Pre-Covid and a few years earlier, folks in our parish greeted one another with “Peace be with you” followed with a nice big hug. Needless to say this was already breaking the norms in an Asian country, yet this is how well formed we were in our faith and were growing towards greater discipleship. We were simply following the word of God mentioned in today’s first reading where it says greet one another with a kiss of love. While we will most certainly not kiss one another for it is just not culturally possible for the majority, regardless of race or language; We were already showing our love for one another putting not only into our words but by our action. Covid certainly put a damper on things like this, but as we all head towards a new normal once again, in the endemic phase; many of us are certainly looking toward reviving it in our parish. For it brought about a warm and loving atmosphere; You could sense that we were growing closer to being One with and in Christ.
That being said it is time for us to be courageous and take a step out in greater faith to lay healing hands on the sick, cast our devils and much more. However if we feel we are not yet ready, then at the very least we can proclaim the Good News to all creation.
Saint Mark, Evangelist Pray for us….
O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist, and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel, grant, we pray, that we may so profit from his teaching
as to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, (one) God, for ever and ever. Amen
First reading
1 Peter 5:5-14 ·
My son, Mark, sends you greetings
All wrap yourselves in humility to be servants of each other, because God refuses the proud and will always favour the humble. Bow down, then, before the power of God now, and he will raise you up on the appointed day; unload all your worries on to him, since he is looking after you. Be calm but vigilant, because your enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat. Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that your brothers all over the world are suffering the same things. You will have to suffer only for a little while: the God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ will see that all is well again: he will confirm, strengthen and support you. His power lasts for ever and ever. Amen.
I write these few words to you through Silvanus, who is a brother I know I can trust, to encourage you never to let go this true grace of God to which I bear witness.
Your sister in Babylon, who is with you among the chosen, sends you greetings; so does my son, Mark.
Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Gospel
Mark 16:15-20
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:
‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.
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