The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, April 22, 2006
Saturday in the Octave of Easter

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 4:13-21
Psalm 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21
Mark 16:9-15

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

What a magnificent commandment! We are to proclaim the gospel to every creature. Not simply every person, they are included, of course. But to every creature.

How do we proclaim the Gospel to a cactus, a wren, an octopus, a coral reef? And if we extend the meaning of creature just a little to encompass its original intent, how do we proclaim the gospel to the rocks and the water of the world? Impossible, you say. But I would say, "Jesus would not tell us to do the impossible." It is our duty to proclaim the good news to every creature--every creature is part of the Easter joy. Just as fallen man dragged all creation down with him, Jesus raised it all up in Himself. And therefore we are required to spread the good news to the entire world.

How do we do this seemingly impossible thing? We live in Easter joy, in the humble, but confident assurance that Our God alone is the font of all salvation and from Him flows all that is worthwhile. We live in the quiet confidence of our friendship and intimacy with Jesus Christ. We share what we have with those who do not have as much, and we willingly accept what we need from the hands of others, neither standing on our own pride nor lording it over others.

We proclaim the gospel to all creation when we grow closer to the small, quiet voice that calls us inwardly. We proclaim the gospel to all creatures when we work hard to use only as much as we need and so extend what is available for everyone. We proclaim the gospel to all creatures in every act of love that issues from the heart touched by grace. We proclaim the Gospel when we unabashedly say, "Jesus Christ is Lord."

O, my Lord and my God,
Savior of all of creation,
what a great gift we have in friendship with you.
May we grow closer day by day
and bring all creation with us.
Thank you for the opportunity of conversation,
and thank you for the love that fixed the world.
Amen. Alleluia!

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)