Easter Saturday - How Can You Be Silent?

First reading	Acts 4:13-21 ©

We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard

The rulers, elders, and scribes were astonished at the assurance shown by Peter and John, considering they were uneducated laymen; and they recognized them as associates of Jesus; but when they saw the man who had been cured standing by their side, they could find no answer. So they ordered them to stand outside while the Sanhedrin had a private discussion. ‘What are we going to do with these men?’ they asked. ‘It is obvious to everybody in Jerusalem that a miracle has been worked through them in public, and we cannot deny it. But to stop the whole thing spreading any further among the people, let us caution them never to speak to anyone in this name again.’

  So they called them in and gave them a warning on no account to make statements or to teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John retorted, ‘You must judge whether in God’s eyes it is right to listen to you and not to God. We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard.’ The court repeated the warnings and then released them; they could not think of any way to punish them since all the people were giving glory to God for what had happened.

Gospel	Mark 16:9-15 ©

Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News

Having risen in the morning on the first day of the week, Jesus appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out seven devils. She then went to those who had been his companions, and who were mourning and in tears, and told them. But they did not believe her when they heard her say that he was alive and that she had seen him.

  After this, he showed himself under another form to two of them as they were on their way into the country. These went back and told the others, who did not believe them either.

  Lastly, he showed himself to the Eleven themselves while they were at table. He reproached them for their incredulity and obstinacy because they had refused to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.’

Today I will be brief, or short and sweet if that is how you want to call it. Peter and John were hauled before the Sanhedrin after curing a man.  The elders, who had the same power that they used to stifle Jesus (or at least so they thought) told them to not teach in that man's name again.  They told them that they would obey God and not the elders for they had to keep proclaiming what the saw and what they heard.  They were cautioned again and because the miracle had been seen by many and they were giving glory to God for it, the elders feared that a riot would break out so they left the two Apostles go.  

Jesus appeared to many but still, there were those that refused to believe unless they saw for themselves including some or all of the Apostles.  So, Jesus appeared to them and told them to, "Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation."  What more needed to happen to make them believe?  

So...What in the world are you waiting for?  Sin and death have been conquered.  We no longer need to be slaves to these two bitter pills sent through the ages from Adam and Eve.  Death will claim our body someday but it will never claim our soul and because of the work of Jesus we will live forever more.  Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.  Get off the couch and let people know the Good News!