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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Courageous witnesses of the Good News
Today, we celebrate the Feast of Mark the Evangelist. We are invited to reflect on his journey, a life that was not perfect, yet transformed and courageously given for the sake of the Gospel. In Acts 13:13, we see that Mark faced challenges with the mission, but later he grew in maturity and became a faithful companion of Peter and the author of the Gospel.
The command of Jesus: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation,” is for each one of us. We may feel unsure of what to do and say, thinking that we need special knowledge or ability to share the Gospel. Yet Jesus calls us simply to share our personal stories of faith. These include moments when we felt God’s loving presence and support. Our faith stories are powerful because they are authentic. Let us then be like St. Mark, and have the courage to share what we have seen and experienced. We are not called to be perfect witnesses, but to continue trusting that God will use us even in our weaknesses.
Reflective question:
What is one story of God’s presence in my life that I can share with someone this week?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
