The last chapter of Mark is a bit of a conundrum.
In short, while the majority of historical manuscripts contain all twenty verses in your Bible, earlier ones do not include verses 10-20. And the earliest manuscripts stop at verse 8. Those ones are rather intriguing because it leaves Mark ending with the women in fear, having discovered an empty tomb.
Today’s short reading below is simply verse 9. It does somewhat read as a terse addition written and added because someone(s) wasn’t comfortable with verse 8 concluding the whole gospel.
Regardless, the Church selected Mark as it is for the work and life of the Church. As much as “originality” is valued by modern scholarship, the witness of the Church and her canon goes beyond textual exactness.
It can be refreshing when you think about it.
Mark 16:9 (the first one)
[They promptly reported all of the young man’s instructions to those who were with Peter. Afterward, through the work of his disciples, Jesus sent out, from the east to the west, the sacred and undying message of eternal salvation. Amen.]
Prayer
God,
Sometimes I shudder when I think about how future generations will judge me. Of course, I know this is quite presumptuous. No one will remember me in 100 years.
But I think you know what I mean. Will all these words be seen, judged? How so? Will my great-grandkids be as critical of my ethics as I am of my own forebearers?
You know what, Lord? Just help me to live rightly. I know I think too much about judgment, be it the people in the room, those coming after me, or even you. I just want to do rightly to the best of my ability.
So help me, God,
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.