Reflection on Today's Readings, Saturday of Easter Octave, Year B, April 10th, 2021
Texts: Acts 4:13-21; Ps. 118:1.14-21; Mark 16:9-5
Before resurrection, the disciples of Jesus Christ did not think of Him as God. It was the event of resurrection that made them to know that He is God. This is evident in the words of St. Paul: "This is the gospel concerning his Son who, in terms of human nature was born a descendant of David and who, in terms of the Spirit and holiness, was designated Son of God in power by resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ, our Lord" (Rom. 1:3). Hence, they could not believe the news of His resurrection. For them, death had put an end to His life, just as it does to every other human being. However, in today's gospel, Jesus Christ was disappointed in His disciples for not believing in the news of His resurrection. It is said, "Afterwards he appeared to the Eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen." On what grounds must they believe the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ had lived with them and He had revealed to them by words and deeds His Godhead. He told them beforehand several times that He would suffer, die and rise on the third day (Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-34; Mtt. 20:17-19). He had also raised the dead to prove that He had power over death and life (Mark 5:35-42; Luke 7:11-17; John 11:38-44). At transfiguration He revealed His glory as God to Peter, John and James and also told them about resurrection (Mark 9:2-9; Mtt. 17:1-9). In spite of all these, they could not see Him as God and believe the news of His resurrection. Hence, Jesus Christ reprimanded them for their hardness of heart and unbelief.
The disciples of Jesus Christ did not comprehend from the words and deeds of Jesus Christ that He was God because it is not within the categories of their minds, that is, it is not within what their minds can process. Their minds rather processed the words and deeds of Jesus Christ differently to make them understood Him as man who enjoyed God's favour and a Messiah. This tells us that our understanding of God depends on the categories of our minds, how extended our minds are. The more extended our minds are, the more of God's revelation and light we receive. Each of us understands God to the extent our minds are extended. Our minds can be extended by reading and meditating on the words of God. Contemplation is a deeper way of extending one's mind. Most importantly, it is by God's grace. It is evident in the lives of Peter, John and James in today's first reading. Peter and John could comprehend what was beyond the understanding of the scribes, chief priests, pharisees, and elders. Hence, it is said, "When the rulers and elders and scribes saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they wondered".
Many a time our case is like that of the disciples of Jesus Christ; we also disappoint Him. Many a time we bow before some challenges of life and behave as if we have never encountered or experienced Jesus Christ in our lives. We are to be like Peter and John, in today's first reading, who spoke boldly about Jesus Christ, in spite of threats to their lives. When they were told not to speak in the name of Jesus Christ, they said, "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.” Any challenge of life should not make us disappoint Jesus Christ.
Lord our God, pour out on us your grace, that we may grow in understanding of You and not disappoint You. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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