Location: San Fernando Cathedral
Jesus Christ is our strength! The Lord’s resurrection strengthens us as witnesses of his life within us. We cannot help but tell what we have seen and heard. Our hope is born from the awareness that, through Christ, the joys and sorrows of our daily life are a participation in His Paschal Mysteries. Nothing in our lives or in the world escapes from the will of God!
The Jews cannot accept the eternal life of Him whom they have crucified. They try to extinguish any remnants of His message. But their attempt to silence the Good News, only proves the truth of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Son of God. The Sanhedrin, without wanting to do so, proclaims the divinity, the glory hidden in the name of Jesus. With their prohibition to Peter and John, they affirm what Peter tells us right before today’s text: “There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” (Acts 4:12).
The Lord’s appearances after his resurrection emphasize the lack of faith of those to whom the Lord had not appeared. Every time the opposers of the gospel question the testimony of the disciples, the message resounds ever more eloquent. Today’s gospel, like many others, summons us to witness with words and deeds. We must not to be discouraged by the reaction of those who reject the message. We must take into account that only the direct presence of Jesus will free his disciples from the stubbornness of others. This means that there is a strong call to prayer hidden between the lines of today’s passage of the Gospel of Mark. We must pray for the people around us to encounter Jesus Christ deeply. We must pray for everyone to have a profound experience or a personal encounter with our Lord. Only He, personally, will make them realize how true our faith is. As witnesses of the risen Jesus, our role is to persevere announcing Him to them. Our life must witness to the truth of Jesus Christ, living within us by the work of the Holy Spirit.
Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of our Christian hope. He invites us to nurture our hope in a better world through prayer, daily choices, and sharing our positive attitude with others. Our hope, rooted in the Resurrection of Jesus, is the foundation of our proclamation. The Pope and the Church urge you, young people, to be beacons of hope in the world, sharing the joy and light of Christ with others.
May Our Lady of Guadalupe help you be credible witnesses of the Risen Christ in the Eucharist.
