Shirin McArthur

Dear friend,

It’s pretty frustrating when people don’t believe us, isn’t it? Whether we’re sharing a story about good fortune or bad tidings, it can be difficult when others, especially those we care about, don’t believe us.

Many times, we are confronted with disbelief because our stories seem impossible or fanciful to others, such as when a middling student comes home from school and claims to have gotten a perfect score on their most recent math test. Other times, disbelief arises out of avoidance or despair, as when a midwestern town gets the bad news that another plant is closing and more people will be laid off.

Disbelief is a theme in two of today’s scripture readings. In the Gospel reading from Mark, Jesus’ disciples refuse to believe the good news—shared by both Mary Magdalene and the disciples who returned from Emmaus after encountering Jesus on the road—that Jesus is alive. They just cannot imagine something so unexpected, so incomprehensible. It is completely outside their capacity to imagine, so Jesus has to show up himself and chastise them for their lack of faith.

It seems they learned their lesson. In Acts, Peter and John heal a lame beggar and then preach the Good News in Jerusalem. The religious leaders respond by arresting the pair, who speak up boldly and eloquently in their own defense. The leaders are shocked, because these are “uneducated and ordinary men.” They don’t want to believe that these apostles of Jesus could have such power, or dare to speak up in such a way. Their disbelief comes from their fear of what the apostles’ success could mean for their own power.

When in your life have you disbelieved, and why?

How in your life has God shown you unbelievable things?

Shirin McArthur
More of my reflections can be found on my blog.