If the Risen Lord could have suffered from discouragement he might have suffered a little from that very human feeling in view of the reaction of his friends described in today's Gospel. When Mary Magdalen told his mourning and weeping companions that she had seen the Risen Jesus they flatly disbelieved her. The same disbelief met the report of two disciples to whom Jesus appeared as they were on their way to the country. All this after the three women (including Mary) were told by the angel at the tomb that Jesus had been raised. They were amazed, bewildered and afraid and said nothing to anybody at the time. Is there a note of exasperation in Jesus' voice as He talks to His disciples and sends them to proclaim his Gospel to the world?

What a contrast we find in the second reading which was written in the full light of the Resurrection of Jesus. The members of the Sanhedrin are at a complete loss as to how to deal with Peter and John. Those "uneducated, ordinary men" were boldly and confidently preaching in the name of Jesus. They threatened Peter and John and ordered them never again to speak in his name. Peter and John politely but firmly refused to promise that they would obey.

After uttering some more threats the Sanhedrin members had to let them go free at least for a time. Perhaps a verse from to day's Responsorial Psalm may have emboldened Peter and James. "The Lord, my strength and my might, comes to me as Saviour."