April 6 2024: Bible Verse of the Day – Saturday in the Octave of Easter – Jesus Rebukes Apostles For Their Unbelief and Hardness of Heart – Mark 16:9-15
12 After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country.
13 They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either.
14 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. – Mark 16:9-15
Catholic Readings for Today
Saturday in the Octave of Easter
Bible Verse of the Day Reflections
What caused the Apostles to doubt the resurrection of Jesus despite witnessing numerous miraculous acts performed by him, living with him for three years, and listening to his preaching and teachings delivered with impeccable authority and grace?
Even though Jesus had risen from the dead, the Apostles initially didn’t believe and their hearts were hardened. Jesus had to physically appear to them to offer evidence that he had indeed risen, which they could see with their own eyes.
The Apostles’ struggle with disbelief is a common one that many people face, which is a hardness of heart.
Despite their desire to believe in the Resurrection, they couldn’t fully embrace it with genuine faith until they had some tangible evidence.
However, what they didn’t realize was that they already had all the proof they needed, which was within them all along.
Jesus often invites us to have faith in Him and accept many things on faith.
The gift of faith can be likened to a small flame burning within our hearts that is easily extinguished if we don’t take care to protect it from the winds of doubt and uncertainty.
Carelessness can prevent the flame of faith from growing and flourishing.
The objective of our Christian journey is to allow our faith to grow into a burning fire as desired by God.
This is achievable, and we can let this flame become so intense that it cannot be extinguished. Are you ready to take the necessary steps to ensure that the flame burns brightly? Moreover, what actions should we take to make this happen?
To achieve the blazing fire of faith within, we need to focus on how we handle the spark of faith that already exists within us.
It’s crucial to take good care of and nurture that small flame, treating the initial stages of our faith with great care.
We must protect and nourish it so that it can grow. This involves being mindful and intentional in our prayer life and avoiding carelessness.
Prayer plays a vital role in allowing God to grow within us. He is present, communicating with us, and urging us to have faith.
Whenever we doubt or close ourselves off, we leave that small flame vulnerable to outside influences. On the other hand, by giving our full attention to the flame and focusing on it with intensity, we create an environment in which it can grow and flourish.
Engaging in prayer, actively listening to God, seeking Him out, loving Him, and believing in Him are the pathways to obtaining the faith that God intends to give us.
If the Apostles had allowed the gift of faith that had been planted within them to flourish by softening their hearts, they would have believed without hesitation that Jesus was alive, without needing to see Him with their physical eyes.
Take a moment to contemplate the fact that, unlike the Apostles, we do not have the opportunity to see the physical presence of the Resurrected Christ.
However, we do have the same capacity as the Apostles to know and love Him. Consider what you are doing every day to cultivate this love and knowledge of Christ within you.
To allow the flame of faith to become a blazing and all-consuming fire, recommit yourself to prayer every day.
Focus on fostering an intentional and mindful prayer life that nourishes and strengthens your faith. As you do so, watch your faith in Christ grow and shine brightly.
Let us pray: Dear Lord, I hold a deep love and unwavering faith in You. I humbly ask for Your divine assistance in strengthening the spark of faith within me, until it becomes a burning flame that consumes me.
Guide me to know You better and love You more deeply, allowing Your love to change me from the inside out.
Cleanse my soul with Your purifying fire, removing any blockages or barriers that prevent me from fully embracing Your love. Amen.
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