By Father Paul Nord, O.S.B.
Sunday Scripture
First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11; Response: Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23; Gospel: Mark 16:15-20
Note: the Second Reading has another option that may be chosen – Ephesians 4:1-13 (or 4:1-7, 11-13).
Luke’s Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles are recognized as part 1 and part 2, respectively, of a two-part work. Our first reading is the opening verses of the Acts of the Apostles. As such, these verses form a transition from the events of Luke’s gospel: “In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up.” It’s possible that “Theophilus” refers to a specific person, or “Theophilus” could be understood more literally: “beloved of God.” In the second case, Acts of the Apostles would be addressed to friends of God. Luke’s Gospel is likewise addressed to “Theophilus” – see Luke 1:3.
These transition verses end with “but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Thus these verses recall Jesus’ teaching, his suffering and death, his resurrection, his “appearing to them during forty days,” his ascension, and his command that they should remain in Jerusalem until they are “baptized with the Holy Spirit.” This promise will be realized in Acts 2:1-13 during the Jewish feast of Pentecost – in which the Holy Spirit is poured out upon Jesus’ followers.
Continuing with our reading: “When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus’ followers anticipate the arrival of the “kingdom of God” – about which Jesus had taught frequently, and which the Messiah was expected to bring into being.
In Jesus’ response to their question, he does not promise them the immediate arrival of the kingdom of God. Instead Jesus promises them that they would soon receive the Holy Spirit, which will enable them to “be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Thus they are being invited to participate in Jesus’ mission. Jesus’ words here are consistent with the letter to the Ephesians (1:13-14) which says: “In [Christ] you... were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God's possession.” Thus in these verses of Acts (1:6-8), Jesus’ tells his followers that they will receive the Holy Spirit first – and only later will the kingdom of God come in its fullness.
After this, Jesus “was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight” – this is Jesus’ “Ascension.” “Two men dressed in white garments” speak to Jesus’ disciples. These are angels of God, who promise that Jesus will return “in the same way” as he had departed.
Next is the letter to the Ephesians (1:17-23). This is a prayer that the Ephesians may receive “a Spirit of wisdom and revelation.” That is, may the Ephesians know “the hope” that comes from God, and may they know “the surpassing greatness of [God’s] power for us who believe.” This power is explained by describing how God the Father raised Christ from the dead, “seating him at his right hand in the heavens.” The following verses add detail. This all describes the “wisdom and revelation” that God has given us through Jesus Christ by the gift of the Spirit.
This prayer asks that the Ephesians might know “what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.” Believers in Christ are often described as “the holy ones” in Pauline letters. “Inheritance” invokes the understanding that believers in Christ have become “son and daughters of God” – and therefore inheritors of God’s kingdom.
Our Gospel is the final verses of the “longer ending” to Mark’s Gospel. It is widely accepted that Mark 16:1-8 formed the original (“shorter”) ending to the Gospel of Mark. But the additional verses (16:9-20) were added quite soon by the early Christian community. The original ending finished rather abruptly after Jesus’ empty tomb is discovered by “Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome” (16:1) – who flee in “trembling and astonishment” (16:8) after an angelic figure tells them Jesus “has risen” (16:6).
Fortunately the early Christian community chose to tell us more. To Mark’s Gospel was added this account of Jesus’ appearance to his disciples – today’s Gospel reading. Jesus commands his disciples to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature” (16:15). They are being incorporated in Jesus’ mission. They are commanded to baptize those who believe the gospel. Jesus speaks of five signs that “will accompany those who believe.” The power to drive out demons shows that Jesus’ power over sin and evil is now being granted to his followers. Speaking new languages is a divine gift beyond normal human power – so as to proclaim the Gospel to every people of the earth. The next two signs are more controversial. These words have occasionally led a few terribly misguided Christians to act foolishly with serpents and deadly poisons. May we not put the Lord to the test in these matters. But the final promised sign is quite encouraging: “They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” The early chapters of Mark’s gospel are marked by Jesus healing numerous sick people as word spread quickly of his healings. Many of the sick came by their own power, and others were brought by the family and friends who loved them. May we continue Jesus’ healing mission, by whatever means that God may grant us.
After Jesus spoke these words, he ascended into heaven “and took his seat at the right hand of God.” Thus today’s readings contain two accounts of Jesus’ ascension – from the first reading and from the Gospel. Jesus’ disciples are faithful to his previous command that they “proclaim the gospel” (Mark 16:15) – as these words profess: “They went forth and preached everywhere” (16:20). May we do likewise. If we do, we can be confident that the Lord will be with us – just as “the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs” (16:20).