They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either. – Mark 16:13

Once, a friend and I were talking about how quickly technology has developed. Things that used to be the stuff of science fiction movies are ordinary things to us today.

       Just take the example of using Skype or Facetime where you see the person you’re speaking to on your smart phone. Weren’t those things we saw only in cartoons just a few short years ago? I remember Mommy telling me that when she was young, going to the moon was make-believe, something they read about in the comics, Buck Rogers. I thought that, maybe, flying to the moon was as impossible for them as time traveling is to us today.

       Yes, things that were impossible in yesteryears are not just possible but ordinary in our times. So will we still doubt Jesus when He says, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God”?

       Friend, I’ve learned one thing in my walk of faith. If my faith can see it, then God can engineer it to reality. After all, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen” (Hebrews 11:1). Rissa Singson-Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)

Reflection: What you are hoping for is the stuff of fiction until you put your faith behind it to make it a fact.

Lord, increase my faith!

St. Pedro de San Jose Betancur, pray for us.

The Jewish authorities are worried about the miracles of Peter and John because they threaten their authority among the people. If Peter and John can work miracles like this, the people will not take long in following the rest of the creed of the Gospel. This is narrow-mindedness but it is too often the way that “old” leaders think. We need to be open to the new things that the Holy Spirit always wants to do in our midst. Let us never be threatened by the graces God gives to others; let us always rejoice in them.

13 Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders and scribes were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. 14 Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them, they could say nothing in reply. 15 So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, and conferred with one another, saying, 16 “What are we to do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign was done through them, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it may not be spread any further among the people, let us give them a stern warning never again to speak to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them back and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 Peter and John, however, said to them in reply, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. 20 It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After threatening them further, they released them, finding no way to punish them, on account of the people who were all praising God for what had happened.

R: I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. 14 My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. 15 The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just. (R) 16 “The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord has struck with power.” 17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. 18 Though the Lord has indeed chastised me, yet he has not delivered me to death. (R)19 Open to me the gates of justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord; the just shall enter it. 21 I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior. (R)

We will probably doubt our faith at one time or another. Let us pray that they will never be serious doubts. We struggle to accept aspects of our lives, particularly when it comes to suffering. However, this is often where God’s Spirit is at His most powerful. Let us pray for the faith to trust in the goodness

of God, no matter what our experience may be at the time.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.

9 When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. 12 After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. 13 They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either. 14 But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. 15 He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Numbers 19-21

THE VALUE OF UNBELIEF

We are about to end the Easter Octave, our one-week, eight-day celebration of the resurrection appearances of Jesus. We surveyed these stories of sightings of Jesus risen and alive, as written in the various Gospel accounts. Now we read from the longer ending to the Gospel of Mark. Although Bible scholars agree that these verses did not come from the original writer of the oldest Gospel, and that these verses could have been the work of a writer from the second century, the Church during the Council of Trent declared these verses as part of the inspired work. In content, these verses render a summary of resurrection stories we read elsewhere, with greater detail in Luke 24 and John 20.

       After all the Gospel stories about Jesus showing Himself as definitely resurrected, the reading today tells us of the unbelief and hardness of heart of many of the disciples. Jesus rebuked this attitude of His followers, but He also ended up commissioning them to go and preach His Good News to all.

       On one hand, the highlighted unbeliefs of the disciples served a purpose. With this we are sure that the story of Jesus’ rising from the dead could not have been an invention and concoction of the first Christians. On the other hand, the early Christians had to be convinced with great proofs and with strong prodding from Jesus Himself.

       A few years back, I came to know a “blue mason.” I believe that is how neophyte masons are referred to. Though in that state, he was also actively serving in his parish. He came to me with many questions. He also expressed to me his doubts about various things, religious and spiritual. I listened. I tried to provide him with answers as best as I could. Above all, since he was active in Church, I told him to bring all his questions to prayer, and to ask for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Now, having gone through it, he is more convinced of his faith in God and in the Church. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What doubts and questions do you have about your faith? What brought about these doubts and questions? Remember in your prayers today the intention of Christians going through their own moments of questioning.

When I am in doubt, fill me with Your wisdom, Holy Spirit.