The call to discipleship

Acts 4:13-21; Psalm: 117; Mk 16:9-15

Today’s Gospel, which is read on the Saturday Octave of Easter, is a powerful reflection on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the call to discipleship that comes with it. This passage recounts the first appearances of Jesus to his disciples after his resurrection and highlights the disbelief and skepticism that initially greeted these encounters.

In the passage, Mary Magdalene reports to the disciples that she has seen the risen Jesus, but they do not believe her. Jesus then appears to two disciples walking in the countryside, but even they do not recognize him at first. Finally, Jesus appears to the eleven disciples as they are eating together, and rebukes them for their unbelief and hardness of heart.

This passage serves as a reminder that even the closest followers of Jesus struggled to believe in his resurrection. It highlights the human tendency towards doubt and skepticism, even when faced with overwhelming evidence of God’s power and presence. It also underscores the importance of faith and trust in God’s promises, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

In his appearance to the disciples, Jesus commissions them to go out into the world and preach the gospel to all creation. This call to discipleship is a central theme in the Christian faith, and it is reiterated throughout the Gospels. The disciples are not only called to believe in the resurrection themselves, but to proclaim this good news to others and invite them into a relationship with God.

This passage challenges us as modern-day disciples to reflect on our own response to the resurrection of Jesus. Do we doubt and question like the disciples, or do we profess our faith with confidence and zeal? Are we willing to follow Jesus’ command to share the gospel with others, even in the face of opposition and skepticism?

As we celebrate the Easter season and reflect on the resurrection of Jesus, let us be reminded of the call to discipleship that comes with this profound event. Let us be inspired by the courage and faith of Mary Magdalene and the other disciples, who were willing to bear witness to the truth of the resurrection even in the face of disbelief and persecution.

May we be open to the presence of the risen Christ in our own lives, and may we be bold in sharing this good news with others. Let us take up the challenge of Jesus’ commission to go out into the world and preach the gospel to all creation, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us in this mission.

In conclusion, the passage from today’s Gospel is a powerful reflection on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the call to discipleship that comes with it. It challenges us to examine our own response to this central event in the Christian faith and to consider how we can proclaim the good news of the gospel to others in our own lives. May we be inspired by the example of the first disciples, who were willing to lay down their lives for the sake of the gospel, and may we follow in their footsteps as we seek to live out our faith in the world today.