Daily Gospel Reflection for April 26, 2025: Saturday in the Octave of Easter

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Mark 16:9-15

We can always rejoice in Christ’s victory over the grave, but this past week has been a time of unique celebration. Christ is risen! He has conquered death! We proclaim these truths with joy and praise! 

Until we encounter someone who tells us we’re wrong. 

Holding Our Ground
It is easier for some of us than for others to maintain our convictions when we are faced with someone who explicitly contradicts what we know to be true. I’m grateful for the community of faith in which I’m raising my family, but knowing that so many people around me see things as I do can make it even more of a shock when I’m in a situation with someone who thinks, believes, and lives very differently. In those moments, I can imagine what Mary Magdalene and the other two disciples felt in today’s reading, when the people they preached to simply didn’t believe—they might have felt deflated, disappointed.

Patience
St. Teresa of Ávila reminds us that “Patience obtains all things,” and that’s what I see in these faithful few in the reading. We don’t know what happened next for sure, but we don’t see any note of counterargument or badgering on their part. Rather, we hear that in time, Jesus Himself appeared to those who doubted. He rebuked them, and then—and this may be a surprise—He called even them to go out and preach the Gospel.  

St. Teresa of Calcutta is quoted as saying, “We have the obligation to speak the truth, but we don’t have to convince anyone.” Today, let’s preach the Gospel in our thoughts, words, and deeds, trusting the Jesus will take care of the rest. 

Ponder:

What do I expect of others when I share the Gospel? Is that a fair expectation?

Pray:

Come, Holy Spirit, and guide me to preach the Good News to those I encounter today, whether they’re ready to accept the Gospel or not.

Copyright 2025 Lindsay Schlegel