Mark 16

Mark 16 by verse:

Mark 16:1-8

John Dominic Crossan, “The Named and the Unnamed,” The Historical Jesus, p. 410 ff.
Dan Damon, “The Spirit Filled the Tomb with Breath,” The Sound of Welcome, p. 16
Carla De Sola, The Spirit Moves, p. 95-96
Mary Gordon, “The Empty Tomb,” Incarnation, p. 24
Donald Hall, “Easters,” The Painted Bed, p. 33

“Easters”

On the fourth Easter the passionate
minister with the face of a boy
spoke as he blessed Communion,
and my spirit lightened for the first
time since her death at the image
of a tomb opened, a hooded figure.

Luke T. Johnson, “Expository Article on Luke 24:1-12,” Interpretation (January 1992), p. 59

“Expository Article on Luke 24:1-12”

In Mark, the messenger is a “young man,” clearly meant to suggest the restoration of the disciples who had abandoned Jesus. The nonangelic, fully human identity of the messenger makes him the first witness to the resurrection and alleviates the failure of the women to fulfill their commission.

Richard Lischer, “The Interrupted Sermon,” Interpretation (April 1996), p. 179

“The Interrupted Sermon”

What we see in our parishes is improvements and setbacks; he sees on our behalf what is the beginning of a whole new age. The unfinished nature of the New Testament documents hints at this reality. In the original ending of Mark, the disciples and women are like projectiles emanating from some Big Bang. Where they will land, God only knows.

Parker Palmer, “Threatened with Resurrection,” The Active Life, p. 139-157
Ronald Parker, “Go out to meet him.,” Meeting Life

“Go out to meet him”

They rouse themselves
shake off the weight of sleep and grief …

They set their sorrow gently to the side
and while the men indulge their loss
with sleep take on the task at hand
as women always have …
The dawn did not awaken them
New life did not intrude itself
into the darkened room of sleep.
They went to meet it and were met
by unanticipated Joy.
Hallelujah! Christ has risen!

Imaging the Word, Vol. 3, p. 192

Mark 16:9-20