaan na lang ba nating mawalang bisa sa ating buhay ang kaligtasang dulot ng Panginoong Hesus sa atin?  Humingi tayo ng tawad sa Panginoon sa maraming pagkakataong binalewala natin ang Kanyang dakilang pagmamahal at mas pinipili nating manatili sa kadiliman ng kasalanan.

- Sr. Lines Salazar,FSP | Daughters of St. Paul

GOSPEL POWER l APRIL 26, 2022

2nd Week of Easter

Gospel: Jn 3:7b-15  

Jesus said to Nicodemus, “7 ...‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The  wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you  do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with  everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How  can these things be?” 10Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of  Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to  what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have  told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you  believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended  into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of  Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so  must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may  have eternal life.”

The Greek word anõthen, which Jesus uses to describe the  fact of “being born,” has a double meaning. Nicodemus  understands it to mean “again.” But Jesus intends it to be  understood as “from above.” For Nicodemus, it is not only absurd but  downright impossible for an adult to reenter the maternal womb to  be born a second time. But what Jesus means is that he, who is “from  above,” has come down to make this “birth-from-above” possible.  Jesus is the only one who can baptize with the Holy Spirit, who is the  agent of the birth-from-above. To accomplish this baptism, Jesus, who  is from above will have to be raised up in the same way that Moses  raised up the serpent in the desert, so it can be life-giving. This raising  up of Jesus again has a double sense in the Gospel of John. From the  human perspective, it is the violent and shameful death by crucifixion.  From the divine perspective, it is the glorious demonstration of God’s love. Those who can put their faith in it and see the glory beyond the  shame — they are the ones who will be born from above. Lord Jesus, every time we contemplate your cross, deepen our faith in that love that triumphed over the most wicked human schemes. Amen.

GOSPEL POWER l APRIL 25, 2022

Saint Mark, Evangelist

Gospel: Mk 16:15-20 

15Jesus said to the Eleven, “Go into all the world and proclaim  the good news to the whole creation. 16The one who believes and  is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be  condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: by  using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new  tongues; 18they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink  any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on  the sick, and they will recover.” 19So then the Lord Jesus, after he had  spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right  hand of God. 20And they went out and proclaimed the good news  everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the  message by the signs that accompanied it. 

In the Gospel of Mark, the intended hearer of the Good  News is “every creature.” The proclamation is all-inclusive,  cosmic, and not only limited to human beings. The role of  Jesus, as seen also in the writings of St. Paul, is not only confined to  saving people from their sins. It also includes the task of recapitulating or gathering back all realities to the Father who brought them forth  into existence. Every created being belongs to God and must return  to God. Jesus is designated as their only way back to their origin. As  he is taken up into heaven, the risen Christ traces the path that leads  to the ultimate destination of every reality. Seated at the right hand  of God, he assumes his lordship of creation and draws all things back to the Creator by empowering the ongoing proclamation of the Good  News. Lord Jesus, deepen our faith-conviction that the Gospel is God’s power for  the salvation of the entire creation. Amen.