Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 6, 2024

Date:   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:

Today’s gospel text is the short recounting of Jesus’ post resurrection presence according to Mark. We learn of Jesus’ multiple interactions with others: with Mary Magdalene; with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, with the disciples in the upper room. Jesus does two things in His instructions before His ascension: Jesus rebukes those who did not believe; Jesus commands all believers to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I dismiss other’s faith? Do I dismiss Jesus’ call to me? How exactly am I proclaiming the Gospel to every creature?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Savior, this week as we celebrate anew your death for our sins and your resurrection for our life, we beg of You to send your Spirit as You did to the disciples to stir within us the zeal for the Gospel necessary to be messengers wherever we go and in whatever we are doing. Grant that we may willingly and lovingly deny ourselves, pick up our own crosses, and follow in your footsteps. Make of us not only the disciples You call us to be but also the apostles You command us to be – going forth in Your name – proclaiming the Gospel. Amen.