The Word Among Us: The Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Saturday, April 2, 2016

The Word Among Us: The Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Saturday, April 2, 2016

Meditation: Acts 4:13 When they saw how bold Kefa and Yochanan were, even though they were untrained ‘am-ha’aretz, they were amazed; also they recognized them as having been with Yeshua. 14 Moreover, since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there beside them, there was nothing they could say to discredit the healing. 15 So they told them to step away from the Sanhedrin while they discussed the matter privately. 16 “What can we do with these men?” they asked each other. “Why, anyone in Yerushalayim can see that a remarkable miracle has come about through them — we can’t possibly deny that. 17 But to prevent it from spreading any further among the people, let’s warn them not to speak any more to anyone in this name.”

18 So they called them in again and ordered them under no circumstances to speak or teach in the name of Yeshua. 19 But Kefa and Yochanan answered, “You must judge whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God. 20 As for us, we can’t help talking about what we have actually seen and heard.” 21 They threatened them some more but finally let them go — they couldn’t punish them because of the people, for everyone was praising God over what had happened,

Saturday within the Octave of Easter
They recognized them as the companions of Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
In nineteenth-century France, there lived a young widow who was struck by the apostles’ example. It was not what they had done or what they had said but simply that they had walked with Jesus as his companions. This woman, Marie Madeleine d’Houët, went on to found a religious order based on the calling to be a faithful companion of Jesus. The sisters developed a spirituality of being in the Lord’s presence even as they devoted themselves to serving the children and mothers of their war-torn country.
In today’s first reading, we see what must have inspired Marie Madeleine. Peter and John were preaching the gospel with boldness. They had just healed a man who had been unable to walk for thirty-eight years, and everyone who witnessed the miracle was praising God. It was a scene of great excitement, but the thing that caught the attention of the elders and scribes was that these two men were companions of Jesus.
How do you recognize a companion? Well, think about your friends. After spending time together, you begin to share mannerisms and phrases. You are marked by similar experiences, and you share each other’s ups and downs, griefs and joys. Companionship is not so much about what you do as it is about who you become. It’s about how your common experiences change you.
Companionship with Jesus is no different, really. If anything, it’s more involved than a close friendship. Think about it instead in terms of a marriage. Over time, a husband and wife become companions in the deepest possible way. It doesn’t happen right away, but the years spent together make them more and more alike. Many people have even commented on how older married couples actually begin to look like each other!
This is exactly what can happen as we become companions with Jesus. So make it a point to spend time with him, as you would with your spouse or closest friend. Invite him to be with you as you go about your day. Talk to him in your heart. Share your experiences with him. And listen for his response. Never forget that Jesus wants to share his life with you. He wants to be your companion!
“Lord, I want to be your companion; help me walk through every day with you.” Amen!
Psalm 118:1 Give thanks to Adonai; for he is good,

for his grace continues forever.

14 Yah is my strength and my song,

and he has become my salvation.

15 The sound of rejoicing and victory

is heard in the tents of the righteous:

“Adonai’s right hand struck powerfully!

16 Adonai’s right hand is raised in triumph!

Adonai’s right hand struck powerfully!”

17 I will not die; no, I will live

and proclaim the great deeds of Yah!

18 Yah disciplined me severely,

but did not hand me over to death.

19 Open the gates of righteousness for me;

I will enter them and thank Yah.

20 This is the gate of Adonai;

the righteous can enter it.

21 I am thanking you because you answered me;

you became my salvation.

Mark 16:[Mark 16:9 Verses 9–20 are found in many ancient Greek manuscripts but not in the two oldest ones.]9 When Yeshua rose early Sunday, he appeared first to Miryam of Magdala, from whom he had expelled seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they were crying and mourning. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and that she had seen him, they wouldn’t believe it.

12 After that, Yeshua appeared in another form to two of them as they were walking into the country. 13 They went and told the others, but they didn’t believe them either.

14 Later, Yeshua appeared to the Eleven as they were eating, and he reproached them for their lack of trust and their spiritual insensitivity in not having believed those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 Then he said to them, “As you go throughout the world, proclaim the Good News to all creation.

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