April 25, 2012 Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist

[이안드레아]

2012년 4월 25일 성 마르코 복음사가 축일

제1독서

베드로 1서. 5,5ㄴ-14
사랑하는 여러분, 5 여러분은 모두 겸손의 옷을 입고 서로 대하십시오. “하느님께서는 교만한 자들을 대적하시고, 겸손한 이들에게는 은총을 베푸십니다.” 6 그러므로 하느님의 강한 손 아래에서 자신을 낮추십시오. 때가 되면 그분께서 여러분을 높이실 것입니다. 7 여러분의 모든 걱정을 그분께 내맡기십시오. 그분께서 여러분을 돌보고 계십니다.
8 정신을 차리고 깨어 있도록 하십시오. 여러분의 적대자 악마가 으르렁거리는 사자처럼 누구를 삼킬까 하고 찾아 돌아다닙니다. 9 여러분은 믿음을 굳건히 하여 악마에게 대항하십시오. 여러분도 알다시피, 온 세상에 퍼져 있는 여러분의 형제들도 같은 고난을 당하고 있습니다. 10 여러분이 잠시 고난을 겪고 나면, 모든 은총의 하느님께서, 곧 그리스도 예수님 안에서 당신의 영원한 영광에 참여하도록 여러분을 불러 주신 그분께서, 몸소 여러분을 온전하게 하시고 굳세게 하시며 든든하게 하시고 굳건히 세워 주실 것입니다. 11 그분의 권능은 영원합니다. 아멘.
12 나는 성실한 형제로 여기는 실바누스의 손을 빌려 여러분에게 간략히 이 글을 썼습니다. 이것은 여러분을 격려하고, 또 하느님의 참된 은총임을 증언하려는 것입니다. 그 은총 안에 굳건히 서 있도록 하십시오.
13 여러분과 함께 선택된 바빌론 교회와 나의 아들 마르코가 여러분에게 인사합니다. 14 여러분도 사랑의 입맞춤으로 서로 인사하십시오.
그리스도 안에 있는 여러분 모두에게 평화가 있기를 빕니다.

복음

마르코. 16,15-20
그때에 15 [예수님께서 열한 제자에게 나타나시어] 이르셨다.
“너희는 온 세상에 가서 모든 피조물에게 복음을 선포하여라. 16 믿고 세례를 받는 이는 구원을 받고, 믿지 않는 자는 단죄를 받을 것이다.
17 믿는 이들에게는 이러한 표징들이 따를 것이다. 곧 내 이름으로 마귀들을 쫓아내고 새로운 언어들을 말하며, 18 손으로 뱀을 집어 들고 독을 마셔도 아무런 해도 입지 않으며, 또 병자들에게 손을 얹으면 병이 나을 것이다.”
19 주 예수님께서는 제자들에게 말씀하신 다음 승천하시어 하느님 오른쪽에 앉으셨다.
20 제자들은 떠나가서 곳곳에 복음을 선포하였다. 주님께서는 그들과 함께 일하시면서 표징들이 뒤따르게 하시어, 그들이 전하는 말씀을 확증해 주셨다.

http://www.usccb.org/calendar/index.cfm?showLit=1&action=month

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm

April 25, 2012

Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist

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 favor 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

R. (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.

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.

REFLECTION
Mark is the author of the second Gospel in the New Testament, but the first Gospel ever written. In his work, Church History (AD 325), Eusebius of Caesarea wrote the following about the Gospel of Mark: “So greatly did the splendor of piety illumine the minds of Peter's hearers, that they were not content with the unwritten teaching of the divine Gospel, but with all sorts of entreaties they besought Mark, a follower of Peter, and the one whose Gospel is extant, that he would leave them a written monument of the doctrine which had been orally communicated to them. Nor did they cease until they had prevailed with the man, and had thus become the occasion of the written Gospel which bears the name of Mark.”
Mark was martyred in Alexandria around AD 68. Non-believers seized him as he was preaching, tied his feet with cords and dragged him about the rocky streets, until he died. Christians gathered up the remains of his body and buried him in Alexandria . It is said that a French monk named Bernard carried Mark's body to Venice in AD 815, where it is buried in a secret place in Saint Mark's Cathedral!

http://www.staygreat.com/

http://www.franciscanretreats.net/

Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

Today’s Gospel from St. Mark is from the final chapter of his Gospel telling of the Ascension of the Lord to the Father. Mark’s Gospel then closes with these words, “But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.”

