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). Yet 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 us (Mk 16:14),
• encourages us to repent (Mk 1:15, RSV-CE),
• 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 (see Mt 17:21, NAB),
• calls some of His disciples to be martyred (see Mk 8:35),
• sends Mary to wake up unbelievers before it is too late, and
• gives His Body and Blood to us (Lk 22:19-20).

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.

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 2023"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.