Easter Saturday (2)

Peter H. Davids

Easter • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

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The longer ending of Mark contains a series of witnesses, not believed by the 11, but sharing their joy. We see this also in Acts 3, Peter and John artlessly sharing what they had seen and heard, including, when the Spirit prompted, by healing. This bold sharing enables them to remain uncowed by threats while not threatening back. That fearless proclamation should be the result of genuine being with Jesus and it will indeed please God even if it does not please people at all.

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Proclaim in All the World

Outline

If you look at the typical Greek New Testament, it will be difficult to find our reading from Mark

It may be there in smaller print and/or brackets along with the so-call shorter ending of Mark

It may only be in the footnotes along with references to the manuscripts that include it

But while it is later than the original text of Mark, it did exist in the text of Mark by the time Mark was included in the later canonical lists, so it is accepted as inspired by the Catholic Church

That longer-ending of Mark is a summary of material found in the other gospels

While other women were mentioned earlier in Mark 16, here we have Mary Magdalene from John with the reference to her having had seven demons from Luke: she was the first to see Jesus

Luke is the only other gospel to have the story of the two walking to Emmaus

These three people and the women earlier in Mark have one thing in common: they were not believed by the eleven

And here we have Matthew’s “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation” with the addition “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Again the “go” is really “as you go” - wherever you go proclaim.

In other words, here we have examples of proclamation, of witness to their personal experience, and the command to do so, but also the warning that they will not necessarily be believed.

That unbelief does not invalidate the message

Peter and John were going to the mid-afternoon Temple Prayers - that was the plan - when in the press of the crowd they walked by a lame beggar who caught their eye and asked for alms.

Peter, probably feeling an impulse from God, says: “We have no money, but we will give you what we do have: in the name of Jesus walk.” That led to an impromptu homily with many converted. That led to an arrest, an overnight stay in jail, and an examination by the Sanhedrin, to which they speak boldly rather than be cowed as was appropriate to their class and the class of Jesus (technos).

This bold witness surprised the Jewish leaders and “they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

Ah, yes: bold proclamation and an undeniable healing - it is the healing that holds the leaders back from some harsh punishment - yet this is not met with faith, but with threats - much harsher than the 11 to the witnesses on Easter and enough to shut up most common men and women. But it does not cow these “unlettered and unschooled” men: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

They do not threaten back - they leave judgment to God - but they do not back down.

Sisters, that is Easter faith

The goal of the Triduum, of every mass, and of our various other devotions is to encounter the risen Lord, to be with Jesus, and to be changed by him. For some it is slow and gradual, while for others it is faster and dramatic.

What God wants us to do with this being-with-Jesus is to speak with others of what we have seen and heard - simply, artlessly, and at the impulse of the Spirit.

That will not necessarily lead to numbers of converts or acceptance by other people, but it will be “right in the sight of God” and lead to his acceptance.

Live without fear and live in the joy of Easter.

May that be true of my life and of your lives as we await our Lord’s return.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 4-23-2022: Easter Saturday

FIRST READING

Acts 4:13–21

13 Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, they were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. 14 Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them, they could say nothing in reply. 15 So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, and conferred with one another, saying, 16 “What are we to do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign was done through them, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it may not be spread any further among the people, let us give them a stern warning never again to speak to anyone in this name.”

18 So they called them back and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 Peter and John, however, said to them in reply, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. 20 It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After threatening them further, they released them, finding no way to punish them, on account of the people who were all praising God for what had happened.

Catholic Daily Readings 4-23-2022: Easter Saturday

RESPONSE

Psalm 118:21a

21 I thank you for you answered me;

you have been my savior.

PSALM

Psalm 118:1, 14–15b, 16–21

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

his mercy endures forever.

14 The LORD, my strength and might,

has become my savior.

15 The joyful shout of deliverance

is heard in the tents of the righteous:

“The LORD’s right hand works valiantly;

16 the LORD’s right hand is raised;

the LORD’s right hand works valiantly.”

17 I shall not die but live

and declare the deeds of the LORD.

18 The LORD chastised me harshly,

but did not hand me over to death.

19 Open the gates of righteousness;

I will enter and thank the LORD.

20 This is the LORD’s own gate,

through it the righteous enter.

21 I thank you for you answered me;

you have been my savior.

Catholic Daily Readings 4-23-2022: Easter Saturday

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Psalm 118:24

24 This is the day the LORD has made;

let us rejoice in it and be glad.

GOSPEL

Mark 16:9–15

[9 When he had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

12 After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. 13 They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either.

14 [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. 15 He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 4-23-2022: Easter Saturday

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022 | EASTER

EASTER SATURDAY

YEARS ABC | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Acts 4:13–21

Response Psalm 118:21a

Psalm Psalm 118:1, 14–15b, 16–21

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 118:24

Gospel Mark 16:9–15

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