Savoring Easter - Jesus Commissions the Disciples

In Mark’s gospel, after he commissions the disciples, Jesus ascends into heaven, and we are told, “They went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs” (Mark 16: 19-20). We celebrated the Ascension of the Lord this Sunday.

But preceding the Ascension, in Mark 16: 14-18, Jesus meets with the apostles and “rebukes them for their unbelief and hardness of heart” because they didn’t believe the women or other disciples who saw Jesus and reported that he had been raised from the dead. After his rebuke, he then tells them all the wonders they will do in his name.

We’ve heard the story so many times, we become numb to the details. We forget that this was a group of disciples who ran in fear after the capture and torture of their rabbi and teacher, who heard the details of his agonizing death, and who then hid wondering what to do next, perhaps pondering their own fate. It’s true, Jesus did warn them what was going to unfold, that he would suffer and die, but he also told them he would rise again. I wonder what that meant to them. They saw Jesus heal and raise the little girl that was reported dead (Mark 5: 21-43), and they saw Lazarus walk out of his tomb (John 11: 38-44), so Jesus gave them a taste of what “being raised from the dead” meant. It certainly wasn’t an everyday occurrence. I wonder whether I would have doubted hearing of his Resurrection, too.

We have the benefit of history, the written accounts of the Resurrection, the early church, and the miracles the disciples performed in the name of Jesus. Yet, aren’t we just as skeptical as the disciples at times? Don’t we doubt that Jesus walks with us through every storm and tribulation in life? Perhaps we even question whether those signs that we ask for, confirming the word and promises of Jesus, are really signs letting us know we are on the right track.

Through the years we have the teachings of countless faithful followers who give us examples of ways that they listened to the call of Jesus in their lives and then proceeded to share that message with the world. Being followers of this blog, you are aware of, and I presume share a fondness, for the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola. We have learned of the value of looking within and becoming attuned to the feelings of consolation and desolation, those concepts discerned from Ignatius’ own inner conflict of deciding to live a life for God or return to a life of vainglory and service to an earthly king. We have learned a way to listen to a God who speaks to each of us personally, by inserting ourselves in the scriptures by using imaginative prayer.

I easily recall praying with scripture given to me during an Online Busy Person’s Retreat, at the beginning of Covid, not quite two years before I was on the team of Ignatian Ministries. In my doubt about using my talents and skills in my corporate position, I was invited to step away with Jesus and listen to what he had to say to me. No, he didn’t unfold the years ahead for me and tell me exactly what was going to happen. Like the disciples, I may have doubted what I heard. But I did “hear” that in taking time to step away and pray, by listening in discernment, if I believed and had faith, there would be accompanying signs. Those signs that have directed my path and hopefully continue to guide me in proclaiming that good news to others.

• Can you think of a time during an imaginative prayer experience that Jesus came to you with an insight or provided some direction or clarity in making a decision?
• If not, imagine being with the disciples in this scene in Mark’s gospel. Imagine Jesus telling you what you are capable of doing if you believe in him. How does he invite you to help share his message of love and mercy to those around you?
• How might we hear the words Jesus says to the disciples and hear them said to us, sending us forth to be a light to those we encounter?

Going Deeper Together:

• Read Mark 16: 14-20 and reflect on the words of Jesus to the apostles and to you.
• Consider taking the self-paced online retreat, Overwhelmed No More (or revisiting it if you have taken this course. All self-paced courses remain in your Teachable library.) and learn how to center your life around God using daily prayer to gain clarity regarding God’s call in your life. We will be releasing an updated version of this retreat in June! Fill out an interest form if you would like to be informed when it is available on the website. For those who have the current version, we will let you know when we have moved you to the new version!
• Download the free prayer resource, The Four Steps of Discernment, on Ignatian Ministries website in the Prayer Resources section.
• Learn more about Consolation and Desolation by reading the following articles:
  • Consolation and Desolation by Vinita Hampton Wright
  • Discernment: Consolation and Desolation excerpts from Inner Compass by Margaret Silf on Loyola Press

We are so glad that you like Into the Deep! This blog is offered at no charge as a way that Ignatian Ministries lives its mission to accompany those who are called to a deeper faith. Through Ignatian retreats, resources, community, and more we help you hear God’s voice, embrace the companionship of Christ, and live your unique mission in the world.

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Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Deena Pavinato

Deena is the Director of Programming for Ignatian Ministries. She lives in Oglesby, Illinois among the corn fields of North Central Illinois. She has a Masters Degree in Counseling Education and over 30 years of corporate work experience in customer support leadership, project implementation and process improvement. Deena is a Benedictine Oblate, loves the practice of Ora et Labora (prayer and work), and relaxes and expresses her creativity through her weekly blog, papercrafting and mixed media projects, journaling and gardening.