Fourth Week of Easter
25th April 2024 (Thursday)
Psalter: Week 4
Reading of the Day
First Reading: 1 Peter 5:5b-14
Beloved: Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility towards one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time he may exalt you. Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does Mark, my son. Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Psalm 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17 (R. See 2a)
R/. I will sing forever of your mercies, O Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. We preach Christ crucified; the power of God and the wisdom of God
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : Mark 16:15-20
At that time: [Appearing to Eleven,] Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Thursday – Fourth Week of Easter
Guidelines: Those who are touched by the power of the risen Lord will be led by the light of his Spirit and spread the same light and power to others in word and deed
1. Today on 25 April we celebrate the feast of St Mark. He is one of the four evangelists. He was a close associate of Peter. He acted as Peter’s scribe and recorded his teaching and preaching in his gospel. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on a missionary journey. Though not a direct disciple of Jesus, surely he knew Jesus and all the more confirmed by Peter.
2. He worked for the spread of the faith. He is known to have founded the church at Alexandria. He was martyred by pagans who tied a rope around his neck and dragged him through the streets until he died.
3. Mark’s gospel forms the basis for both Matthew and Luke. He is not concerned about the details but centres on one’s personal choice to act. “Immediately” is a frequent characteristic expression in Mark. This is not a mere technical expression. Rather it shows the sense of urgency of the mission. In the mission of the Lord, there is no time to waste. There must be “haste and promptness”.
4. Mark presents Jesus as the “Lion of Judah”. This is in contrast to the devil, the “roaring lion” in the first reading from 1 Peter. The first lion rescues and saves from harm and death. The second lion devours and destroys. The purpose of Mark’s gospel is exactly the purpose of God’s call, stated in the first reading. It is to “restore, confirm, strengthen in faith and establish us in eternal glory”.
Practice: We are commissioned with the Lord’s own mission. We are empowered by his own power to accomplish this mission
