"Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). When some of Jesus' disciples had a hard time believing the reported appearances of others of the disciples on the Easter Sunday, Jesus appeared to the whole group and "rebuked" them for this unbelieving attitude.
It has always been and perhaps will be forever that some people will have a difficult time believing the Resurrection story. In the Acts of the Apostles the officials needed to quell the proclaiming of John and Peter because there were some who did believe in a miracle brought about in the name of Jesus.
Today, in our advanced technological world, it is not unusual to hear someone say, "I really have a hard time in believing there is a God." We might ask how that position can come about. If there is no reading, reflection or prayer -- no breaking open of the scriptures -- is it surprising the marvelous "miracles of technology" would replace the Divine Being who created this world and all of us in it?
There is no doubt that the lack of prayer and reflection over Jesus' words in the New Testament make it very easy to forget the God of both Old and New Testaments. The words of King David in Psalm 118, verse 21, today's responsorial psalm need to be heard: "I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me." Why? Because of one word: "answered." That means I have asked a question! And you?
Friends, please remember in your prayers today, a man, Jim, who has struggled so nobly over the last several months with cancer that settled in his brain. Similar to what the late Senator Kennedy endured. Jim has been so gifted by prayers over this period of time. This morning, I read an email from someone who is close to him with the information that Jim had to be rushed to Georgetown because of bleeding in his brain ... that is inoperable. That word, inoperable, is so heavy. Remember Jim, his ever-dedicated wife, Cecilia, and their son and daughter-in-law who have suffered so much heart pain during this year. Thanks. Just a simple petition to the God you talk to is all I ask. Thanks.
