Readings
I - 1Pt. 5: 5-14
II - Mk. 16: 15-20
ST. MARK, THE EVANGELIST
Proclamation of the Good News is not the task of the apostles alone but the primary responsibility of all the baptised as well. Jesus sends his disciples with gifts and signs that would prove their credibility as believers in Christ: gift of tongues, will be able to pick up snakes in their hands, be unharmed even if they were to drink deadly poison and heal the sick. The apostles went out and proclaimed the Good News vehemently with conviction.
Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Mark, the evangelist. St. Mark was not an apostle but was a disciple of St. Peter. He was a missionary companion of St. Paul and St. Barnabas. The lion is the symbol of St. Mark because his Gospel account begins with the preaching of John the Baptist as that of the roaring lion for repentance. St. Mark took the Gospel to Egypt and died as a martyr in Alexandria. St. Mark was a passionate preacher, courageous coworker of St. Paul and a valiant martyr for Christ. May St. Mark intercede for us that we be authentic witnesses and courageous followers of Christ. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to be your effective follower”
