Scripture: Acts 4:13-21. Psalm 118:1.14-15-16.18. 19-21. Mark 16:9-15.
Lectionary # 266.

Our founder, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, had a saying that is based
on the call of the Gospel's Resurrection faith. He tells us that "you are
all missionaries." The last verse of today's Gospel is, "Go into the whole
world and proclaim the good news to all creation." (Mark 16:15). We have
been listening to and meditating on the Resurrection Narratives of all of
the Gospels; St. Mark originally ended with Mark 16:8, "...and they were
exceedingly afraid." To a copyist who felt that the full story was not
given in such an ending, added the one we read today. It is canonical and
considered divinely inspired, hence, it is used in our liturgical use of
Scripture. Actually, the writer is familiar with the other resurrection
stories and has added this as a summary. There are echoes of Matthew,
Luke-Acts, and John in the verses for today. Uppermost in each of these
good news proclamations is the gift of our faith received at our baptism.
Like all gifts from God, it has to be opened. We are also to offer
frequent acts of thanksgiving for this wonderful gift of God's loving
kindness and mercy to us. Recently, in an article from Bible Today, Father
James H. Kroeger, M.M., a Maryknoll Missionary wrote about our mission is
the living out God's gift. Citing the Asian Bishops' letter which says,
"We evangelize, first of all from a deep sense of gratitude to God, the
Father who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing
(Eph.1:3), and sent the Spirit into our hearts transformed by the grace of
God." Our motivation springs from the faith of the heart, that is,
Resurrection faith and we thank God by first, recognizing the gift,
receiving the gift, and reciprocating the gift. This is our mission and
our gift for which we offer God thanks. "If one truly appreciates a gift
one wants to share it." After all, "without cost you have received; without
cost you are to give." (Matthew 10:8). We all need to have this sense of
mission in our own communities and in our own lives. "That is why it so
important for us to have a deep experience of the love of God in Christ
Jesus (Romans 8:39), that love which has been poured forth in our hearts by
the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:5)." Without a personal
experience of the Risen Jesus in our lives and for which we render thanks,
there is no sense of mission. "Indeed, mission is viewed as a gift,
graciously given, gratefully received, and generously shared. Gratitude can
serve as a powerful, energizing motive for engaging in evangelization."
(All citations are taken from the article, "Mission: Living God's Gift"
pp.105-110, Bible Today, March/April, 2008). Amen.