The Gospel according to Mark (16:15-18)
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.”
Reflection:
These words at the very end of the Gospel of Mark are Jesus’ call to His Apostles to be His evangelists in the world. Those same words are addressed to each of us as well. By virtue of our Baptism and Confirmation, we, too, are called to share the Good News wherever we go.
I’m a convert to the Catholic faith as some of you know. When I was going through the RCIA process to become Catholic, I knew that I wanted to be more than just a passive spectator in my faith life. I truly believe that was the Holy Spirit inside me that was preparing me to serve the Lord fully as a member of the Catholic Church. I’m blessed that I’ve been able to serve the Church in a variety of ways, and I know it has all been the gracious gift of God in my life.
For each of us, though, sharing the Good News does not mean doing it in formal ministry as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, altar server, deacon or anything else. It comes down to living it out in our day to day life. I’m reminded of the words I often use when doing the conclusion of a Mass I’m assisting with – “go in peace, and live the Gospel by the way you live your life.” It’s more than just a statement or comment – it is the commissioning for all of us. We may be the main Gospel that others read and they do it by how we shine Jesus’ light. May we always seek to proclaim the Gospel by our lives, and share Jesus’ love in all the big and small ways that we can.
Action for the Day: Pray for the Lord to show you one way to shine His light in another’s life by an act of love or kindness. Be the light and proclaim the Gospel by that kind act!
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