The Hardness of Heart: A Reflection on Easter Faith

Greetings on this the Saturday in the Octave of Easter
Readings: Acts 4:13-21; Psalm 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21; Victimae paschali laudes; Mark 16:9-15

Summary

Good news is not always received well. Strange thought isn’t it? Is it because of those who give witness not having credibility or social status? Is it because the story is too magnificent or fanciful? These are subordinate reasons. These are not the core reasons. Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons, was a qualified witness. “The two” were faithful followers of Jesus and reliable during the ministry phase of Jesus’ life.

In our gospel portion today two reasons are given for not believing:

1. Unbelief – refusing to believe God and His word.
2. Hardness of heart – unresponsive to God’s grace and love.

He appeared first to Mary Magdalene… they did not believe.
He appeared in another form to two of them walking along… but they did not believe them either.

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. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.

Reflection

King Herod, the Great, introduced Greek drama and actual theater to Jerusalem 30 years before the appearance of the Christ. Fanciful dramas, epic and brutal battles and the retelling of the Greek tragedy. For a devote Jew, these were horrible displays of power. See https://bibleinterp.arizona.edu/articles/2004/08/pat288001

Perhaps that Greek problem framed the unbelief (can’t believe my eyes!)? The hardness of heart is more problematic. These disciples saw with their own eyes and heard with their own ears the words and works of Jesus. They saw the grace and love yet remained unmoved.

It is the first sin, the lack of trust and not seeing the beauty around you. It is this inversion: God knows well that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, who know good and evil.” (Gen 3:5).

We are called to account for our thinking.

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.

1. We have the sacred Scripture which are the words of the Lord we can trust.
2. We have the examples of grace and love each and every day of the divine care for us.

Both are present. Both can be denied to our detriment.

Personal Reflection

In our gospel portion today, I am forced to confront my own examples of unbelief and hardness of heart. If such a problem did not exist, I would already be in heaven 🙂 In this sense Jesus redirects our attention to three things.

1. Sacred Scripture which is a compendium of God’s promises.
2. The promises kept in signs and wonders, then and now – in your own life.
3. And tell the story of the Good News!

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042525.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry