Gospel of Mark 16, Jesus' Resurrection

Yesterday’s reading really kept me thinking all day about Jesus’ suffering during His passion. The reading hit as it never had. I am sure the disciples felt more or less that way, thinking how much He had suffered and they had not been with Him. And then He died. They probably stayed in the “sad mode” and forgot that He had said that He would arise. I feel a lot of Catholics dwell in the crucifiction and forget about the resurrection. I think we need to remember both. Think of the cross, and how He died for our sins, and think of our sins, repent, work on being more like Him, thank Him and praise Him for suffering so much for us, and then rejoice in His resurrection and in His being alive and with us, so we can hang on to Him and never again let His hand go, even when the boat is rocking under our feet.
That is why I love the Saturday night Easter Mass. The blessing of the water, the ashes and the ointment, the entering into the Church in darkness with just the candles to light our way and then when the lights come on and the music fills the Church with the Gloria!, I think is one of the best rites in our Church. My heart always swells in joy. And through the years, I have stopped going because I was in a dry stage in my life. In fact, I have to confess that I just finished one of those stages. Well, this celebration would explain exactly how the apostles felt.
There is another celebration held in many of the town churches in Puerto Rico. I never saw it in Sna Juan, the capital, but I have heard of lots of towns that celebrate it. The main church of every town, even the cathedral in San Juan, is located in front of the town square, or Plaza. At dawn on Sunday morning (5:00 am) People meet in church. All the men start a procession with an image of Jesus and leave the Church on the right side. All the women leave the church on the left side with an image of Mary dressed in black. They go around the square, men on the right, women on the left, and they meet on the other side of the square on the opposite side of the church. They bow and lower the images three times, The third time, they drop Mary’s black robe and she is dressed in a beautiful light blue dress, and Jesus in white and they come back into the church through the middle of the square. And the church is always full, even after midnight Mass. It is such a beautiful rite and it is so exciting and moving when Mary meets Jesus. I can imagine her feelings and those of the other women that day. Even though Mary is not mentioned by Mathew and Mark, I am sure He appeared to her.
Then Jesus appears to the disciples and tells them to go and spread the Good News and those who believe would be able to do all the things he said. But He had said before to His disciples (Mark Chapter 6 and Mathew 10). I am sure they were terrified when He said that this time. He was with them the first time. But now. . . if they didn’t really believe He had resurrected, would others believe? That is why He had to send His Holy Spirit. Because it would take a lot of strength to spread this Good Neews.
So, yesterday’s reading is about sadness and suffering and repentance. Today’s reading is about hope and joy and faith, so that we can, and we must, spread the Good News.
One more story, sorry for the length of this comment. Two months ago a group of women friends who have worked together in charitable homes, got together to say good bye to one of us who has had cancer in her throat for a few years and it came back after 4 years. Towards the end of the meeting, I worked on myt courage and asked that we pray over her. In my mind I struggled between praying for her complete healing so that the operation would take place or praying for God to be with her doctors so they, led by Him, would be able to clean her. I was so scared to pray for healing and that it wouldn’t happen, that I prayed for the second thing. That He was with the doctors. After the operation, the friend that was keeping in touch with her, called me to say that God had heard our prayer. That the doctors found the cancer in a capsule, not spread out and that they were able to clean her, and the recuperation would be faster and shorter. I felt sooooooooo bad, I said to her we should have prayed for healing then. I felt exactly like the apostles must have felt in that first meeting with Jesus resurrected. I did not have enough faith and I didn’t pray for healing. We got exactly what we prayed for. And my poor friend had to go through the operation. Adn I was also rebuked by the Lord. So we also need the Holy Spirit to guide us and gives us the Power of God and the Courage of God and the Faith we owe Him. I am telling you, I am coming back from one of my desert stages, a lot of difficult things are happening in my life just when I am coming back from the desert, but the Power of the Lord is really powerful and it does move mountains. So I thank God for todays reading, because it confirms Jesus’ love and patience with us and gives us hope. Not only will He forgive our lack of faith, He will give us His power. Praise the Lord!

WOW WOW WOW!!! I love this!!! I love the procession — I’m going to keep that in mind!!! Another great applications of the Gospel in your life! I am sure we can all relate!!! What a great way to end the Gospel according to Mark— and we get to start new in Luke tomorrow!!! I keep thinking about that meeting with Jesus—- I agree we tend to be consumed with our own suffering and grief sometimes that we miss the glory in suffering!!! Jesus is right there in our suffering with the resurrection!!! But at the same time… some Catholics never think of the cross — so this is why the church as a good mother provides this time of LENT to go deep into the cross — because she knows that we can never stay there too long in meditation the rest of the year — but if we live Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday each week we will have a good balance of the life, death and resurrection each week!!! God is good! Great share!

Yesterday's reading really kept me thinking all day about Jesus' suffering during His passion. The reading hit as it never had. I am sure the disciples felt more or less that way, thinking how much He had suffered and they had not been with Him. And then He died. They probably stayed in the “sad mode” and forgot that He had said that He would arise. I feel a lot of Catholics dwell in the crucifiction and forget about the resurrection. I think we need to remember both. Think of the cross, and how He died for our sins, and think of our sins, repent, work on being more like Him, thank Him and praise Him for suffering so much for us, and then rejoice in His resurrection and in His being alive and with us, so we can hang on to Him and never again let His hand go, even when the boat is rocking under our feet.
That is why I love the Saturday night Easter Mass. The blessing of the water, the ashes and the ointment, the entering into the Church in darkness with just the candles to light our way and then when the lights come on and the music fills the Church with the Gloria!, I think is one of the best rites in our Church. My heart always swells in joy. And through the years, I have stopped going because I was in a dry stage in my life. In fact, I have to confess that I just finished one of those stages. Well, this celebration would explain exactly how the apostles felt.
There is another celebration held in many of the town churches in Puerto Rico. I never saw it in Sna Juan, the capital, but I have heard of lots of towns that celebrate it. The main church of every town, even the cathedral in San Juan, is located in front of the town square, or Plaza. At dawn on Sunday morning (5:00 am) People meet in church. All the men start a procession with an image of Jesus and leave the Church on the right side. All the women leave the church on the left side with an image of Mary dressed in black. They go around the square, men on the right, women on the left, and they meet on the other side of the square on the opposite side of the church. They bow and lower the images three times, The third time, they drop Mary's black robe and she is dressed in a beautiful light blue dress, and Jesus in white and they come back into the church through the middle of the square. And the church is always full, even after midnight Mass. It is such a beautiful rite and it is so exciting and moving when Mary meets Jesus. I can imagine her feelings and those of the other women that day. Even though Mary is not mentioned by Mathew and Mark, I am sure He appeared to her.
Then Jesus appears to the disciples and tells them to go and spread the Good News and those who believe would be able to do all the things he said. But He had said before to His disciples (Mark Chapter 6 and Mathew 10). I am sure they were terrified when He said that this time. He was with them the first time. But now. . . if they didn't really believe He had resurrected, would others believe? That is why He had to send His Holy Spirit. Because it would take a lot of strength to spread this Good Neews.
So, yesterday's reading is about sadness and suffering and repentance. Today's reading is about hope and joy and faith, so that we can, and we must, spread the Good News.
One more story, sorry for the length of this comment. Two months ago a group of women friends who have worked together in charitable homes, got together to say good bye to one of us who has had cancer in her throat for a few years and it came back after 4 years. Towards the end of the meeting, I worked on myt courage and asked that we pray over her. In my mind I struggled between praying for her complete healing so that the operation would take place or praying for God to be with her doctors so they, led by Him, would be able to clean her. I was so scared to pray for healing and that it wouldn't happen, that I prayed for the second thing. That He was with the doctors. After the operation, the friend that was keeping in touch with her, called me to say that God had heard our prayer. That the doctors found the cancer in a capsule, not spread out and that they were able to clean her, and the recuperation would be faster and shorter. I felt sooooooooo bad, I said to her we should have prayed for healing then. I felt exactly like the apostles must have felt in that first meeting with Jesus resurrected. I did not have enough faith and I didn't pray for healing. We got exactly what we prayed for. And my poor friend had to go through the operation. Adn I was also rebuked by the Lord. So we also need the Holy Spirit to guide us and gives us the Power of God and the Courage of God and the Faith we owe Him. I am telling you, I am coming back from one of my desert stages, a lot of difficult things are happening in my life just when I am coming back from the desert, but the Power of the Lord is really powerful and it does move mountains. So I thank God for todays reading, because it confirms Jesus' love and patience with us and gives us hope. Not only will He forgive our lack of faith, He will give us His power. Praise the Lord!

two things amaze me.

because the apostles “did not get it” they must have felt such tremendous sorrow. being with Jesus 3 years – you had to fall in love with him – and to see him die and be buried. and when they are told he resurrected they must have felt, first such happiness. then they must have felt embarrassed, afraid of having abandoned him and how he must have felt about them (judging the way we would feel – how hard we find to forgive – at least i do)

if Father Kennedy is reading today, he will probably feel very happy that he changed parishes. marie would have him making that procession at 5am which he probably saw when he was in p.r.

what a beautiful custom.

