You must be baptised in the Name of Jesus Christ

Acts 2:36-41, Jn 20:11-18. After the address of Peter in today's first reading, over three thousand people responded to God’s call and became the first of the Christian communities, which from then on began to spread beyond Jerusalem and Judea, as the Apostles went to various places proclaiming the Good News of salvation and the Risen Lord to the people in those far-off places. They proclaimed what they had themselves witnessed, heard and believed, from what Mary Magdalene had seen at the tomb of the Lord on Easter Sunday.

In today's Gospel, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene near the empty tomb, showing her to the other disciples how He has risen from the dead as He had said. It was this faith in the Risen Lord that allowed the Apostles with the strength and the courage of the Holy Spirit that enabled them to persevere in faith and in accomplishing their mission. God called us to be His witnesses and to be His bearers of the Good News just as the Apostles had done with their own lives. He invites us to bear His Good News and His light and hope to this world darkened with fear and evil that we may truly brighten the lives of many of our fellow brethren and help make their lives to be better. Let us not hesitate in declaring our need before the Lord. He likes to hear us telling Him what bothers us. That prepared Mary for the post-resurrection encounter with the risen Lord. She gets a mission, she becomes the 'One Sent': "Go to my brothers and tell them." She, who was worn out, drained off her energy due to the seemingly hopeless situation, gets revived. On her feet, once again, she finds herself bearing the Good News. How much life we regain once we allow ourselves to encounter the Lord Jesus Christ.

May the Lord grant us the grace of perseverance so that we make bear authentic witness to the message of Christ and have eternal reunion with Him! Amen!! Remain safe and have a panic free day!!!