Forgive And Don't Forget

Apr 15: Saturday in the Octave of Easter

Apr 15, 2023

Today’s Gospel reading comes from the special, extended edition of Mark.

Some manuscripts end after finding the empty tomb with a very terse verse1—

And they reported all the instructions briefly to Peter’s companions. Afterwards Jesus himself, through them, sent forth from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. Amen.

Remember, there was no copyright office to file these things, so books sometimes got copied incorrectly or incompletely. It’s possible the above wasn’t Mark’s original, intended ending, which could have gotten lost somewhere along the line.

We know St. Jerome, who translated the Bible into Latin for the first time, was aware of the short ending because he quoted it, but it’s not the one he included in his translation.

The Council of Trent officially declared it canon over 1,000 years later.2 The so-called “Longer Ending” fits better with the other Gospels’ description of Jesus’ post-resurrection activities, even if it was written at a later date than most of Mark.

Reading 1

Acts 4:13-21

Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them, they could say nothing in reply.

So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, and conferred with one another, saying, "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. 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."

So they called them back and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 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. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard."

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.

You almost feel bad for the Sanhedrin. What are they going to do, jail Peter and John? For what, miraculously curing somebody?

So, they just tell these uneducated rubes to just shut up about it, but Peter and John are all—

Now, the Apostles couldn’t be sure that the Sanhedrin would just let them go with a warning. Just last week, the high priests (had) executed their rabbi; they could’ve (asked Pilate to) execute them, as well.

Eventually, that would happen to all the Apostles, other than John. For now, though—

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Ps 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21

R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
"The right hand of the LORD is exalted;
the right hand of the LORD has struck with power."
I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.
Though the LORD has indeed chastised me,
yet he has not delivered me to death.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

You can imagine John and Peter singing this Psalm after the past week’s readings from Acts. The Apostles were chastised by Jesus (cf. today’s Gospel), but as always, that’s not the end.

Jesus forgives, and wants us to do better.

Alleluia

Ps 118:24

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Also, rejoice that we get a different Alleluia Chorus3 tomorrow.

Gospel

Mk 16:9-15

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.

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

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. He said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature."

Jesus rebukes the Apostles, as He’s wont to do. But He also forgives them, which He seems to have to do a lot. Sound familiar?4

After forgiving them, He gives them a mission. You know, the one we read about in Acts just a few minutes ago.5

He sends us on the same mission. Accepting Jesus is the Christ and believing in the Resurrection are just the starting point. We have to live the Gospel as best we can and proclaim it everywhere we can. In most cases, you can do both at the same time.