Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Saint
Mark (25th April, 2017) on the Gospel and the Feast
1Pt 5:5-14;
Ps 88:2-3.6-7.16-17. (R. cf. v.2); Mk 16:15-20.
Saint Mark went with St Paul on his first missionary
journey, along with his cousin Barnabas. He made later journeys with Barnabas
alone. He was in Rome with Paul, and with St Peter. His Gospel is based on
Peter’s teaching in Rome: its concise, direct and vivid style tells us
something of Mark’s personality. Tradition dating from the third century says
that he founded the Church in Alexandria.[1]
Topic: Listen before you preach.
We see in today’s gospel the commissioning of the disciples (Mk 16:15-18) and the ascension of Jesus
into heaven (Mk 16:19-20). Jesus charged
His eleven apostles thus: “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to
the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the
one who does not believe will be condemned.” After His ascension into heaven,
the disciples went and proclaimed the good news everywhere.
The consequence of one not believing the gospel is clear in
today’s gospel, cf. Jn 3:19. We must
remember also that it is obligatory for every preacher to preach the Word of
God. Hence God warns,
If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give
him no warning, or speak to warn the wicked from their wicked way, in order to
save their life, those wicked persons shall die for their iniquity; but their blood I will require
at your hand (Ezek 3:18; cf. Ezek 33:8).
Saint Paul cried out, “For if I preach the gospel, that gives
me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not
preach the gospel!” (1Cor 9:16).
Saint Mark is a good example for all. He first believed the good
news and in turn preached it to others as evident in his gospel. Let us listen
to God first and then preach to others what we believe (the good news).
Bible Reading: Ezek 3:16-21;
33:1-9.
Thought for today: Do your part and save yourself.
Let us pray: May Almighty God open our ears to listen
to the Holy Spirit and then share its fruits with our brethren – Amen.
Saint Mark the evangelist – Pray for
us.
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others if you consider it worthy.
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