It is impossible for us not to speak

The message of today’s readings is unmistakable.

In the Gospel (Mark 16:9-15), we hear the clear and powerful command of Christ:

Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.

In the first reading (Acts 4:13-21), the Apostles are told not to speak of Christ.

Saint Peter and Saint John, however, are clear in their response:

Whether it is right in the sight of God
for us to obey you rather than God,
you be the judges.

It is impossible for us
not to speak about what we have seen and heard.

In today’s world there are many people and forces tell us not to spread the Gospel, not to try to bring people to Christ.

In some places, the totalitarianism of political correctness forbids it.

In some places, laws and violent men forbid it.

To be sure, we need to be prudent, but the command given by Christ to the Apostles and the logic enunciated by Saints Peter and John are binding on us as well.

Indeed, very recently, Saint Peter’s successor gave a dramatic example of following this command and this logic: within days of being implicitly threatened by one of the world’s most notorious men of violence, Pope Benedict XVI baptized a high profile Muslim.

Whether it is right in the sight of God
for us to obey you rather than God,
you be the judges.

***

Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.