By Santhiya Philomone csc –
Readings: 1Pet 5: 5-14; Mk 16: 15-20
Today, we commemorate the Feast of St. Mark, who is the author of the first gospel to be written. History notes that he accompanied Paul and Barnabas to preach the gospel in Antioch.
In the first reading, St. Peter invites us to clothe ourselves with humility, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. God provides counsel for all believers living in humility with each other. In humility, we wait and trust God to exalt us in his time. In humility, we cast our cares on him.
In the gospel, we hear about the ‘Mission Command’ by Jesus. He asks the eleven disciples to “Go to the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation.” By this ‘Mission Command’, we are called to proclaim the good news to all of creation.
Each of us is called into the ministry of Jesus in some way or other. We are called to be ‘another Christ’. We are people who wish to make known and spread the message of God and his care for his people in the world through simple acts of love. We may never know how much we can do; but it is sufficient that we do what we can.
Hence, in our prayer, let us ask for the grace like St. Mark that we may use our gifts and talents as best as we can in God’s service.