“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.” – C.S. Lewis

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Thank you!

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Mark 16:15

Jesus said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”

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Today’s gospel reading starts just after a rather telling verse that was not included.

That’s where the resurrected Jesus appears to the apostles, all the men who had abandoned him, and “rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised” (Mark 16:14).

Also interesting how the writer reduced the women and namely Mary Magdalene to “those who saw him after he had been raised.”

The canonical gospels all agree about this.

But then Jesus makes a complete about-face and sends the apostles forth to proclaim the gospel to every creature.

So, he forgives without so much as a word from these guys.

This is the gospel.

God forgives.

God loves unconditionally.

I’m sure at this point the apostles knew that deeply in their hearts because the master had just taught them a real-life lesson in God’s forgiveness.

I find it also interesting that Jesus wanted his followers to proclaim the gospel to every creature.

Not just humans.

All creatures need to know they are loved and treasured.

We do this by being good stewards of the earth and all that lives on it.

This takes action.

It means being compassionate and caring for all the Earth and all that lives on it and in it.

And it means standing for those without power.

We are all called to do this.

No one is excluded from God’s love.

That’s what makes it Good News!

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Remember: God loves you!