For me the most important words in the above quote are the words “while the Lord worked with them.” I am sure we, like the great St. Paul, want to spread the Gospel of Jesus to the whole world – well at least to our own neighborhood. But when good things happen from our efforts, let us know that it is the Lord that is causing the good things to happen, not us. We are quite simply only his instruments. He works through us. Let’s not wander around trying to do good thinking how great we are at serving, preaching, comforting, healing, helping. Our efforts are zilch without the help of Jesus. By ourselves we can do nothing. It is Jesus working with us that makes the good happen. Let us all try and remember this.

http://www.evangeli.net/gospel/gospel.html

http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

One of my most favorite memories growing up, was the playing of a game called “Follow the Leader”. This was a fun game as long as everyone was able to take their turn at being the leader, and as long as the leader gave clear instructions and played by the rule. As Christian leaders, we should follow the lead of Jesus as he showed us how to love and care for one　　 another.

In I Peter chapter 5, the leaders of the church are encouraged to be imitators of Christ by performing their duties as servants to the people of the church. They are to be as shepherds to their sheep, where they show their love and concern towards them by feeding them and protecting them. These leaders are to serve with a willing spirit as well as live a life of good examples before God and the people. It is important for the leader to serve with humility. This same spirit of humility should be seen within the people of the church toward the leaders. The young members should show respect to the older members by virtue of their years of experience being lead by God. For God loves us so, that he provides our needs. God keeps his promises to us, to the point of giving his onl　　y son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for our sins.

God is the best example of a true leader, and he wants the best for us. Let’s follow his lead.

http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation"

In many churches in the East and West, Mark the Evangelist is honored today. Each of the four gospel accounts gives us a portrait of Jesus, his mission and teaching. Each is different in style, length, and emphasis. But they all have a common thread and purpose ? the proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ. Among the four gospels, Mark's account is unique in many ways. It is the shortest account and seems to be the earliest. Mark the Evangelist was an associate of Peter and likely wrote his gospel in Rome where Peter was based. Mark wrote it in Greek. It was likely written for Gentile readers in general, and for the Christians at Rome in particular. It is significant that Mark, as well as Luke, was chosen by the Holy Spirit to write the gospel account. Augustine of Hippo, explains: "The Holy Spirit willed to choose for the writing of the Gospel two [Mark and Luke] who were not even from those who made up the Twelve, so that it might not be thought that the grace of evangelization had come onl　　y to the apostles and that in them the fountain of grace had dried up" (Sermon 239.1).

Mark ends his gospel account with Jesus' last appearance to the apostles before his ascension into heaven. Jesus' departure and ascension was both an end and a beginning for his disciples. While it was the end of Jesus' physical presence with his beloved disciples, it marked the beginning of Jesus' presence with them in a new way. Jesus promised that he would be with them always to the end of time. Now as the glorified and risen Lord and Savior, ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven, Jesus promised to send them the Holy Spirit who would anoint them with power on the Feast of Pentecost, just as Jesus was anointed for his ministry at the River Jordan. When the Lord Jesus departed physically from the apostles, they were not left in sorrow or grief. Instead, they were filled with joy and with great anticipation for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus' last words to his apostles point to his saving mission and to their mission to be witnesses of his saving death and his glorious resurrection and to proclaim the good news of salvation to all the world. Their task is to proclaim the good news of salvation, not onl　　y to the people of Israel , but to all the nations. God's love and gift of salvation is not just for a few, or for a nation, but it is for the whole world ? for all who will accept it. The gospel is the power of God, the power to forgive sins, to heal, to deliver from evil and oppression, and to restore life. Do you believe in the power of the gospel?

This is the great commission which the risen Christ gives to the whole church. All believers have been given a share in this task ? to be heralds of the good news and ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the onl　　y savior of the world. We have not been left alone in this task, for the risen Lord works in and through us by the power of his Holy Spirit. Today we witness a new Pentecost as the Lord pours out his Holy Spirit upon his people to renew and strengthen the body of Christ and to equip it for effective ministry and mission world-wide. Do you witness to others the joy of the gospel and the hope of the resurrection?

