(I intended this to be my homily at the beginning of Lent. This did not happen, for obvious reasons. I offer the outline of that homily now.)
The Gospel according to Mark is the oldest, and used as reference by both Matthew and Luke. Mark’s Gospel story is the story of Jesus seeking to enlighten his followers about his identity and the destiny that is his. No one understands. The only character in the Gospel who witnesses to Jesus’ divinity is the Centurion at the foot of the cross: “Truly, this man was the Son of God.”
The oldest form of Mark’s Gospel ends in Chapter 16:1- 8. Later on, a second epilogue for the Gospel was created.
Mark’s Gospel ends with all fleeing and hiding; they see nothing but loss and destruction.
On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalena and Mary the mother of James and Salome come to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body. They are told by an angelic figure:
‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’
Mark then tells us:
8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mark ends his Gospel with a cliffhanger. The women run away, terrified and they “Say nothing to anyone.” The reader is meant to finish the story.
Jesus bid disciples to come to Galilee, to where it all started; he calls them to begin again; he invites them to follow him.
The second epilogue, like the first, ends with a challenge in the form of an unresolved question. “Will we flee or will we follow?” This question cannot be resolved except in the life of the disciple. Whether or not they actually “see” Jesus again depends on whether or not the disciples renew commitment to the journey. It is at this point that we recall the mysterious words of 9:10:
“But they held fast to his word, but discussed among themselves ‘What is the meaning of resurrection from the dead?’ ”
We find ourselves in the same position. We do not entirely understand what “resurrection” means, but if we have understood the story, we should be “holding fast” to what we do know; that Jesus still goes before us, calling us to the way of the cross.
And that is the hardest ending of all; not tragedy, not victory, but an unending challenge to follow anew.
(I am indebted to the writings of Ched Myers who opened my eyes to this dimension of Mark’s Gospel.)
Father Steve Adrian
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