Saturday in the Octave of Easter

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.”

The disciples do not believe Mary Magdalene or the two companions in the countryside. It isn’t until Jesus appears to them in person that the disciples finally accept the resurrection as truth. This unbelief and hardness of heart is something Jesus is trying to root out of his disciples. He wants them to believe in His message and in each other. After all, if the community of the faithful is to last we need to trust in God and each other. When we do these things, then we can go into the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature without being afraid that we are alone and have no support. God and our fellow Christians will be there to encourage and strengthen us so we can become better bearers of God’s Good News to all the nations.

How can we do a better job of trusting God and the messengers He sends to us throughout our lives? Are we willing to toss aside our unbelief and hardness of heart and believe in God’s Divine Plan? Are we willing to become Godbearers in all that we do?

O Lord, give us the graces we need to go into the world and proclaim your Gospel to every creature.

Amen.