“Lord Jesus, through the gift of your Holy Spirit, you fill us with an indomitable spirit of praise and joy which no earthly trial can subdue. Fill me with your resurrection joy and help me to live a life of praise and thanksgiving for your glory. May I witness to those around me the joy of the gospel and the reality of your resurrection.”

Psalm 115:1-6

1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to thy name give glory, for the sake of thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness!
2 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?"
3 Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.

http://www.daily-meditations.org/index2.html

http://www.contemplative.com/weekday_readings.htm

Ah, my Lord Jesus, the secret is to see you and then to believe in you. "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life…." The victory of the saints and mystics has been that they always kept you in sight. To always see you in yourself, in the fullness of your person; and then to surrender in faith, to embrace you in all that you are, Son of the Father, the All-powerful redeemer of the human race. That is why I take refuge in the fullness of your Church, as the sign, the mystery, the word, the Magisterium that contains you and presents you to my sight by the power of the Spirit. The Spirit plunges me into the visible Church, the Catholic and Apostolic Church in all its institutional reality as the subsistent reality of your will for the work of Salvation in its fullness. It is within the embrace of the Church that I find Jesus so I can look upon him and be caught up in faith, the Spirit’s empowering, the Father’s working.

http://goodnews.ie/calendar.php

Today is the feast of St Mark the evangelist, writer of the earliest of the gospels. He had a stormy beginning: he set out on a missionary journey with his uncle Barnabas, and Paul; but he quit after a while (Acts 13:13). Later, Paul refused to take him with him on another missionary journey (Acts 15:37-40). Then there are some years when nothing is heard of him. But when we meet him again, to our surprise he is a prisoner with Paul in Rome ( Col 4:10); and Paul makes a few very appreciative references to him in a later letter (2 Tim 4:11). Mark had redeemed himself in Paul’s eyes. See? Even a great evangelist can be in the dog-house for a time! So why not you or I?

Mark’s gospel leaves an impression of breathless haste; it is like a child telling a story. Many sentences begin with “And”; he often uses phrases like “straight away”, “and immediately”; he uses the ‘historic present’ (“Jesus says to them,” not said), which gives a feeling of urgency. The Old Testament took thousands of years to unfold, but the New Testament unfolded in just a couple of years. There is an urgency about the gospels ? Mark’s in particular ? that makes it quite clear they are not just for reading; they are for doing.

In its original form Mark’s gospel has onl　　y a very inadequate account of the Resurrection. It ended at 16:8, “[The women] went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.....” This would be a very great anti-climax to the story of Jesus; the good news would not have gone very far. Scholars therefore talk about “the lost ending.” There is an ending in place, of course. Today’s reading is from that added part. It is regarded as canonical; but the style shows that it was not written by Mark. Good News gets out, one way or another.

http://www.presentationministries.com/

FORGIVENESS AND GREATNESS

"The church that is in Babylon , chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does Mark my son. Greet one another with the embrace of true love. Peace." ? Peter 5:13-14

John Mark quit the first missionary journey (Acts 13:13). It may have been the biggest mistake he'd ever made. When he realized his mistake, he asked Paul to give him a second chance and take him on the second mission. "But Paul insisted that, as he had deserted them at Pamphylia, refusing to join them on that mission, he was not fit to be taken along now" (Acts 15:38). Surely it hurt Mark to be called "unfit" for ministry (see Lk 9:62). Barnabas, Mark's cousin ( Col 4:10), also took offense at Paul's eval‎uation of Mark. "The disagreement which ensued was so sharp that the two separated. Barnabas took Mark along with him and sailed for Cyprus " (Acts 15:39).

Paul and John Mark could have gone through life and even through death bitter and unforgiving toward each other. But the good news is that they reconciled. Paul later tells Timothy: "Get Mark and bring him with you, for he can be of great service to me" (2 Tm 4:11). Mark, once "unfit," is now considered "of great service."

Instead of bitterness and unforgiveness, Paul had a love for Mark which prompted him to command the Colossians to make Mark welcome ( Col 4:10). Paul, the great missionary and apostle, and Mark, the earliest Gospel-writer, were among the most important people in human history. But this would never have happened if they hadn't forgiven each other.

Prayer: Father, I decide to accept Your grace to forgive everyone for everything immediately.

