Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 26, 2025

Saturday in the Octave of Easter

Scripture Text: 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.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today from Mark recounts Jesus’ appearances to His followers following His resurrection. Mary Magdalene and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus had been “apostles” – they had told others the good news. Jesus then appears to the 11 remaining disciples and gives them the mission of proclaiming the Gospel – the mission of being an “apostle.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I share the good news with others? Have I taken my mission in Christ seriously?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, Son of God, we celebrate your victory over sin and death as we celebrate Easter. Send your Spirit to fortify my desire to be your disciple and to take the Good News to others so that they, too, may come to know You and to love You and to seek to follow You. As we celebrate your life, grant that we may look forward to life in abundance with You and the Father and the Spirit. Amen.