This week's lengthy gospel text contains two distinct pericopes and a separate conclusion. The content of each of these two stories may be distinct, but they intentionally mirror each other closely in form. The extreme importance of the Johannine message delivered by these two scenes is evident by their placement. The final two verses read today (vv. 30-31) constitute John's original ending to his gospel before the events in chapter 21 were belatedly added. Thus, the events and reactions described in 20:19-23 and 24-29 were originally intended to be John's final words to all would-be followers of Jesus.

The first pericope expands the astounding events of Easter Sunday "evening on that same day." Despite the fact that Mary Magdalene has reported to the disciples her encounter with the risen…