After Jesus' resurrection, Mary Magdalene "went to announce the good news to His followers" (Mk 16:10). Yet "they refused to believe it" (Mk 16:11). "Later on, as two of them were walking along on their way to the country, He was revealed to them" (Mk 16:12). But when they announced the good news of Jesus' resurrection, the apostles "put no more faith in them than in Mary Magdalene" (Mk 16:13). Jesus, in His mercy, did not want His apostles to miss out another time on His resurrection. So "as they were at table, Jesus was revealed to the Eleven. He took them to task for their disbelief and their stubbornness" (Mk 16:14).

The crucified and risen Jesus does not want us to miss out on His resurrection and eternal life. Therefore, He:

• reprimands (Mk 16:14) and punishes us (2 Pt 2:9),
• encourages us to repent,
• warns us of damnation (Mk 16:16),
• commands us to proclaim to all creation the good news of His resurrection (Mk 16:15),
• calls His disciples to pray constantly, fast for the salvation of the world, and suffer redemptively for the salvation of unbelievers,
• calls some of His disciples to be martyred,
• sends Mary to wake up unbelievers before it is too late, and
• gives His body and blood to us.

Jesus is risen, and He has gone to extremes to help us believe in Him and thereby receive eternal life with Him. May Jesus' saving death, glorious resurrection, and abounding graces not be in vain for any one of us.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 9, 2000

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2000