Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of
Saint Mark, Evangelist (25th April, 2018) 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 first and then 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, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order
to save his life, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his 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 help us 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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