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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. Mark 16:9–11
Today’s Gospel from Saint Mark offers a concise summary of three of
Jesus’ resurrection appearances. Rather than presenting these
appearances in detail or as separate encounters, Mark strings them
together to convey one clear message: fear and despair resulting
from suffering must give way to faith and hope because of the
Resurrection.
Mark’s Gospel begins with Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene,
simply stating that Jesus appeared to her. Immediately, Mark
relates that Mary went to tell Jesus’ companions, including the
eleven and some other followers. When Mary went to tell them Jesus
had appeared to her, she found them “mourning and weeping.” After
she told them Jesus had risen, “they did not believe.”
“Mourning and weeping” are the result of fear, doubt, and despair.
While mourning in the form of holy sorrow can arise from genuine
charity, as taught in the Beatitudes, mourning as sadness stems
from a heart overcome by fear, anxiety, or doubt—each of which can
lead to despair. The fruit of despair, as Mark reveals here, is
disbelief.
After this account, Mark relates a shortened version of Jesus’
appearance to two disciples on the way to Emmaus. That same Easter
day on which Jesus rose and appeared to Mary Magdalene, He appeared
to these two disciples. They quickly returned to Jerusalem to share
their experience with the eleven and other disciples, who had
already disbelieved Mary Magdalene’s testimony. Once again, “they
did not believe them either.”
Finally, later on the same day, Mark states: “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” (Mark 16:14). Saint Mark the Evangelist
wants us to know that even the eleven remaining Apostles, along
with the other disciples, did not immediately believe in the
Resurrection. They did not believe until Jesus appeared before
them, revealing their hardness of heart that prevented true faith
in His word. Jesus rebuked them for this unbelief, showing that the
heart closed to faith cannot receive the hope He offers.
If Jesus’ closest companions struggled with faith in the
Resurrection and the hope that such faith brings, then we should
each prayerfully reflect upon the depth of faith—or lack thereof—we
have in the Resurrection.
Practically speaking, what does it mean to have faith in the
Resurrection? It means that we will not face life’s crosses with
self-pity, sadness, discouragement, or despair. If we understand
the glory and transforming power of Christ’s Resurrection, we will
immediately perceive every suffering we endure as an opportunity
for grace and triumph, not defeat.
Because the disciples did not yet understand the Resurrection, they
were mourning without hope. Their minds could not comprehend that
the death they had witnessed just days before was now transformed
into the most glorious event in human history. When Jesus appeared
to them as a group, His rebuke was an act of love, to teach them
they must change their understanding of His death and see it
through the lens of His Resurrection. We must do the same in our
lives.
Reflect today on any cross you carry or suffering you endure. Learn
from the sadness and despair that led to disbelief among the
disciples. Listen to our Resurrected Lord who lovingly rebukes you
and invites you to see the great value in every suffering that you
unite to His Cross. His Resurrection must bring a clarity that
instills hope into our lives. Commit to live as the disciples did,
after Jesus rebuked them, rejoicing that Jesus’ Resurrection
conquers all.
Most glorious Lord, Your Resurrection transformed Your suffering
and death into the means of eternal salvation for all who believe
in You. Help me to be open to that transforming grace and to unite
my own sufferings with Yours so that all I endure will be
transformed and so that I may share in the glory of Your
Resurrection. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: First Preacher of the Resurrection
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