Gospel Reading for April 26, 2025 – Mark 16: 9-15
FOR ALL
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.”
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They did not believe. Was it because they preferred Jesus to appear to them first? They were his disciples, anyway. Why to Mary?
Perhaps it was because the mission of evangelization is FOR ALL of us Christians. It is not only for the learned. It is not limited to a gender. It is not dependent on wealth. This is because all of us are given gifts which the Holy Spirit enhances even more so we may do our part in sharing the Good News (1 Corinthians 12: 27-31).
Let our prayer be this beautiful song written by Sebastian Temple, TAKE MY HANDS –
Take my hands and make them as your own,
and use them for your kingdom here on earth.
Consecrate them to your care,
anoint them for your service where you
may need your gospel to be sown.
Take my hands, they speak now for my heart,
and by their actions they will show their love.
Guard them on their daily course,
be their strength and guiding force to
ever serve the Trinity above.
Take my hands, I give them to you, Lord.
Prepare them for the service of your name.
Open them to human need and
by their love they’ ll sow your seed so all
may know the love and hope you gave.
Take my hands, take my hands, O Lord!
