The apostles reacted differently to the news of the holy women. St Peter and St John half-believed and half-doubted. “Peter, therefore, went out and that other disciple, and they came to the tomb.” (Jn 20:3) The impulse of reason and conscience prevailed over the words and actions of the others.
How happy should we be if our conduct had been always like theirs, making God, our conscience, and the norms of our vocation the rule of our lives! But, have we often adopted a course of action either from cowardice or human respect and finding excuses in our tepidity?
They both ran together, so eager to reach the tomb, and to discover what had become of their beloved Master. Their love made them run on their way.
Do we fulfill the duties that God and obedience enjoin us with the same promptness and energy? If our conscience bears witness in our favor, it is a proof of fervor. Rejoice! Otherwise, we have reason to fear, particularly if age or infirmities warn us that our days are numbered; and endeavor to avoid deathbed regrets.
St John, younger and swifter, reached the tomb first. He tells us “he went not in”, out of respect for St Peter, to whom our Lord had given primacy and jurisdiction. To their great surprise, all they found were “the linen cloth and the napkin that had been about his head” (Jn 20:7).
St Peter had sinned grievously by his three-fold denial of Jesus. Still, St John showed honor and respected him as his superior. This should teach us to overlook the errors and imperfections of directors; but to consider them as representatives of God bearing in mind our Lord’s words, “he that hears you, hears me; and he that despises you, despises me” (Lk 10:16). Do my thoughts, words, and deeds conform to this doctrine?
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp208-10
Firmness in faith
Despite a severe prohibition from the High Priest and Sanhedrin not to “teach at all in the name of Jesus” (cf Acts 4:18), the Apostles preached every day more freely and with more determination the doctrine of the faith. And there were many who were converted and baptized.
The Apostles’ disobeying the commands of the Sanhedrin was not a matter of pride or lack of knowledge of social duties towards lawful authority. They resisted them because the council wished to impose on them a command which was against the law of God. They reminded their judges, courageously and simply, that obedience to God comes first.
They were fully convinced “that for those who fear God there is no danger but only for those who don’t fear Him” (St John Chrysostom, “Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles”, 13); and that it is worse to commit an injustice than to suffer it.
The Apostles showed their firmness of faith, how deeply they had absorbed the Master’s teaching after having received the Holy Spirit, and their great regard to God’s honour. (cf “The Navarre Bible, Acts of the Apostles”)
The fortitude and conviction of the first Christians is what Our Lord is also asking from us, when, in certain societies, there is a climate of indifference or even direct attack, often veiled, on true human and Christian values. A well-formed conscience will lead a Christian to be as law-abiding, as he is ready to take a stand on what is against the natural law.
The State is not omnipotent; it is not the source of good and of evil. “It is an obligation for Catholics who are present in political institutions to exercise a critical role within their respective institutions so that their programmes and activities correspond every day more to the aspirations and criteria of Christian morality. ...” (Spanish Episcopal Conference, “Witnesses to the living God”, 28 June 1985)
The effective protection of basic individual rights, the right to life from the very first moment of conception, the protection of marriage and family, equal opportunities in school and work, freedom of education, speech and religion, personal security, contribution to world peace, all form part of the common good which Christians should defend. (Ibid, “Catholics in public life”, 22 April 1986)
‘Passivity’ in such important affairs would really be a lamentable error and omission of the duty to contribute to the common good. They would form part of the sins of omission for which, as well as those of thought, word and deed, we ask Our Lord for pardon at the start of the Mass.
“... You as a Christian and perhaps as a research worker, writer, scientist, politician, or labourer, have the duty to sanctify those things. Remember that the whole universe -- as the Apostle says -- is growing as in the pangs of labour, awaiting the liberation of the children of God.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 311)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:3
The Laity Profess Their Faith
You are the salt of the earth! ... the light of the world. “The Christian vocation is by its very nature a vocation to the apostolate.” Here is the root of the kernel of announcement and testimony of the Christian faith.
Hence, the first attitude assumed by the testifier to the faith is that of ‘professing this same faith which he practices’, becoming gently converted by the Spirit of God and conforming one’s life to this Divine Wisdom. ... We are not proprietors who can do what we like; but are responsible for a gift which must be faithfully transmitted.
Only Christ! Let us proclaim him, in thanksgiving and wonder. In him is already the fullness of “what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9). This is the announcement the Church entrusts to all who are called to proclaim, celebrate, communicate and live the infinite Love of the Divine Wisdom.
Ref: cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp311-2
Our Lady -- “O Mother, Mother! With that word of yours, ‘Fiat: Be it done’ -- you have made us brothers of God and heirs to his glory. Blessed are you!” (St Josemaria Escrivá, "The Way", 512)
Grant of plenary indulgences, by Urban VI, to whoever visit the Church of Our Lady of Loretto. — Balingham on the Calendar. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
Pope Urban VI grants Plenary Indulgences to all visitors of the Church of Our Lady of Loretto / Loreto. 14th Century. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
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