Proclaim the Gospel

4/18/2020

Step #1: Lectio / Read

Click the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text.

Mark 16:9-15

Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

Today's Gospel – the story we've been hearing about that first Easter Sunday – gives us what I would imagine is a pretty good piece of Gospel trivia.

Who was the first person to know about the Resurrection?

The answer, according to Scripture, is Mary Magdalene. Mary goes to the tomb early that morning (the Gospels differ as to if she was alone or with other women, but she was definitely there) and learns that he has risen. Excited, she is the one to tell the disciples about the Resurrection! The Disciples, Jesus' closest friends, are actually told about the most amazing thing Jesus did by someone else first.

Being the disciples we know them to be, they don't believe her. It may have been out of fear, or bias, or that they didn't have their coffee yet that day, but for whatever reason the apostles don't believe until – again, depending on which Gospel you read – they see for themselves by either having Jesus appear or going to the tomb or both.

What can we learn from this?

No matter what happens, the job that you and I have is to proclaim the Gospel. Whatever the good news is that we've encountered (and it is, of course, a person) our mission is to share that good news with the world regardless of how they respond.

In the first reading today, from Acts of the Apostles, we see that Peter and John have figured this out very well a short while later. They heal a man, and then the people are confused because they're common and uneducated, realizing they've been with Jesus. What do they answer for themselves?

"It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard." –Acts 4:20

It's impossible! Would you and I say the same thing? I'd wager that, once we've met Jesus, it becomes impossible not to speak about it. If we find ourselves never telling people about Jesus, it may be time to open ourselves up for a deeper encounter with him. If we feel the urge to speak about him but hold ourselves back, it's time to begin! Whether or not the people here us and listen – they didn't in today's examples, at least not right away – our job is to proclaim the good news to the world. Let's go out there today, and each day, and tell people what we've seen and heard, introducing them to Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God.

Step #3: Oratio / Pray

These questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today.

In what ways is God calling you today to share the Good News?

When you don't tell people about your faith, what holds you back? Fear? A lack of conviction? Something else?

In this Easter season, how has Jesus been encountering you each day? What more is he saying to you today?

Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.

"You are our Lord."

"You are our Savior."

"You are alive."

Step #5: Actio / Act

In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today?

In this difficult time, we will use our Action step each day to join with people around the world in praying for an end to the pandemic of the Coronavirus, for the healing of all those affected, and for the comfort of all those who have lost a loved one. The prayer below is from Archbishop José H. Gomez, President of the USCCB in his reflection and prayer during coronavirus:

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Smartphone Lock Screen

The following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.

Today's prayer was prepared by Jason Theobald, Executive Director of Carpe Verbum.

If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today.

CARPE VERBUM