The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Feast of St. Mark, invite us to contemplate the work of the Evangelist to spread the Good News even as we seek strength to follow his example.
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| Good News proclaimed |
The reading from the 1st Letter of Peter contains advice to the community that God will restore, support, strengthen, and establish them.
* [5:5–11] The community is to be subject to the presbyters and to show humility toward one another and trust in God’s love and care (1 Pt 5:5–7). With sobriety, alertness, and steadfast faith they must resist the evil one; their sufferings are shared with Christians everywhere (1 Pt 5:8–9). They will be strengthened and called to eternal glory (1 Pt 5:10–11).1
Psalm 89 recalls God’s Covenant with David.
* [Psalm 89] The community laments the defeat of the Davidic king, to whom God promised kingship as enduring as the heavens (Ps 89:2–5). The Psalm narrates how God became king of the divine beings (Ps 89:6–9) and how the Davidic king became king of earthly kings (Ps 89:20–38). Since the defeat of the king calls into question God’s promise, the community ardently prays God to be faithful to the original promise to David (Ps 89:39–52).2
The Longer Ending of the Gospel of Mark declares the commissioning of the Eleven. “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” and concludes with the Ascension of Jesus.
* [16:9–20] This passage, termed the Longer Ending to the Marcan gospel by comparison with a much briefer conclusion found in some less important manuscripts, has traditionally been accepted as a canonical part of the gospel and was defined as such by the Council of Trent. Early citations of it by the Fathers indicate that it was composed by the second century, although vocabulary and style indicate that it was written by someone other than Mark. It is a general resume of the material concerning the appearances of the risen Jesus, reflecting, in particular, traditions found in Lk 24 and Jn 20.3
Thomas Lenz draws attention to Peter’s first letter. It seems to say so much about what the world is experiencing right here and now. Peter says, “Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.” How perfect for the worries of the newness we live in today.
Sometimes our fast-paced lives cause us to get caught up inside the issues of our personal lives only. It’s easy to feel like our problems are worse than others. This “otherness” leads to an individualistic view and does not allow us to see the interconnections among all of us. It doesn’t allow us to see that we are just part of the whole, rather than being “the whole”. Peter reminds us that people everywhere experience the same difficulties and challenges regardless of where you live. Likewise, the COVID-19 pandemic is teaching us the same. It doesn’t matter your gender, race, nationality, socio-economic status, or even political party, no one is immune to the challenges of the day. We are all experiencing physical isolation from one another, anxiety from not knowing what the immediate and long-term future holds, and perhaps a longing for “the good ‘ol days” of pre-pandemic life. But, knowing that we are not suffering inside of our individual-ness is somehow comforting because it allows us to connect with everyone across the globe at a deeper level. And, perhaps if we reflect upon that notion for long enough, we can realize that in order for us to feel whole as an individual, we need to paradoxically come to terms with the idea that we are only part of the whole and share the greater wholeness with the rest of humanity.4
Don Schwager quotes “The Gospel proclaimed to all creation,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"The command to the apostles to be witnesses to him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even to the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8) was not addressed exclusively to those to whom it was immediately spoken. They alone would not be the only ones who would carry such an enormous task to completion. Similarly he seems to be speaking to the apostles very personally when he says: 'Behold I am with you even to the end of the world' (Matthew 28:20), yet who does not know that he made this promise to the universal church which will last from now even to the consummation of the world by successive births and deaths?" (excerpt from LETTER 199,TO HESYCHIUS 49)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 16:15-20 shares, like Mark, we have heard the good news. Like him, we know that Jesus expects us to share it. But we might find that difficult to do. Worry over saying the wrong thing, fear of sounding pushy, or just the busy pace of life can block us from taking up our calling.
Maybe we can take some inspiration from St. Mark. Remember, he always seemed to be running at full speed. That kind of pace ought to sound familiar to us. Perhaps we could take some of the brisk energy we feel in our everyday lives—running to the store, to the office, to campus, to pick up the kids—and channel it toward serving the Lord.
Where are you running today? Is there an opportunity to stop for a moment, look around, and see if there is someone who could use a word of encouragement?6
Friar Jude Winkler comments on Peter’s parenesis at the conclusion of his letter. The details of the experience of Peter with Jesus, conveyed to Mark, also include descriptions of the brokenness of the leader of the Apostles. Friar Jude suggests the shorter ending to Mark’s Gospel was suited to the audience of Christian martyrs in Rome at the time.
A post by Franciscan Media outlines the life of Mark and his association with Peter and Paul in his mission to proclaim the Good News.
Mark fulfilled in his life what every Christian is called to do: proclaim to all people the Good News that is the source of salvation. In particular, Mark’s way was by writing. Others may proclaim the Good News by music, drama, poetry, or by teaching children around a family table.7
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces a prayer practice from the book, Meditations with Teresa of Ávila: A Journey into the Sacred by Megan Don. The small amount of time we do spend in prayer and meditation, Teresa believed, should be given wholly to the Beloved—we should consider it not ours but the Beloved’s. And we should become determined never to take it back—not for any trial or challenge we experience, not for any contradiction in our life, not for any dryness we experience in prayer. Ultimately, what Teresa is saying is that no matter what is occurring in our life, we are not to abandon the relationship that is the very core of our existence.
Living with the Beloved does not always mean being bathed in delight and tenderness (even though this is what we would all prefer). What it does mean is serving the divine relationship with fortitude and humility. When things in our life become less than pleasurable, naturally we want them to become easier. Teresa ascertained, however, that such a desire lacks the freedom our spirit requires. The spirit needs to roam where it is guided, and we can join in this courageous adventure by allowing it to accomplish what it is here to do.
Coming into your quiet place of being, bring yourself fully into the presence of the Beloved, not expecting anything, only coming to give—of yourself and your time. Give freely, and allow yourself to simply be with the One who loves you. Let your spirit roam where it needs to—let your courage emerge to help you. Bless your life for all that it is.8
The grace to follow the example of Evangelist Mark grows in our attention to prayer and mediation with the Beloved.
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