Reflection

Daily Gospel Reflection April 18^th 2020

Gospel                                                   MK 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.”

Dear Friends and Family,

            The women and the disciples on the way to Emmaus both rushed to the Apostles and told them of the risen Lord, but the eleven did not believe.  Jesus chastises them later for their lack of belief and then challenges them to go out into the world.  We might wonder how those closest to Jesus could doubt the fantastic news of his resurrection, but if we are honest we doubt as well.  The latest survey from the Pew Research Center discovered only 30% of Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is present in the consecrated Eucharist.  While the miraculous gift of Jesus presence in the Eucharist has been consistently taught through the ages, why do we not believe in it today?

            Is it too incredible to be believed, that he has risen? Or does our doubt come from another source?  Notice Jesus does not leave any room for doubt, the apostles know first-hand of the resurrection of Jesus.  Could our doubt come from the second part of the Apostles’ encounter with the Risen Lord?  Jesus says to them,  “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”  If we believe that Jesus has risen, we must to respond.  What does that response look like today? We have to read and listen to his words from the Bible or the Sacred Scriptures proclaimed in the Mass.  We have to be able to say we are sorry when we have sinned and then (eventually when the Church is open) confess those sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  We have to share the great gift of love, that love that has changed our lives, with those we encounter, even those in our own homes.  We will have to live sacrificially.  These challenges may seem daunting and we still might shy away and have doubts.  But be assured that Jesus will not abandon us, he will walk with us and bless us, and give us the strength and faith that will move us to action.