Gospel: Mark 16: 9-15
Today's Gospel passage is blunt in its assessment of the men locked within the upper room. Their failure to believe Mary Magdalene, the other women, and the two disciples of Emmaus bring a sharp rebuke from Jesus. As we read each of these passages this week we may have harbored similar thoughts of rebuke that now Mark makes quite plain. However, we have to ask why these men failed to believe.
Recall that during Jesus' ministry these same men argued time and again over which one was greatest in the kingdom. Two of them even had their mother go and ask Jesus for the privileged seats in the kingdom for them! Time and again Jesus tried in many ways to show them that no such ranks exist in God's kingdom, and if there were it was based on service to others. So in appearing to Mary, the women, and two unnamed disciples before them, these men are indignant - how could Jesus appear to these people before us? Aren't we the important ones?
How often do we ourselves have this same line of thinking as these men, whether it be about status in the church or even before God? How often do we think God owes us something when in fact no such debt exists for the deity? The point is that Jesus rose from the dead and this is the great day of rejoicing. It matters not how we came to know it, only that it happened and a new life of freedom and possibility is now ours to share with others.
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