Empower Your Faith/ Saint Mark, Evangelist — Feast; Mark 16:15–20

April 25, 2023

Gospel

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

Reflection

As we celebrate the Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist, today’s Gospel reading reminds us of Jesus’ final command to his disciples before ascending into heaven. He instructs them to go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. This mission is not only limited to the disciples but also extends to all of us who have received the grace of faith.

The Gospel message is a message of hope, love, and salvation. It is a message that is meant to be shared with everyone, regardless of race, gender, or status in life. We are called to bring the Gospel to every corner of the world and to every person we meet. Our mission is to make Christ known and loved, and to bring others to Him.

The Gospel also reminds us that faith is not just a matter of believing, but it is also about living out that belief. Our faith is meant to be active, and it should bear fruit in our lives. The signs that Jesus mentioned in the Gospel passage are not meant to be seen as mere miracles or wonders. Instead, they are meant to be seen as symbols of the power of God at work in the lives of those who believe.

We are called to live out our faith in such a way that it becomes evident to others. Our lives should be a reflection of the Gospel message that we proclaim. We should be a light in the darkness, bringing hope and healing to those who are in need. We should be a source of comfort to those who are hurting, and a voice of truth to those who are lost.

As we reflect on this Gospel passage and the life of Saint Mark, let us ask ourselves how we can live out our mission to proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Let us pray for the courage and the grace to live out our faith in such a way that it becomes evident to others. May we be like Saint Mark, who fearlessly proclaimed the Gospel, and whose life was a testament to the power of God at work in the world. Amen