When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either. But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised.He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
REFLECTION
He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
CHRISTOS ANESTI!
Did you know that we are still celebrating Easter! Happy Easter Ya’ll! I am in awe of how much I have learned in my adult years. And I am also in awe of how much more I need to learn.
If I were to sum up this Gospel reading I would say it is about the growth of the disciples beliefs in Jesus. It seems that they are always learning.
Jesus asked for his disciples to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” Why do you think Jesus said “to every creature” instead of “to all people”? As I thought about this, two saints came to mind.
These two Saints really did preach to all creation. One is St. Anthony of Padua. He was preaching in a city in Italy and the people did not want to listen to what he was saying. So he walked over to the waters edge and decided to preach to the fish. He asked the fish to listen to the Gospel and began preaching. The fish actually came and poked their heads out of the water. When the people heard about this they came to listen and were converted.
The other Saint that comes to mind is St. Francis of Assisi. He loved animals, and one day when he was walking along a path, he saw some birds in a tree and began to preach to them. It is said that the birds would flap their wings and stretch their necks with excitement and they all stayed to hear about the Word of God until St. Francis ended and gave them a blessing. The companions that were with him saw the whole thing and were amazed.
I was just talking to my son, Aaron and he reminded me that God is the God of all creation. So if God created the whole world, isn’t it fitting for us to proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Then I thought about the morning prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. We pray the Canticle of Daniel 3:57-88, 56. (Let all creatures praise the Lord.). How beautiful that Jesus said, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Our PAPA Vision is to see priests on fire for Jesus and His Church, the Body and Bride of Christ. These two Saints were definitely on Fire for Jesus and His Church. Proclaiming the Gospel to all creation!
Will you join in praying for our priests today? Here is the link to our PAPA Prayer for Priests.
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