WOW WOW WOW!!! I love this!!! I love the procession — I'm going to keep that in mind!!! Another great applications of the Gospel in your life! I am sure we can all relate!!! What a great way to end the Gospel according to Mark— and we get to start new in Luke tomorrow!!! I keep thinking about that meeting with Jesus—- I agree we tend to be consumed with our own suffering and grief sometimes that we miss the glory in suffering!!! Jesus is right there in our suffering with the resurrection!!! But at the same time… some Catholics never think of the cross — so this is why the church as a good mother provides this time of LENT to go deep into the cross — because she knows that we can never stay there too long in meditation the rest of the year — but if we live Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday each week we will have a good balance of the life, death and resurrection each week!!! God is good! Great share!

The Apostles remind me of me, HE does so much for me, loves me so much, shows me the way and sometimes I still have a hard time.
In response to your question: I see God’s Hand in so much of my life; it is just awesome when I let go.
Jesus allows me to see and experience HIM in so many ways in my life and sometimes I am deaf and blind to it. At times I am spiritually blind, I like the way you put that. But I am so grateful that HE has made it possible that I can see my blindness, yes most times after the fact, but to see it and realize the Hand of Jesus is in my life, all I can say is Wow and praise Jesus and keep on truckin.

I have seen all through both Gospels Jesus’s straight eye on His mission, you mentioned it here too that after all the unbelieving HE rebukes then keeps on HIS mission.

Sacrament of the sick; I am having surgery next month and just yesterday I decided I would go to the Rectory and request one of the priests to give me the Sacrament. What you wrote is a confirmation! Thank you Marie

In response to Cuqui
What a beautiful thing, the procession you speak of in Puerto Rico. I have not been in or seen a procession as this in many years, since I was little. Acutally I did participate at a small procession at St. Ignatius a few years back. But it seems in Europe and south and Central America there is more processions and more devotions than here in the U.S. When I was in Guatemala in January I saw several processions, not on a special holiday, but just on an ordinary day. How beautiful! thank you for that share

I love this insight — as I was reading it I could feel that shame that you described — having to face him after abandoning Him — great share to bring that up! This is why feeling abandoned really brings you so close to Christ — and helping others to not feel abandoned is so important to HIM — because it is like being there with Him –when you help someone who is alone –
AND you are so right — I am visualizing this devotion of early Easter morning with the procession — I definitely want to do this and if Fr Kennedy was here — I’d be getting the images ready — someday I definitely want to do that at a parish! Why do the hispanics — especially the Puerto Ricans have all the good devotions — because they are passionate!!!

Wow cool! I love confirmations!! So glad that you will be blessed by the sacrament! Jesus does love you and we have to just turn around and keep transforming! Praise God!

I had to laugh at Marion’s comment and not being in a position now to be involved in a 5:00 AM procession fired by Marie.Actually I was never in PR during Holy Week but experienced something similar in Tapipa, Venezuela where the Good Friday night procession included the station where Mary meets his sorrowful mother.The event called the “encuentro” involves the men holding the statue of the Virgen, actually bowing and dipping the statue tied to a platform, toward Jesus as he passes. The procession actually ends at the cemetery where the statue remains til Easter Sunday for the return procession to church.
As people move to the continental US these traditions are lost, because the American culture is not into it, but some people who never experienced these devotions have a hunger to see them and are instrumental in getting such obseravances together.
I like Marie’s observation on “obstacles”. It reminded me that at times, it is only we resign oursleves to not having something, that it happens. Something that I had been pushing for over a number of months, finally happened, but only after I decided,”I did all I can do”. I will let it rest. I am sure it is not an apt application of the gospel, but it seems that only after you resign yourself that you are not getting what you want that God says, OK you can have it. Couples who do all they can to have a child, without success, and finally decide to adopt, allof a sudden become pregnant. It could have something to do with”not my will but your will be done”.
Also intrigued by the “dinner out fights” and”holiday fights”. Things like that did not occur in my family, and do not. Perhaps today’s culture which is very coarse and even violent, contributes to this. and a lack of respect.
In the past there were definite boundaries you did not cross, no matter how much you disagreed.
Now people feel free to cross those boundaries (which they do not see) at any time, at any place.
Anyway, I find the last words, “Signs…expel demons..sick will recover..” to be challenges for us.
If we are followers, how are we doing on expelling demons (7 deadly sins) and healing others.
This blog is certainly working in that direction.

two things amaze me.

because the apostles “did not get it” they must have felt such tremendous sorrow. being with Jesus 3 years – you had to fall in love with him – and to see him die and be buried. and when they are told he resurrected they must have felt, first such happiness. then they must have felt embarrassed, afraid of having abandoned him and how he must have felt about them (judging the way we would feel – how hard we find to forgive – at least i do)

if Father Kennedy is reading today, he will probably feel very happy that he changed parishes. marie would have him making that procession at 5am which he probably saw when he was in p.r.

what a beautiful custom.

