He... rebuked them for their unbelief
REFLECTIONS TODAY
Jesus’ resurrection was something new to the disciples, or to anyone else. It is not coming back to life as in the case of Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter, or the son of the widow of Nain.
When Jesus first intimated that he would rise from the dead, the disciples were questioning what rising from the dead meant (Mk 9:10). Jesus does not return to his former way of existence; he has entered into the “space” of God, sharing the glorious life. Paradoxically, he is the same Jesus, but not quite the same.
Confronted with God’s revelation of raising Jesus from the dead, the disciples do not know how to react. They do not believe the report of Mary Magdalene and of two of them walking along on their way to the country. Jesus appears to them and rebukes them for their unbelief. The resurrection is God’s vindication of Jesus’ transcendent dignity. While astonishment and fear may be natural human reactions to this revelation, these should give way to faith.
Despite the disciples’ doubt, they are nonetheless sent to preach the Gospel to the whole world. Jesus shows himself not to the whole world, but to some chosen witnesses. Life after Easter is still walking by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). Only at the end will the glorious Christ be revealed to all. Life is still an adventure in light and in darkness, in faith and in doubt.
Gospel • 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.”’
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.