Daily Gospel Reflection
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April 11, 2026
When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week,
he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,
out of whom he had driven seven demons.
She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping.
When they heard that he was alive
and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
After this he appeared in another form
to two of them walking along on their way to the country.
They returned and told the others;
but they did not believe them either.
But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them
and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart
because they had not believed those
who saw him after he had been raised.
He said to them, “Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The full readings of the day from the Lectionary are available here.
The Gospel today helps us reflect on some of Jesus’ teachings. Faith, trust and the importance of not hardening our hearts but rather keeping our hearts open to pure belief in the presence of God. St. Augustine reminds us that, “Faith is to believe what you do not yet see, the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” So true.
Here we have the disciples, who seem to have a questionable reaction to the news that Jesus is alive. Why aren’t they excited and rejoicing immediately? Perhaps the disciples in the midst of mourning, are fearful that this is not true, that Jesus has not risen and therefore not getting the answer they truly want. At times, it can feel like we too can’t see God, so we hesitate to turn to him out of fear of not getting the answer we desire. We see people struggling, with health challenges, financial struggles or heartbreaking circumstances but when we remember that God and his eternal love are always there, we are able to make it through anything.
At the closing of this passage, Jesus commands us to go into the world and proclaim the gospel. St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel at all times…when necessary, use words…” Like Mary Magdalene, we too can proclaim that we have seen the Lord by using our lives to do so. It will not only deepen our own faith but the faith of those who witness it as well. Help a neighbor in need, make a phone call, send a text or card, cook a meal, visit the elderly…the ways to share the gospel are endless, continuing to love our neighbor as ourselves will do exactly what Jesus asks of us.
Prayer
God of all wisdom and grace, you fill us with unwavering zeal to proclaim the truth of our faith wherever your Spirit leads us. Give us courage and determination to live out our faith even amid this harsh and challenging world. May our lives reflect your radiance as you lead us into your promise of everlasting life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Stanislaus, one of the most famous Polish saints, was born in Poland in 1030. His parents were from a noble family, yet they were childless until their fervent prayers were answered with the birth of Stanislaus. As a result of this gift to their prayer, they dedicated their new baby to the service of God.
He was educated and ordained a priest, and his bishop gave him a prominent position in the cathedral in Krakow. He was an eloquent preacher and a great example of holiness—his words and actions inspired both laypeople and clergy. People came from all over for his advice.
The bishop offered to step down from his office so that Stanislaus could lead the church there, but the saint would not hear of it. When the bishop died, though, the pope named him bishop of Krakow in 1072. As bishop, he continued his preaching and made regular visits to the people under his care. It is said that his house was crowded with poor people and that he maintained a list of widows and other people in crisis so that he could regularly offer them assistance.
The king of Poland at the time, Boleslaus II, was a cruel man known for his savagery in war and in the way he ruled his people. Stanislaus tried to correct the king, noting the scandal that his behavior caused, but he did not change his ways. When the king forcefully kidnapped the wife of a nobleman, the Polish nobility turned to government and church leaders to do something. No one wanted to offend the king and incur his wrath, but Stanislaus was not afraid. He threatened the king with excommunication.
When the king did not release the nobleman’s wife, Stanislaus formally excommunicated Boleslaus. When the king tried to enter the cathedral for Mass, the priests would not celebrate the liturgy in his presence by order of Stanislaus. Boleslaus tracked Stanislaus down, found him in a chapel outside the city, and ordered his guards to kill him. They refused, and he entered the chapel with his own sword and killed Stanislaus.
Stanislaus’ body was cut to pieces and thrown about the countryside to be eaten by wild animals. Legend has it that eagles protected the remains until they could be collected and preserved as relics, some of which rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica. He is the patron saint of Poland.
St. Stanislaus, you are the patron saint of Poland, who was not afraid to stand up to a cruel king—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Stanislaus is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed February 21, 2025.