Mark 16:9-15

Acts 4:13-21

Psalm 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21

Mark 16:9-15

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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I rejoice today as I contemplate the great things you have done. I want to proclaim the joy of the Resurrection to every creature. The mystery of your Son’s Resurrection is the great sign that fills me with hope for eternal life with you.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Struggle to Believe in Jesus’ Resurrection: In the Gospel of Mark, we find a summary of three appearances of the risen Jesus to his disciples and a record of their different responses. Mary Magdalene saw the risen Jesus near the empty tomb but only recognized him when she heard him call her name. She went and announced Jesus’ resurrection to the apostles, but they did not believe her. On the way to Emmaus, Jesus appeared to Cleopas and another disciple. They returned to Jerusalem and announced the resurrection, but the disciples again did not believe them. Only when Jesus himself appears while they are at table do they believe. On the one hand, Jesus rebukes them for their lack of faith and hardness of heart; on the other, Jesus gives them the mission to go out into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel. Their encounter with the risen Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit will help them overcome their limitations and they will spread the Gospel to all nations. Sometimes we ourselves are slow to believe, but this does not negate our mission to preach the Gospel. Our prayer is: "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief".

2. The Fearless Proclamation of the Gospel: In the Acts of the Apostles, we see Peter and John proclaim the Gospel fearlessly. They are bold in their witness because they are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Although uneducated in the Law of Moses, they speak with confidence and authority to those who have dedicated their lives to the study of Scripture. The Sanhedrin, in contrast to the disciples, are speechless and unable to explain the remarkable sign of the healing of the man crippled from birth. “The members of the Sanhedrin are befuddled, frustrated, and struggling to limit the damage. Their consultation about Peter and John illustrates the powerlessness of Israel’s old leadership to effectively counter the apostolic leaders of the renewed Israel” (Kurz, Acts of the Apostles, p. 83).

3. Obeying God: Jesus commanded the apostles to preach the Gospel in his name; the Sanhedrin commands them not to speak to anyone or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter responds that, in this case, they must obey God rather than the Sanhedrin. It is impossible for them not to speak about what they have seen and heard. They are witnesses to the Resurrection and their faith in Jesus is not in vain. They have received a gift from God and want to share that gift with all men.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you rebuked your disciples for their unbelief and hardness of heart. Help me to overcome my own unbelief and stubbornness and fully embrace the new life of your resurrection.

Living the Word of God: How can I fearlessly proclaim the Gospel to those I meet this upcoming week? Is there someone in particular in my life – a coworker or a family member, perhaps – that needs to hear the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ?