First reading 1 Peter 5:5-14
My son, Mark, sends you greetings
All wrap yourselves in humility to be servants of each other, because God refuses the proud and will always favour the humble. Bow down, then, before the power of God now, and he will raise you up on the appointed day; unload all your worries on to him, since he is looking after you. Be calm but vigilant, because your enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat. Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that your brothers all over the world are suffering the same things. You will have to suffer only for a little while: the God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ will see that all is well again: he will confirm, strengthen and support you. His power lasts for ever and ever. Amen.
I write these few words to you through Silvanus, who is a brother I know I can trust, to encourage you never to let go this true grace of God to which I bear witness.
Your sister in Babylon, who is with you among the chosen, sends you greetings; so does my son, Mark.
Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Responsorial Psalm 88(89):2-3,6-7,16-17
I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
or
Alleluia!
I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,
that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.
The heavens proclaim your wonders, O Lord;
the assembly of your holy ones proclaims your truth.
For who in the skies can compare with the Lord
or who is like the Lord among the sons of God?
Happy the people who acclaim such a king,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
who find their joy every day in your name,
who make your justice the source of their bliss.
Gospel Mark 16:15-20
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:
‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.
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Go!
“The Church continues to preach this to everyone, all over the world. But she does not go forth alone: she goes forth with Jesus.” (Pope Francis) Jesus continues to call us to go and share the good news, through our words and actions, with people around us. What is the good news that we are called to share? The good news is Jesus’ unconditional love and faithful companionship. In the same way that we cannot help ourselves but share with others about an exciting event, we cannot keep the gift of Jesus’ love that we have received for ourselves. Instead, we must listen and respond with generosity as He tells us, “Go!”
In order for us to go, we first need to stay. We need to remain in Jesus by developing a daily habit of prayer where we spend time listening to Him, experiencing ourselves being loved by Him and receiving the nourishment of peace and strength from Him. His presence in our lives need to be good news for us before we can go and proclaim Him to others.
Reflective question:
Am I aware that I am being sent out to bring Jesus to others?
Am I aware that I am being sent out to bring Jesus to others?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