The Apostles remind me of me, HE does so much for me, loves me so much, shows me the way and sometimes I still have a hard time.
In response to your question: I see God's Hand in so much of my life; it is just awesome when I let go.
Jesus allows me to see and experience HIM in so many ways in my life and sometimes I am deaf and blind to it. At times I am spiritually blind, I like the way you put that. But I am so grateful that HE has made it possible that I can see my blindness, yes most times after the fact, but to see it and realize the Hand of Jesus is in my life, all I can say is Wow and praise Jesus and keep on truckin.

I have seen all through both Gospels Jesus's straight eye on His mission, you mentioned it here too that after all the unbelieving HE rebukes then keeps on HIS mission.

Sacrament of the sick; I am having surgery next month and just yesterday I decided I would go to the Rectory and request one of the priests to give me the Sacrament. What you wrote is a confirmation! Thank you Marie

In response to Cuqui
What a beautiful thing, the procession you speak of in Puerto Rico. I have not been in or seen a procession as this in many years, since I was little. Acutally I did participate at a small procession at St. Ignatius a few years back. But it seems in Europe and south and Central America there is more processions and more devotions than here in the U.S. When I was in Guatemala in January I saw several processions, not on a special holiday, but just on an ordinary day. How beautiful! thank you for that share

Yes you definitely had a blessed childhood with no fighting amongst siblings — you are invited to experience my household in those precious moments — although they are must less frequent with the kids growing up! You are escaping many new devotions I am thinking of — although some blessed parish will be the recipient soon enough!!! I like the mention that the demons today are the 7 deadly sins — great reminder!!! Thanks so much!!! Thanks for being here!!!

I love this insight — as I was reading it I could feel that shame that you described — having to face him after abandoning Him — great share to bring that up! This is why feeling abandoned really brings you so close to Christ — and helping others to not feel abandoned is so important to HIM — because it is like being there with Him –when you help someone who is alone –
AND you are so right — I am visualizing this devotion of early Easter morning with the procession — I definitely want to do this and if Fr Kennedy was here — I'd be getting the images ready — someday I definitely want to do that at a parish! Why do the hispanics — especially the Puerto Ricans have all the good devotions — because they are passionate!!!

Wow cool! I love confirmations!! So glad that you will be blessed by the sacrament! Jesus does love you and we have to just turn around and keep transforming! Praise God!

I had to laugh at Marion's comment and not being in a position now to be involved in a 5:00 AM procession fired by Marie.Actually I was never in PR during Holy Week but experienced something similar in Tapipa, Venezuela where the Good Friday night procession included the station where Mary meets his sorrowful mother.The event called the “encuentro” involves the men holding the statue of the Virgen, actually bowing and dipping the statue tied to a platform, toward Jesus as he passes. The procession actually ends at the cemetery where the statue remains til Easter Sunday for the return procession to church.
As people move to the continental US these traditions are lost, because the American culture is not into it, but some people who never experienced these devotions have a hunger to see them and are instrumental in getting such obseravances together.
I like Marie's observation on “obstacles”. It reminded me that at times, it is only we resign oursleves to not having something, that it happens. Something that I had been pushing for over a number of months, finally happened, but only after I decided,”I did all I can do”. I will let it rest. I am sure it is not an apt application of the gospel, but it seems that only after you resign yourself that you are not getting what you want that God says, OK you can have it. Couples who do all they can to have a child, without success, and finally decide to adopt, allof a sudden become pregnant. It could have something to do with”not my will but your will be done”.
Also intrigued by the “dinner out fights” and”holiday fights”. Things like that did not occur in my family, and do not. Perhaps today's culture which is very coarse and even violent, contributes to this. and a lack of respect.
In the past there were definite boundaries you did not cross, no matter how much you disagreed.
Now people feel free to cross those boundaries (which they do not see) at any time, at any place.
Anyway, I find the last words, “Signs…expel demons..sick will recover..” to be challenges for us.
If we are followers, how are we doing on expelling demons (7 deadly sins) and healing others.
This blog is certainly working in that direction.

Yes you definitely had a blessed childhood with no fighting amongst siblings — you are invited to experience my household in those precious moments — although they are must less frequent with the kids growing up! You are escaping many new devotions I am thinking of — although some blessed parish will be the recipient soon enough!!! I like the mention that the demons today are the 7 deadly sins — great reminder!!! Thanks so much!!! Thanks for being here!!!