Monday April 25, 2022

MARK, Evangelist    

 

Introduction

A disciple of Peter, Mark writes in simple words how with Jesus came the time of salvation and repentance. He shows Jesus both as the Son of God and the Son of Man, whose life led to his death, but who revealed himself fully in the resurrection. The disciple must follow his master.

 

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
there is much in us that obscures your word
and keeps us from being truly your Church.
We pray you today:
Call us, as once you called Mark,
to speak and live your word.
Inspire us through your Spirit
and teach us to live in the hope
that your kingdom will come
and remain among us
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
now and for ever.

 

Reading 1:1 PT 5:5B-14

Beloved: 
Clothe yourselves with humility
in your dealings with one another, for:
God opposes the proud
but bestows favour on the humble.
So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time.
Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.
Be sober and vigilant.
Your opponent the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.
Resist him, steadfast in faith,
knowing that your brothers and sisters throughout the world
undergo the same sufferings.
The God of all grace
who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus
will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you
after you have suffered a little.
To him be dominion forever. Amen.
I write you this briefly through Silvanus,
whom I consider a faithful brother,
exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God.
Remain firm in it.
The chosen one at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son.
Greet one another with a loving kiss.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

 

Responsorial Psalm 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17

(2) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. 
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The heavens proclaim your wonders, O LORD,
and your faithfulness, in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies can rank with the LORD?
Who is like the LORD among the sons of God? 
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

 

Alleluia   1COR 1:23A-24B

Alleluia, alleluia.
We proclaim Christ crucified;
he is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel   MK 16:15-20

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
“Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them,
was taken up into heaven
and took his seat at the right hand of God.
But they went forth and preached everywhere,
while the Lord worked with them
and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

 

Intentions

–          For all who speak the word of God, that they themselves may be filled with it and out of this fullness proclaim it with conviction and warmth, we pray:

–          For all who hear the word of God, that they may receive and treasure it in their hearts and bear fruits of goodness and peace, we pray:

–          For those who do not yet know Jesus Christ, God’s living Word and image, that the lives of many convinced Christians may open their eyes to Jesus, the true light who came among people, we pray:

 

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord our God,
you invite us to gather around your Son,
that he may share himself with us
in the signs of bread and wine.
May he also share his Spirit with us,
to speak his word
and to become to all those around us
signs of your goodness and peace,
that people may praise your name
through Christ our Lord.

 

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God,
accept our thanks for making known to us
how good and inspiring your Son is.
May we bring something
of his goodness and his good news
in the world of today
and may the way we live
be part of this message.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

 

Blessing

May we too be people of the word of God, who know it and put it into practice, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

 

Commentary

Courting Miracles

In July 2019, a Zimbabwean pastor, wanting to convince his flock about the power of prayer, announced that he would walk on water on the following Sunday. He fasted and prayed for a week. At the designated day and time, in the presence of his family and believers, he entered the lake. As he moved in, hoping to lift himself above the water, three crocodiles came from nowhere and devoured him. In a matter of minutes, what remained afloat were only a piece of his clothing and footwear. Sad!  Whereas signs and miracles may accompany faith, we are not to put the Lord to the test. Nor are we to take everything in the Bible literally either. Perhaps the new languages we are gifted to speak are the languages of love and forgiveness; the snakes we handle are the worldly deceptions; or the poison that does not affect us are the dangerous philosophies that the world feeds on. Our mission is to preach; as to the miraculous acts, let us leave them to God’s discretion.

Reflection is taken from Bible Diary 2022;

written by Fr.Paulson Velyannoor, CMF