THE WORD
1 Pt 5,5-14 / Mk 16,15-20
Jesus appeared 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 signs that accompanied it.
IN OTHER WORDS
On today’s feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist we reflect on the sacred author’s account of the “Great Commission.” When a person is about to die or embark on a long journey with no definite date of return, he/she usually leaves with trusted ones important tasks to be carried out in his/her absence. At the same time he/she assures them of support and “presence in spirit,” as well as the resources for the entrusted tasks.
In the gospel Jesus is commissioning His followers to spread the gospel and baptize believers. Though not physically present, Jesus manifests His abiding presence by enabling His followers with His own power to accomplish their mission. Then Jesus ascends to heaven as the mighty conqueror of sin and death, from where He will return in glory for the nal judgment day.
As we reflect on the gospel, we know that Jesus entrusts to us the very same commission He gave His disciples. We are to go forth and make Jesus and His gospel known to everyone. While this might seem a daunting task, we need not be afraid. We can start by being “living gospels” at home, at work, in fact wherever we are or whenever the opportunity presents itself to proclaim the good news to others through our renewed life in Christ.
Christianity is spread neither by keeping silent about it, nor by keeping it a closely guarded secret.
Rather it spreads when we communicate it personally by word and deed, and make good use of the means at our disposal like digital/cyber means of social communication. In this way we can be sure that Christ’s commission is being carried out, day-in, day-out, for the greater glory of God and the spread of His kingdom.
Jesus appeared 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 signs that accompanied it.
- Fr. Lino Evora Nicasio, SVD | National Shrine of Saint Jude Thaddeus, Manila
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
