Word to the Wise
Saturday, April 23, 2022 - Octave of Easter - Sat
[Acts 4:13-21 and Mark 16:9-15]"Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature." [Mark]
Like the Gospel According to John, the Gospel According to Mark has an "appendix!" This appendix seems to have been added after all four gospels were in circulation because it appears to have borrowed from Luke and John. The Greek is different from the rest of the gospel text. Nevertheless, like the Johannine appendix, it has been accepted as divinely inspired.
One of the striking characteristics of the passage is the disbelief of the disciples when they hear the testimony of the women and of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. It is only when Jesus appears to the disciples that they believe. This echoes the account of Thomas' disbelief in the Gospel According to John. In a broader context, the passage reflects the rejection that Jesus consistently experienced in the Gospel According to Mark. Jesus' rebuke of their disbelief and hardness of heart is stinging. Then, they get their "marching orders" which are ours as well. "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature."
Because the resurrection of the Lord is celebrated solemnly only at Easter, it is easy to "move on" to other considerations of the gospel once Pentecost comes and goes. But the identity of Jesus and the rest of his life receive their authority from the cross and empty tomb!!! In the Gospel According to Mark, this is why Jesus orders those who benefit from his miracles not to talk about them, because they are not the important proof of his identity. It is at the cross that a pagan centurion will recognize Jesus as the Son of God.[Mark 16:39]. This stands in stark contrast to the initial weak faith of the disciples.
We stand on the testimony of the witnesses in the New Testament. Jesus' command to them is his command to us. What are we doing about it? AMEN