The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the confidence and joy that accompanied the proclamation of the Good News of Christ by Peter and John.
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| Contemplate speaking |
The reading from the Book of Acts describes the boldness of the apostles before the Sanhedrin.
Before the Sanhedrin1
In Psalm 118, God’s rescue is recounted. Then follows a possible dialogue at the Temple gates between the priests and the psalmist as the latter enters to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice.
* [Psalm 118] A thanksgiving liturgy accompanying a procession of the king and the people into the Temple precincts. After an invocation in the form of a litany (Ps 118:1–4), the psalmist (very likely speaking in the name of the community) describes how the people confidently implored God’s help (Ps 118:5–9) when hostile peoples threatened its life (Ps 118:10–14); vividly God’s rescue is recounted (Ps 118:15–18). Then follows a possible dialogue at the Temple gates between the priests and the psalmist as the latter enters to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice (Ps 118:19–25). Finally, the priests impart their blessing (Ps 118:26–27), and the psalmist sings in gratitude (Ps 118:28–29).2
The longer ending to the Gospel of Mark summarizes Jesus' appearance to Mary Magdalene, to Two Disciples and the Commissioning of the Eleven.
* [16:9–20] This passage, termed the Longer Ending to the Marcan gospel by comparison with a much briefer conclusion found in some less important manuscripts, has traditionally been accepted as a canonical part of the gospel and was defined as such by the Council of Trent. Early citations of it by the Fathers indicate that it was composed by the second century, although vocabulary and style indicate that it was written by someone other than Mark. It is a general resume of the material concerning the appearances of the risen Jesus, reflecting, in particular, traditions found in Lk 24 and Jn 20.3
Nicky Santos, S.J. would like to focus our reflection on these somewhat contrasting responses that Mary Magdalene and the disciples present to the resurrection of Jesus.
Why then their unbelief and hardness of heart? One likely reason could be that they, as the disciples of Jesus, would have expected him first to appear to them. This is definitely not an unreasonable expectation. But as we ponder and reflect over this in the context of our own lives, we realize that such a supposition could be a block or obstacle to our encountering the risen Christ in our daily lives. If we think, that because of our baptism, or our privileged status as church leaders, clergy, religious etc. we have a special claim to God revealing himself to us, we become hard of heart and close ourselves to all those ways that God reaches out to us through ordinary people and in ordinary moments of our life.
Let us pray for humility during this Easter season as we live out the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that our hearts might be supple so as to experience the risen Christ in ways that we might least expect it.4
Don Schwager quotes “The Great Commission,” by Augustine of Hippo, 430-543 A.D.
"The command to the apostles to be witnesses to him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even to the uttermost parts of the earth was not addressed exclusively to those to whom it was immediately spoken. They alone would not be the only ones who would carry such an enormous task to completion. Similarly he seems to be speaking to the apostles very personally when he says: "Behold I am with you even to the end of the world," yet who does not know that he made this promise to the universal church which will last from now even to the consummation of the world by successive births and deaths?" (excerpt from Letter 199, To Hesychius 49)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 4:13-21 comments when Jesus appears, he rebukes them for their unbelief and hardness of heart (Mark 16:14). They’re happy to see him, but they still have doubts and suspicions. But just seven weeks later, on the Jewish feast of Pentecost, Peter preaches boldly. From that point on, he and all the disciples amaze the Jewish leaders because of their courage and clear preaching (Acts 4:13). So what happened?
Peter and John’s transformation can seem so dramatic that we might think it’s beyond us. We might think, “I could never talk about God like that. I don’t even know what to say to my son who has stopped going to Mass.” Or “If only I were a little smarter, I could speak up during my Bible study.” But the first Christians were ordinary men and women just like us. They had families and jobs, doubts and fears, sins and failures. And God used them—he gave them his Spirit and changed their lives.6
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the courage of the apostles before the Sanhedrin as they proclaim the kerygma. The language, grammar, and theology of the longer ending to Mark point to later composition by a scribe inspired by the other Gospels. Friar Jude notes the erroneous portrayal of Mary Magdalene as a “loose woman”.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares that during this time of social distancing from other humans, it is still possible for some of us to practice “ecotherapy” or in Japanese, Shinrin-yoku—refreshment and healing by walking or resting where there are trees or forests… From M. Amos Clifford’s book Your Guide to Forest Bathing:
The invitation is simple: Walk slowly [or sit still], while silently noticing what is in motion in the forest. There is always movement, even when things seem perfectly still. Strands of a web drift in the air, trees move in the breezes, birds fly by, and squirrels scramble in the branches, grasses bend, insects crawl. . . When you find you have automatically sped up, come to a complete halt for a moment. It’s an opportunity to fully give your attention to one thing, noticing how that thing is in motion. After a brief pause you’ll be ready to continue your slow walk.I recommend that you walk like this for at least 15 minutes. That’s enough time for your mind to go through several cycles of distraction and calming. [5]7
Becoming aware of the Grace in our lives that equips us to share the Good News like the apostles is facilitated by practices that bring calm and contemplation to moments in our day.
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