Today’s Gospel Reading (Mark 16:9-15) is drawn from what is known as “the longer ending” of Mark’s Gospel (Mark 16:9-20). Though some scholars question canonical validity of Mark 16:9-20, it has been accepted since the Council of Trent. Other doubt for abrupt ending with Mark 16:8.
In Mark 16:1-8,
Mark describes how Mary Magdalene
and two other women (Mary the mother of James, and Salome) discovered that the
tomb of Jesus was empty, when they came there to put more myrrh scented with
spices. At first, they wondered who would roll back heavy stone to open the
closed entrance of the tomb. But when they looked inside the tomb, they discovered
it to be empty but saw an angel. Then, the angel announced to them that Jesus
who was crucified and laid in the tomb was no longer here because he was
raised. Furthermore, the angel commissioned them to tell the rest of the
disciples that risen Jesus is going to Galilee before them. However, they did
not tell this to anyone as they were seized with trembling and bewilderment.
Mark 16:8 tells that the good news of the
resurrection of Jesus, which was announced by the angel in the empty tomb was
not relayed by the women to the rest of the disciples because of these women
were overwhelmed by the shock of discovering the tomb being empty and the
angel.
When Mark penned down 16:8, his writing could have
been disrupted. And it is likely that he wrote more in 16:9-20.
In this narrative (vv. 9-20), Mark tells that risen
Jesus actually appeared to Mary Magdalene after she and two other women fled
from the empty tomb, too overwhelmed to tell the other disciples about Jesus’
resurrection as told by the angel. And this time, Mary Magdalene did not forget
to tell. So she told the disciples who had been with Jesus about the
resurrection as she herself witnessed it directly, seeing risen Jesus in
person. But, they did not believe it (Mark 16:9-11).
Risen Jesus also appeared to two disciples while
they were talking to the country. So, they returned to where the rest of the
disciples were and told them about their encounter with risen Jesus. But, they
did not believe it, either (Mark 16:12-13). This portion of the narrative
echoes Luke 24:13-35.
The tomb was opened and made empty with the
resurrection of Jesus. But, the disciples’ hearts remained closed to this truth
of the resurrection because of their doubt and fear, which were due to their
lukewarm faith.
But later, risen Jesus appeared to the eleven
disciples and rebuked them for their unbelief an hardness of heart (Mark 16:14)
and commissioned them for mission (Mark 16:15).
As with all other Gospel narratives of the
resurrection, we have been reading ever since Paschal Vigil Mass, this Gospel
Reading today on the resurrection also reminds us how difficult it was for the
disciples to believe and come to terms with the truth of the resurrection. In
this Gospel passage, risen Jesus had to rebuke the disciples for not being able
to believe (Mark 16:14) – though the truth of the resurrection was first
announced by the angel (Mark 16:6), then by Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:10), and by
the two disciples (Mark 16:13). We can sense risen Jesus’ frustration with the
disciples’ difficulties in believing in his resurrection. And this is what precedes Paschal joy –
though Mark did not write the joy that the disciples had upon recognizing the
resurrection and believing it, as other Gospel writers did.
Nevertheless, risen Jesus commissioned the disciples to proclaim the Gospel (Good News), in which his resurrection is pivotal in the whole world to all creatures (Mark 16:15).
And it is a persistent theme we have been
deciphering and reflecting throughout Paschal Octave Gospel Readings that realization
of the resurrection leads to the commissioning to be sent out on mission to
proclaim the Good News of Jesus, who has been risen from the dead. Thus,
Paschaltide is a preparatory period for Pentecost, through which we are sent
out on mission, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
So, as we have been reading and reflecting from the
Acts of the Apostles for Frist Readings ever since Paschal Sunday Mass, we
continue to see how Peter, who once denied Jesus out of fear of persecution,
courageously speak about Jesus and how his bold mission has been affecting the
world.
In today’s First Reading (Acts 4:13-21), we see
victory of Peter over the religious leader’s attempt to suppress him.
As we have been reading since Monday of Paschal
Octave for First Reading, Peter’s life has been renewed since Pentecost, after
coming to terms with the resurrection of Jesus, having his old coward self
crucified and living to God (i.e. Romans 6:11). Ever since Peter rose and spoke
so boldly about Jesus upon being infused with the powerful Holy Spirit on
Pentecost, he has been free from fear in carrying on with the works of Jesus as
Jesus said in John 14:12.
Peter healed a paralyzed beggar in public and spoke
about this healing act as a continuing and unfolding works of Jesus, who was
crucified because of people’s ignorance but raised from the dead, through him
(Acts 3:1-26). And, this sure draw the attention of the religious leaders who
conspired the Roman authority to kill Jesus, having Peter detained and
questioned (Acts 4:1-20) but released with a warning not to speak of Jesus any
more (Acts 4:21).
The religious leaders had observed the whole thing –
how Peter actually healed an old paralyzed beggar and how the public reacted in
praising God upon witnessing Peter’s act. So, they realized that it was
difficult that they arrest and imprison Peter at that time. Basically, they
really did not know what to do with Peter and his companion for the whole thing
– John. That is why they concluded to release them with warning (Acts 4:13-22).
See the power of what the resurrection leads to in
Peter. And this empowerment shall also affects us as we continue to celebrate
and reflect the resurrection in preparing for Pentecost – though some of us may
not quite settle with the truth of the resurrection.
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