Mark 16:9-15 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. (10) She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. (11) But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. (12) After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. (13) And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. (14) Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because  they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. (15) And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation."
 



M editation by Ray Bucko, S.J.

There is a story about a Greek philosopher who one day was seen talking to the statues in the marketplace.  When people asked him why he was talking to the statues he replied that no one who was alive would listen to him.

We cannot believe if we do not listen, if we dismiss the testimony of our ancestors in faith.   In today’s Gospel the risen Jesus appears to Mary and to the two disciples along the road.  Mary and the disciples witnessed their experience but the people to whom they witnessed did not believe.

But more than hearing is at stake here— belief is based not simply on an autitory process but on an experiential one.   Many of us (that would be me) identify with Thomas in the Gospel – he would not believe unless he experienced the risen Lord.  I suspect Tom was from Missouri, the show-me state.  I’m from New Jersey, the gardenia state – or is that garden state? 

In our first reading the Sanhedrin see that two ordinary men, Peter and John, cure a man through the power of Jesus. Rather than believing in the power of Christ the Sanhedrin ignore this manifestation and plot against the disciples. 

Both these stories hinge on the key task of witness.  In the first story, the Sanhedrin, although they recognize the miracle, seek to surpress the witness given by Peter and James.  In the second story, Jesus asks the disciples (that would be us) to go out and witness to the world.  There is an interesting reversal here – the apostles in the first reading are successful in their witness while the disciples in the second reading are unsuccessful.  Jesus does not rebuke the disciples for providing an ineffectual witness but rather he rebukes their hearers for not believing and in turn invites them to bear witness.

There is always a third reading at the daily liturgy, one that is in the process of being written—our own lives.  We have the option of talking to the statues in the church- they are very patient!  We can also tell others, bearing witness to the risen Lord.  Ignatius of Loyola gives us this principle: love shows itself more clearly in action then in words.  Instead of talking, we can do something. We witness through action as we do through words.

Last Sunday I was the presider for a community in Omaha.  Upstairs we celebrated the liturgy – the deacon gave a beautiful sermon on how people had rallied to his assistance when he was sick .  Downstairs volunteers were making sandwiches for the homeless.  Because of my own vision impairment the deacon and parishioners helped me navigate both spaces – and the stairs between.

That day the resurrection was proclaimed loudly through the breaking of the bread and the making of sandwiches, through those who reached out to help the deacon and the deacon and others who reached out to help me.

Go and make disciples of the whole world.  We can do that best by ourselves being disciples.  Whether we talk to the masses or to the marble statues, people will watch what we are doing.  What seems like a tall order (make disciples of all nations) begins with living a generous life, part of which is allowing others to be generous to us. 
 
 

Supplementary Reading
Rise Above the Opposition

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31

H ave you ever started a worthy and ambitious project with plenty of energy and an exciting vision, only to be waylaid by delays and opposition? That is the predicament the Jews found themselves in as they returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon to rebuild the temple so worship could resume.

The project started with flair and promise. But before long, mocking and opposition from those who wanted them to fail caused the workers to lose heart and turn their attention to their own projects. The project got stalled for over fifteen years. It wasn't until the people put God first in their hearts and actions again that the project resumed.

When discouragement and opposition overshadow your efforts, God will empower and lift your flagging spirit, strengthen your weary body, and lead you to success.


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A re you in a place today where discouragement and opposition are overshadowing your efforts? Reread today's scripture and take a mental snapshot of the image described there. Then next time you need a spiritual or emotional lift, draw on Isaiah 40:31 for strength.

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Note:  This excerpt was taken from the "Power for Life Daily Devotional"