Hardness of heart

Greetings on this the Saturday in the Octave of Easter
Title is Hardness of Heart

Formatted for podcast, a current experiment.

The juxtaposition of the first reading and the Gospel message today is very powerful.

In the first reading the Sanhedrin order the disciples to leave the meeting so they can confer together. In their deliberations they recognize that the healing of the beggar and the praise of God by the people are irrefutable events. Moreover, the healing of the beggar and the people praising God are desirable events.

The responsorial psalm gives us the reason. Having witnessed the healing of the beggar, every person present has the same acclamation to make, which is,

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

When the Lord heals one, he heals others in proportion to their worry whether and if the divine cares about me. Yes, he does.

So the Sanhedrin judged wisely. Human power is impotent in the competition with divine power to heal.

They have not yet understood the “Name” and sought to suppress the name. A hardness of heart in degree but not refuting the impact. They have the hardness of the non-disciple.

Disciple Hardness

Things didn’t go as well for the disciples.

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.

The disease of the unbelief of the disciples was more pronounced than the Sanhedrin. They disavowed the event itself! That is, the healing ministry of resurrection in plain sight and they missed it.

Jesus redirects them forthwith:

He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” The good news of forgiveness of sin. The good news of resurrection. The good news of Jesus, the Christ.

Whether it is the event (miracle) or the effect (praise) we are to proclaim it! Sing with the psalmist:

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

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry