The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to ponder the experience of disbelief and the influence of the Spirit in the resolution of this faith tension.
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the Sanhedrin responds as the people praised God.
Psalm 118 is a Song of Victory.
* [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). (Psalms, PSALM 118, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, two Disciples and Jesus commissions the Disciples.
* [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. (Mark, CHAPTER 16, n.d.)
Larry Gillick, S.J. comments that the invitation for us is whether seeing is believing or is believing a way of seeing. The problem with seeing and hearing is that we will always need more information, more appearances please! These information-centered days makes knowing easier, but we “Googalize” just to make sure. Being sure then becomes the new way of believing.
These post-Easter days we are invited to a way of seeing the appearances of God’s love through the eyes and ears of belief - not so easy. We “Gospelize” and walk and live in this most counter-cultural manner. Trusting does free us to live with and beyond vulnerability. We go out through our insecurities to live the proclamation that He has risen into our lives and invites us to be seen and heard in the ways of His appearing through us. It does take some doubting to be believing. We do believe what we hear and see, but we do it within the confines of our fragility. Jesus, keep pulling my leg to help me walk in faith. (Gillick, 2023)
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) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 4:13-21 advises us to look at what’s right in front of us. Watch the sunrise and let it inspire us to give praise to God. What a marvel that he offers us such beauty each new morning! Look into the face of our child or grandchild and see the wonder of God’s faithfulness throughout our life. Let it fortify our hope for the future. Take a deep breath and thank God for the miracle of our own life, which he holds in his hands.
Taking the time to notice these miracles can build your faith and increase your expectation that God can do even greater things for you or your loved ones. Miracles still do happen today!
“Lord, give me new eyes to see the miracles all around me!” (Meditation on Acts 4:13-21, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the Spirit filling Peter and John with courage as they are interrogated by the Sanhedrin. The original ending of Mark may have been connected to his audience of martyrs in Rome who may have been experiencing fear. Friar Jude supports the canonical nature of the longer ending as an amalgam of the other Gospels.
Peter Edmonds SJ, a tutor in biblical studies at Campion Hall, University of Oxford, looks closely at Mark’s gospel and suggests what encouragement it might have given to early Christians. The reader already knows what Peter confesses half way through the story, ‘You are the Christ’ (Mark 8:29), and what the centurion would proclaim once Jesus had died, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son’ (Mark 15:39).
Yet paradoxically, the gospel ends with flight and fear, with terror and amazement (Mark 16:8). It is with this verse that most experts on this gospel find the conclusion of the story rather than with Mark 16:8b-20, which was added later…
The final verses of Mark follow as a sort of epilogue, providing a summary of various appearances which are related in other gospels; they are written in a different style from the rest of the gospel, and are commonly considered as added by a different writer (16:9-20). (Edmonds, 2010)
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Catholic writer Judy Cannato who describes the pattern of death-to-new-life which began with the Big Bang and invites us to consider our cosmic origin.
Imagine that you are a witness to the supernova that gave birth to our Sun. See the giant burning star grow redder and redder and then die as it explodes into billions of pieces, rippling space and spewing cosmic debris in all directions. Acknowledge the loss that this death has brought about.… Envision the debris from the supernova interact with a great cloud of hydrogen, and then see bits and pieces pulled together by gravity and take the shape of a new star. Watch as the Sun cools and begins a regular rotation that holds planets in orbit.… Identify the planets that you know: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto.… Bring your attention back to Earth. See how her outer crust hardens, the seas gather, and life begins to emerge.… Become aware of how closely connected our life is to the Sun.… What new perceptions about life and death are emerging in you? What is it you want to say to the Creator?
What are the “supernova experiences” of your own life? Where have you encountered the life-death-life-death movement that is a painful yet necessary part of the universe?…
Sit quietly for a moment. What does the Spirit want you to see? How do you respond? (Rohr, 2023)
We are witnesses to changes and events in our lives that invoke praise and wonder for our experience of the Presence of God. He is Risen!
References
Edmonds, P. (2010, April 22). Saint Mark the Pastor. Thinking Faith. Retrieved April 15, 2023, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100422_1.htm
Gillick, L. (2023, April 15). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 15, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/041523.html
Mark, CHAPTER 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 15, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/16?9
Meditation on Acts 4:13-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 15, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/04/15/657185/
Psalms, PSALM 118. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 15, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/118?1
Rohr, R. (2023, April 15). The Resurrected Christ: Weekly Summary — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-resurrected-christ-weekly-summary-2023-04-15/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Go and Preach the Gospel to the Whole Creation. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 15, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=apr15
No comments:
Post a Comment