Readings for Saturday in the Octave of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 4:13-21
We hear today the conclusion of the story of the healing of the lame beggar at the “Beautiful” Gate. The Sanhedrin has a problem, too many people saw the miracle done in Jesus’ name. They attempt damage control by threatening Peter and John. This does not work and we hear the final word of their kerygmatic discourse as they proclaim once more Christ Risen. Significant is the fact that the reason the Sanhedrin could not punish them further was the event had been attributed by the people to God’s mercy not to the disciples themselves.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
We continue to hear from Psalm 118, the great litany of thanksgiving in today’s selection. It leads nicely into the Gospel with “I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior.”
Gospel Mk 16:9-15
This Gospel selection is called “The Longer Ending” or “The Canonical Ending” of St. Mark’s Gospel. It captures pieces of the story we have from the Gospels of St. Luke and St. John. The emotion expressed is one of fear and determination rather than joy and confidence found in later writings. On this Saturday in the Octave of Easter we hear the story of the risen Lord encapsulated by Mark. This earliest of the Gospel accounts provides a very human account of Jesus’ friends immediately following his death and before their recognition of his risen victory.
Reflection:
Today we are stuck with an amazing contrast. Look at Peter and John in front of the Sanhedrin in the reading from Acts. They stand their boldly, facing down the very leaders who crucified the Savior of the world. Threatened with the same sort of fate, they unflinchingly proclaim Christ crucified and risen.
Now look at those same ordinary disciples who become extraordinary as they cower in St. Mark’s Gospel. Mary Magdalene comes to them after visiting the tomb and tells them what she has seen and they don’t believe her. Then the two disciples who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus return and say they have seen the Risen Christ. The disciples do not believe them either. It is only when the Lord himself comes to them and stands before them.
The transformation is immediate and radical. Suddenly these fearful men become the fearless professors of the truth we see in Acts. Could just the appearance of Jesus have caused this transformation? Yes, there is a lot of the story that takes place between these two depictions of the Apostles. We look forward to Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Spirit when the great work of evangelization begins in earnest. But Mark does tell us they were pushed into the world by this event.
What about us? We still revel in our Easter joy, the words of the Exultet, the Easter Proclamation still echoing in our minds. The Gospel reminds us that there is a consequence to our celebration that must manifest itself in action. Just as the disciples were sent into the world, we too are sent. There mission is our mission. Through our words, prayers and actions we pray that our light will join with the light of the Easter Candle that illuminates every heart. We hear His words: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Pax
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 4:13-21
We hear today the conclusion of the story of the healing of the lame beggar at the “Beautiful” Gate. The Sanhedrin has a problem, too many people saw the miracle done in Jesus’ name. They attempt damage control by threatening Peter and John. This does not work and we hear the final word of their kerygmatic discourse as they proclaim once more Christ Risen. Significant is the fact that the reason the Sanhedrin could not punish them further was the event had been attributed by the people to God’s mercy not to the disciples themselves.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
We continue to hear from Psalm 118, the great litany of thanksgiving in today’s selection. It leads nicely into the Gospel with “I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior.”
Gospel Mk 16:9-15
This Gospel selection is called “The Longer Ending” or “The Canonical Ending” of St. Mark’s Gospel. It captures pieces of the story we have from the Gospels of St. Luke and St. John. The emotion expressed is one of fear and determination rather than joy and confidence found in later writings. On this Saturday in the Octave of Easter we hear the story of the risen Lord encapsulated by Mark. This earliest of the Gospel accounts provides a very human account of Jesus’ friends immediately following his death and before their recognition of his risen victory.
Reflection:
Today we are stuck with an amazing contrast. Look at Peter and John in front of the Sanhedrin in the reading from Acts. They stand their boldly, facing down the very leaders who crucified the Savior of the world. Threatened with the same sort of fate, they unflinchingly proclaim Christ crucified and risen.
Now look at those same ordinary disciples who become extraordinary as they cower in St. Mark’s Gospel. Mary Magdalene comes to them after visiting the tomb and tells them what she has seen and they don’t believe her. Then the two disciples who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus return and say they have seen the Risen Christ. The disciples do not believe them either. It is only when the Lord himself comes to them and stands before them.
The transformation is immediate and radical. Suddenly these fearful men become the fearless professors of the truth we see in Acts. Could just the appearance of Jesus have caused this transformation? Yes, there is a lot of the story that takes place between these two depictions of the Apostles. We look forward to Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Spirit when the great work of evangelization begins in earnest. But Mark does tell us they were pushed into the world by this event.
What about us? We still revel in our Easter joy, the words of the Exultet, the Easter Proclamation still echoing in our minds. The Gospel reminds us that there is a consequence to our celebration that must manifest itself in action. Just as the disciples were sent into the world, we too are sent. There mission is our mission. Through our words, prayers and actions we pray that our light will join with the light of the Easter Candle that illuminates every heart. We hear His words: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Pax
Please Pray for Esther.
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “The Risen Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalene” by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, 1638
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