Promise: "The Lord continued to work with them throughout and confirm‎ the message through the signs which accompanied them." 뾏k 16:20

Praise: St. Mark was called at a young age to do great things for Christ.

http://www.judeop.org/daily_bread.htm

Cast all your worries upon [God] because he cares for you. It’s Saturday, so unless this is your parish feast, it’s probably a low-key day ? time to consider a low-key parable that onl　　y appears in the Gospel of Mark (4:26-29). To summarize: the kingdom is like a seed that sprouted while the farmer took a nap. There is work ? preparing the soil, sowing the seed and, later, the harvesting. But the growing ? that’s God’s work, and all our fretting won’t do a thing. In fact, being too zealous with the watering can or pruning shears will onl　　y be counterproductive. There comes a time when we have to pray the prayer of the good Pope John XXIII: It’s your church (parish, world, nation, environment, cause, loved one　　, child) God; I’m going to bed. Pbs

Commentary

Mark's symbol is the lion and his gospel enables us, the followers of Jesus, to stand firm and resist the devil that seeks to hinder us from being the beloved children of God. The life of baptism/confirmation/eucharist is one of resistance, of undergoing suffering for the sake of the Gospel. Peter sees Mark as his son in the Lord, and Mark will write his gospel with Peter as the image of the believer who fails, betrays and is afraid and yet because of the resurrection will stand firm and become solid in faith. Mark's gospel is the first one we have and it calls us to 'deny ourselves, pick up our cross and come after Jesus', learning to be faithful and free in the Word and presence of the Risen Lord. Some say that it was Mark who was in the tomb, proclaiming the Gospel, because onc　　　　　e in the garden that night Jesus was arrested, he too ran in fear.

they all applauded

Clothe yourself with humility.
1 Peter 5:5

Years ago, Don Shula, famous
football coach of the Miami
Dolphins, was vacationing in
Maine with his wife and their 5
children. One rainy afternoon
they went to the town's only
theater. When they walked in,
there were only 6 people in the
theater. Everyone of them stood
and applauded them. As Don
and his family sat down, a man
ran up and shook Don's hand.
Don asked, "How did you recog-
nize me?" The man said, Mister,
"I don't know you. All I know is
that just before your family
walked in, the manager said that
unless 5 more people showed up
we wouldn't have a movie today."

If Jesus asked my best friend
how humble I am, how might my
best friend answer him?

Humility isn't thinking little of self;
it isn't thinking of self at all.

“But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.” With these words the Gospel of Mark comes to a close. With these words we see the beauty of discipleship: God is with us in our endeavors making them fruitful.

St. Mark, the Evangelist, whose feast we celebrate today, is the writer of the first Gospel or the second Gospel if we count by the Scriptural canon. He is sometimes also referred to as John Mark. His mother’s name was Mary who was also highly esteemed in the early Church and who allowed the early Christians to use her home as a meeting place.

Mark joined Paul and Barnabas in their missionary journey to Cyprus. Later on he was in Rome and Peter and Paul. He wrote his Gospel most likely in Rome before the year 60 AD. In it he set down in writing the teaching of St. Peter. His feast is April 25 and he is the patron Saint of notaries probably because of his witnessing to St. Peter.

St. Mark, pray for us.

Fr. Howard

≪Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation≫

Today, there would be plenty to speak about as to why the word of the Gospel does not reverberate with strength and conviction; as to why we, Christians, keep a leery silence regarding what we believe in, in spite of the so called “new evangelization”. Each one will make his own analysis and will come out with his particular version.

But in the festivity of St. Mark, while listening to the Gospel and looking at the Evangelist, we cannot but proclaim assuredly and gratefully where the source is and where the strength of our word lies.

The gospeller does not speak because he has been told so by a recent sociological study, or because of political “prudence”, or because “he feels like saying what he thinks about”. No, he does it, because a presence and a command have certainly been prescribed upon him, from the outside, without coercion, but with the authority of who deserves all the credit: ≪Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation≫ (Mk 16:15). That is, that we yieldingly evangelize, although we do it gleefully and confidently.

On the other hand, our word is not presented just like another one out of the market of ideas and views, but it has the whole weight of all strong and explicit messages. Life or death depend upon its recognition or rejection; and its truth, its capacity for conviction, comes the testimonial way, that is, it appears accredited by the signs of power in favor of the needy. This is why it actually is an “announcement”, a public, happy and excited statement, of a conclusive and saving fact.

