DAILY- HOMILY

April 25, 2015 SATURDAY, St. Mark, Evangelist  

Feast, Red 

1 Pt 5:5b – 14 / Mk 16:15 - 20

Reading: 1 Pt 5:5b – 14

     All of you must clothe yourself with humility in your dealings with one another, because God opposes the proud but gives his grace to the humble.

     Bow down, then, before the power of God so that he will raise you up at the appointed time. Place all your worries on him since he takes care of you.

     Be sober and alert because your enemy the devil prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Stand your ground, firm in your faith, knowing that our brothers and sisters, scattered throughout the world, are confronting similar sufferings. God, the giver of all grace, has called you to share in Christ's eternal Glory and after you have suffered a little he will bring you to perfection: he will confirm, strengthen and establish you forever. Glory be to him forever and ever. Amen.

     I have had these few lines of encouragement written to you by Silvanus, our brother, whom I know to be trustworthy. For I wanted to remind you of the kindness of God really present in all this. Hold on to it.

     Greetings from the community in Babylon, gathered by God, and from my son, Mark.

     Greet one another with a friendly embrace. Peace to you all who are in Christ.

Gospel: Mk 16:15 - 20

     Then he told them, "Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; the one who refuses to believe will be condemned. Signs like these will accompany those who have believed: in my Name they will cast out demons and speak new languages; they will pick up snakes and, if they drink anything poisonous, they will be unharmed. They will lay their hands on the sick and they will be healed."

     So then, after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and took his place at the right hand of God. The Eleven went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied them.

Reflection:

     The Acts of the Apostles mentions a Mark, or John Mark, a kinsman of Barnabas.  The house of Mark's mother Mary was the meeting place for Christians in Jerusalem during the time of the persecution. Paul and Barnabas brought Mark with them to Antioch and he accompanied them on their first missionary journey, but Mark did not last and returned to Jerusalem. 

     On a second missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to take Mark along again, but Paul thought him unreliable. Later however, Paul mentions Mark as a trusted assistant.  It is mentioned that the Apostle Peter had a co-worker whom he refers to as "my son Mark" who acted as his interpreter and secretary writing down the stories that he had heard Peter tell in his preaching about the life and teachings of Jesus. Mark accompanied Peter to Rome. Thus it is said that Mark's Gospel is based on St. Peter's teaching. Further Mark is probably a convert to Christianity by no less than St. Peter. 

     Tradition has it that after the death of Peter, Mark left Rome and went to preach in Alexandria, Egypt, where he was eventually martyred. It is of divine plan that the power of the Gospel to be proclaimed to all the ends of the earth. 

     In this modern time, Pope Francis proclaims and preaches the Word of God in his adaptive and simple ways.  His action speaks loads, and his warmth of action manifests a love of a Father.  We can learn much from him on this Easter season of grace and mercy.

     Let us pray: On this feast day of St. Mark, may his intercession assist us to boldly share in word and deed the Good News of Jesus Christ in our life, family, work and ministry. Amen.  Amen.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     JUDY & EDUARDO TINTOC

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     JOVITO YU (FEB 15, 1948 – APR 25, 2003)

     MAXIMA C. TAN

OTHER INTENTIONS:

For the eternal repose of the soul of Martina Panganiban.

For the recovery of Amelin who is hospitalized with bipolar disorder.

For the healing of the colorectal & liver cancer of KY.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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