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Friday, April 25, 2008, St. Mark
1 Peter 5:5-14, Psalm 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17, Mark 16:15-20
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/042508.shtml
MARK MY WORDS
"Through all generations my mouth shall proclaim Your
faithfulness." —Psalm 89:2
God often chooses the lowly to spread His word. John Mark, the writer of
the earliest Gospel, is an encouragement to those of us with a checkered
past.
John Mark possibly lacked a fatherly presence in his life, as indicated by
the mention only of his mother in the Bible (Acts 12:12). Mark was the
cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10) and accompanied Barnabas and Paul on the
first Christian mission (Acts 12:25). Yet John Mark "deserted" them and
refused to accompany them (Acts 15:37-38) after the action got rough (Acts
13:13). In addition to fear, Mark also could have been homesick for
Jerusalem, or he could have been upset that his cousin was no longer the
lead apostle on the mission. This is not the mindset of a fruitful
missionary team member, and Paul therefore refused to give Mark a chance
to redeem himself on a second mission (Acts 15:38-39). Some Bible scholars
speculate that the young man with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemani who
was in such a panic to flee from the soldiers that he left his clothes
behind was John Mark himself (Mk 14:51-52). If this is true, it adds to
Mark's tendency to run away in time of trouble.
Are you like John Mark? Do you have a history from which you can't escape?
John Mark persevered, and became a faithful, useful missionary, even a
co-worker of Paul (Phlm 24; 2 Tm 4:11). "God makes all things work
together for the good of those who love" Him (Rm 8:28), and He is the same
today as in Mark's time (Heb 13:8). Give your entire life, warts and all,
to the Lord.
Prayer: Father, I'm never useless to You. I am all Yours.
Promise: "The man who believes in [the good news] and accepts baptism will
be saved." —Mk 16:15-16
Praise: God gave St. Mark enough second chances that he became an
evangelist and a saint.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from April
1, 2008 through May 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, October 23, 2007
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
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