Why, then, our silence? Fear, shyness? St. Justin said that ≪though unlettered and without any fluency, they could persuade mankind because of their virtue≫. The sign or miracle of virtue is our eloquence. Let the Lord carry out, at least, His work, in our midst and with us: ≪While the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied them≫ (Mk 16:20).

The word “humility” is sometimes confused with being weak. In the Christian sense, humility deals with an attitude of modesty, selflessness, gentleness, grace, meekness and forbearance. Humility in this sense is one　 of the virtues most pleasing to God. I can clearly remember my years as a teenager being teased by my friends because of my attempt to speak proper English, and thought of myself as being somebody, but thanks be to God, that it is not about me, but about Him. Jesus Christ is the greatest example of humility. In an act of total self-denial, the eternal son of God humbled Himself to the extent of taking human form and in the end dying to save sinful man. Jesus was never boastful, and never acted in his own interests, but he always submitted to his Father’s will and served his fellowman.

In Psalms 89, we see where because of God’s covenant with David, to bless him and his generations to come. David praises God for his Mercy and Grace toward him. Mercy is shown by God to keep back or protect us from the judgment we deserve. Grace is the undeserved favor of God unto us. We are saved by Grace, and not by our works.

In Mark 16:15-20, we have the post-resurrection ministry of Jesus. Prior to Jesus ascending into the heavens, he appeared to his disciples to give final instructions, the Great Commission. Before they were to go out evangelizing, they were instructed to go back to Jerusalem and wait for the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. We still today have the guidance of the Holy Spirit through our daily journey.

So if we humble ourselves and pray, and seek God’s face, then we shall hear from Heaven, and we shall be able to sing praises to him forever.

by
Bob Berry
Department of Information Technology

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation"

In many churches in the East and West, Mark the Evangelist is honored today. Each of the four gospel accounts gives us a portrait of Jesus, his mission and teaching. Each is different in style, length, and emphasis. But they all have a common thread and purpose ? the proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ. Among the four gospels, Mark's account is unique in many ways. It is the shortest account and seems to be the earliest. Mark the Evangelist was an associate of Peter and likely wrote his gospel in Rome where Peter was based. Mark wrote it in Greek. It was likely written for Gentile readers in general, and for the Christians at Rome in particular. It is significant that Mark, as well as Luke, was chosen by the Holy Spirit to write the gospel account. Augustine of Hippo, explains: "The Holy Spirit willed to choose for the writing of the Gospel two [Mark and Luke] who were not even from those who made up the Twelve, so that it might not be thought that the grace of evangelization had come onl　　　　　y to the apostles and that in them the fountain of grace had dried up" (Sermon 239.1).

Mark ends his gospel account with Jesus' last appearance to the apostles before his ascension into heaven. Jesus' departure and ascension was both an end and a beginning for his disciples. While it was the end of Jesus' physical presence with his beloved disciples, it marked the beginning of Jesus' presence with them in a new way. Jesus promised that he would be with them always to the end of time. Now as the glorified and risen Lord and Savior, ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven, Jesus promised to send them the Holy Spirit who would anoint them with power on the Feast of Pentecost, just as Jesus was anointed for his ministry at the River Jordan. When the Lord Jesus departed physically from the apostles, they were not left in sorrow or grief. Instead, they were filled with joy and with great anticipation for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus' last words to his apostles point to his saving mission and to their mission to be witnesses of his saving death and his glorious resurrection and to proclaim the good news of salvation to all the world. Their task is to proclaim the good news of salvation, not only to the people of Israel, but to all the nations. God's love and gift of salvation is not just for a few, or for a nation, but it is for the whole world ? for all who will accept it. The gospel is the power of God, the power to forgive sins, to heal, to deliver from evil and oppression, and to restore life. Do you believe in the power of the gospel?

This is the great commission which the risen Christ gives to the whole church. All believers have been given a share in this task ? to be heralds of the good news and ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the onl　　　　　y savior of the world. We have not been left alone in this task, for the risen Lord works in and through us by the power of his Holy Spirit. Today we witness a new Pentecost as the Lord pours out his Holy Spirit upon his people to renew and strengthen the body of Christ and to equip it for effective ministry and mission world-wide. Do you witness to others the joy of the gospel and the hope of the resurrection?

