1 Peter 5:5-14, Psalm 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17, Mark 16:15-20
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FORGIVENESS AND GREATNESS
"The church that is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you
greetings, as does Mark my son. Greet one another with the embrace of true
love. Peace." —1 Peter 5:13-14
John Mark quit the first missionary journey (Acts 13:13). It may have been
the biggest mistake he'd ever made. When he realized his mistake, he asked
Paul to give him a second chance and take him on the second mission. "But
Paul insisted that, as he had deserted them at Pamphylia, refusing to join
them on that mission, he was not fit to be taken along now" (Acts 15:38).
Surely it hurt Mark to be called "unfit" for ministry (see Lk 9:62).
Barnabas, Mark's cousin (Col 4:10), also took offense at Paul's evaluation
of Mark. "The disagreement which ensued was so sharp that the two
separated. Barnabas took Mark along with him and sailed for Cyprus" (Acts
15:39).
Paul and John Mark could have gone through life and even through death
bitter and unforgiving toward each other. But the good news is that they
reconciled. Paul later tells Timothy: "Get Mark and bring him with you,
for he can be of great service to me" (2 Tm 4:11). Mark, once "unfit," is
now considered "of great service."
Instead of bitterness and unforgiveness, Paul had a love for Mark which
prompted him to command the Colossians to make Mark welcome (Col 4:10).
Paul, the great missionary and apostle, and Mark, the earliest
Gospel-writer, were among the most important people in human history. But
this would never have happened if they hadn't forgiven each other.
Prayer: Father, I decide to accept Your grace to forgive everyone for
everything immediately.
Promise: "The Lord continued to work with them throughout and confirm the
message through the signs which accompanied them." —Mk 16:20
Praise: St. Mark was called at a young age to do great things for Christ.
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
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1, 2009 through May 31, 2009
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, October 3, 2008
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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