“When the Sabbath ended, Mary of Magdalene and Mary, James’ and Salome’s mother, purchased spices so they could anoint Jesus” (Mark 16.1). What is the Sabbath? Not Sunday, I mean. Not the tradition of church going and big lunches and… Read moreAbrupt: After the Sabbath

“He said to them, ‘Don’t be startled. You’re looking for Jesus of Nazareth, the one crucified. He’s been raised and isn’t here. See, here’s the place they laid him’” (Mark 16.6). How can this figure say that with a straight… Read moreAbrupt: Startled

“Coming into the tomb, they saw a young man seated to the right clothed in a long white robe. And they were startled” (Mark 16.5). According to Mark’s Gospel, on the night of Jesus’ arrest there was a young man… Read moreAbrupt: Clothed

“They said to each other, ‘Who’ll roll back the stone from the tomb’s entrance?’” (Mark 16.3). Jesus does little if anything in the account we read from Mark. If, as we spoke of last week, the book ends with the… Read moreAbrupt: Inaction