Breaking the Word

Saturday within Easter Octave – 23^rd April 2022 — Gospel: Mk 16,9-15

Good News to Whole Creation

Mark presents the resurrection appearance of Jesus three times; but each concluding with their refusal of unbelief. The first appearance to Mary Magdalene is consistent with the other gospels, but when she communicates the news to others that Jesus is alive, they do not believe her. The next event summarizes the appearance of Jesus to two disciples, similar to Emmaus experience of Luke’s gospel, which again is not believed by others. When Jesus appears to the eleven at table, the account resembles Johannine and Lukan version, he rebukes them for their refusal to believe in his witnesses. Despite Jesus repeatedly saying many times during his ministry that the Son of man would die and rise on the third day, his disciples did not understand what he meant. Neither could they be able to grasp the meaning of resurrection appearances through other persons. The simple reason is that they had the tendency to ignore all that is beyond their cognitive spectrum. Therefore, Jesus commissions his disciples to “proclaim the good news to whole creation.” The gospel gets shifted from people of Israel to all believers, Jews and Gentiles alike; from chosen ones to the whole world.

Friday within Easter Octave – 22^nd April 2022 — Gospel: John 21, 1-14

Community and Oneness

Peter decided to go back to a familiar task – fishing. Perhaps for Peter, it was a way to find space to think, a safe place to talk at ease with the others. Nevertheless, this was a sign of great disappointment. The response of the other six to Peter’s statement indicates a sense of community and oneness.  Though they may not be able to fully understand the significance of going fishing at this time, they collaborate with Peter. They had pulled together. However, despite all their efforts, they did not catch anything. Jesus then appears in their midst and asks a question about the catch. They respond that they caught nothing. However, they obeyed Jesus’ command to cast the net on the right side and were successful.