Sunday Readings: Acts 1.1-11; Ephesians 1.17-23; Mark 16.15-20
“Then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. They went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs” (Mark 16.19-20).
Sunday’s gospel comes from one of three alternative endings to Mark’s gospel. In the best and earliest manuscripts Mark’s gospel ends at 16.8 with Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and Salome coming out of the empty tomb in awe, trembling, and ecstasy. Inside a young man in a white robe has announced to them the core of our Christian faith. “Do not be amazed,” he says. “You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. Go tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him as he told you” (16.6-7).
As readers and hearers of the narrative, we stand with the women at the empty tomb, at the threshold between life and death, between the apparent finality of Jesus’ death and the promise of his resurrection. At this point the narrative deliberately suspends the women in awe and ecstasy. “They said nothing to anyone because they were afraid” (16.8).
This abrupt ending makes us, the hearers and readers of the gospel, the only ones who can tell others what the women have just heard: Jesus is risen and goes ahead of us. The surprise ending calls us to evangelize. The good news is ours to tell and live.
- How has reflection on the Sundays of Easter strengthened your faith this year?
- What have you questioned? How are you living your Easter faith?