WHILE THE LORD WORKED WITH THEM

1Pt 5,5b-14; Ps 88; Mk 16,15-20
25 APRIL
The Word of God always starts from the heart of God. It is always the Lord the one that speaks. The Word of Jesus is also the Word of God and it comes from his heart. God speaks through him, just as he has spoken previously through the prophets. The Word is from the Father.

In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs (Heb 1,1-4).

When the Word from the Father’s heart reaches the heart of man, those who listen to the Word must confirm it with their life. Their faith gives life to the Word. Without the faith of those who make it echo in the world, it is a word without life. Paul reveals to us that the Word must be given with profound conviction of faith, otherwise it is not the Word of life.

To Greeks and non-Greeks alike, to the wise and the ignorant, I am under obligation; that is why I am eager to preach the gospel also to you in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek. For in it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous by faith will live” (Rm 1,14-17). To be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in performing the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the holy Spirit. In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast in what pertains to God. For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to lead the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit (of God), so that from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum I have finished preaching the gospel of Christ (Rm 15,16-19).

To the Word that comes from the heart of the Father, is poured into the heart of Christ, through the Holy Spirit, from the heart of Christ, always through the Holy Spirit, into the heart of the disciples, something is still lacking which is necessary, indeed indispensable. God is at the beginning and God must be at the end. How? By giving testimony with signs and wonders and miracles of every kind and gift of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will. If God is not at the beginning and at the end, never might the Word produce salvation. God is missing it.

Therefore, we must attend all the more to what we have heard, so that we may not be carried away. For if the word announced through angels proved firm, and every transgression and disobedience received its just recompense, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? Announced originally through the Lord, it was confirmed for us by those who had heard. God added his testimony by signs, wonders, various acts of power, and distribution of the gifts of the holy Spirit according to his will (Heb 2,1-4).

The Apostles are sent into the world. They must always have God with them. How will God be with them? If they will be in Christ for faith and obedience to the Word. They give all their faith to the Word and God will give all of himself to the Word. If they do not give faith not even God will give himself and the Word is more than sand. No seed of eternal life is in it. And no faith will be born of it in the hearts.

He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents (with their hands), and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

The faith of who announces the Word creates communion between God and the listener. Life is born.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints make us of true faith in the Word.