“Lord Jesus, through the gift of your Holy Spirit, you fill us with an indomitable spirit of praise and joy which no earthly trial can subdue. Fill me with your resurrection joy and help me to live a life of praise and thanksgiving for your glory. May I witness to those around me the joy of the gospel and the reality of your resurrection.”

Psalm 115:1-6

1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to thy name give glory, for the sake of thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness!
2 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?"
3 Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.

On this feast of St. Mark the evangelist, I encourage you to read, reread and then reflect on today's First Reading as it holds infinitely more than what I can begin to convey to you. As you do this, consider these thoughts:

Do I clothe myself in humility or am I over-proud in my dealings with others?

Do I humble myself under God's hand or at times do I ignore His teaching and guidance?

Am I sober and vigilant, or do I let my guard down exposing me to the evil of the enemy?

Am I steadfast in my faith, or do I sometimes waiver with doubt?

Do I realize that I do not suffer alone and that in due time God will restore me?

Do I remain firm in His true grace?

After your reflection, renew yourself in your faith, in quiet prayer, knowing that you can cast all your worries on the all-loving God and He will exalt you in due time?in His time.

- Don Claunch, S

Mark had a stormy beginning: he set out on a missionary journey with his uncle Barnabas, and Paul; but he quit after a while (Acts 13:13). Later, Paul refused to take him with him on another missionary journey (Acts 15:37-40). Then there are some years when nothing is heard of him. But when we meet him again, to our surprise he is a prisoner with Paul in Rome (Col 4:10); and Paul makes a few very appreciative references to him in a later letter (2 Tim 4:11). Mark had redeemed himself in Paul’s eyes. See? Even a great evangelist can be in the dog-house for a time! So why not you or I?

Mark’s gospel leaves an impression of breathless haste; it is like a child telling a story. Many sentences begin with “And”; he often uses phrases like “straight away”, “and immediately”; he uses the ‘historic present’ (“Jesus says to them,” not said), which gives a feeling of urgency. The Old Testament took thousands of years to unfold, but the New Testament unfolded in just a couple of years. There is an urgency about the gospels ? Mark’s in particular ? that makes it quite clear they are not just for reading; they are for doing.

In its original form Mark’s gospel has only a very inadequate account of the Resurrection. It ended at 16:8, “[The women] went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.....” This would be a very great anti-climax to the story of Jesus; the good news would not have gone very far. Scholars therefore talk about “the lost ending.” There is an ending in place, of course. Today’s reading is from that added part. It is regarded as canonical; but the style shows that it was not written by Mark. Good News gets out, one　　　　　 way or another.

MARK MY WORDS

"Through all generations my mouth shall proclaim Your faithfulness." 뾒salm 89:2

God often chooses the lowly to spread His word. John Mark, the writer of the earliest Gospel, is an encouragement to those of us with a checkered past.

John Mark possibly lacked a fatherly presence in his life, as indicated by the mention onl　　　　　y of his mother in the Bible (Acts 12:12). Mark was the cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10) and accompanied Barnabas and Paul on the first Christian mission (Acts 12:25). Yet John Mark "deserted" them and refused to accompany them (Acts 15:37-38) after the action got rough (Acts 13:13). In addition to fear, Mark also could have been homesick for Jerusalem, or he could have been upset that his cousin was no longer the lead apostle on the mission. This is not the mindset of a fruitful missionary team member, and Paul therefore refused to give Mark a chance to redeem himself on a second mission (Acts 15:38-39). Some Bible scholars speculate that the young man with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemani who was in such a panic to flee from the soldiers that he left his clothes behind was John Mark himself (Mk 14:51-52). If this is true, it adds to Mark's tendency to run away in time of trouble.

Are you like John Mark? Do you have a history from which you can't escape? John Mark persevered, and became a faithful, useful missionary, even a co-worker of Paul (Phlm 24; 2 Tm 4:11). "God makes all things work together for the good of those who love" Him (Rm 8:28), and He is the same today as in Mark's time (Heb 13:8). Give your entire life, warts and all, to the Lord.

Prayer: Father, I'm never useless to You. I am all Yours.

Promise: "The man who believes in [the good news] and accepts baptism will be saved." 뾏k 16:15-16

Praise: God gave St. Mark enough second chances that he became an evangelist and a saint.