Companion of Paul and Barnabas. Author of the second Gospel.
Patron saint of Venice. Died c. 68

Invitation

May I take this opportunity to draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?

This invitation aims to share with you the joy of the Gospel. Everyone, without exception,
can experience that joy by opening their heart
to the healing power of God’s word.

Available every day.

CONSIDERATION

Today we celebrate Saint Mark, author of the oldest and shortest Gospel. Originally from Jerusalem, Mark spent years in Rome, together with Peter and Paul. He accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey. In a sober, almost matter-of-fact style, he wrote down what he knew and heard about Jesus. Through his testimony of faith in Jesus, Mark sought to inspire and encourage Christians of all ages to follow Jesus’ path faithfully, in the face of all criticism and opposition, and to keep their hearts burning for Him. In this oldest Gospel, we come to know Jesus through simple stories, in small, direct scenes. Mark probably died a martyr’s death in Venice.

FIRST READING                 1Pet. 5:5b–14  

Greetings from my son Mark.

From the first letter of Saint Peter the Apostle

Beloved,

Let everyone be guided in their dealings with one another
by humility,
for God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand:
He will lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxieties on Him,
for He cares for you.
Be sober,
be alert!
Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour.
Resist him,
strong in faith.
You know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering.
The God of all grace,
who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ,
He Himself will restore you and strengthen you after a brief time of suffering,
and establish you on a firm foundation.
To him be the power for ever and ever.
Amen.

I regard Silvanus as a faithful brother;
with his help I have written this brief word of encouragement to you.
It is my firm conviction that this is the true grace of God:
Stand firm in it!

Greetings from the sister church in Babylon,
as well as from my son Mark.
Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ!

RESPONSORIAL                       Ps . 89(88), 2-3, 6-7, 16-17

I will sing of your loving kindness, O Lord, for ever.
or: Alleluia.

I will sing of your loving kindness, O Lord,
and proclaim your faithfulness to every generation.
You have said: ‘My loving kindness shall endure for ever;
the heavens are the foundation of my faithfulness.’

The heavens praise your mighty deeds, O Lord,
the heavenly hosts your faithfulness.
For who in the heights is like the Lord?
Who is like him among the sons of the gods?

Blessed is the people who know what joy is,
for they live, Lord, in the light of your countenance.
Day by day they trust in your Name,
they find their strength in your righteousness.

ALLELUIA                      1 Cor. 1:23-24

Alleluia.
We proclaim a crucified Christ,
God’s power and God’s wisdom.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL                          Mk. 16:15-20

Proclaim the Gospel to all creation.

From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Mark

At that time, Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said:
“Go out into the whole world
and preach the Gospel to all creation.
“Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved,
but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
“And these signs will accompany those who believe:
In my name they will drive out demons,
speak in new tongues,
pick up snakes;
even if they drink deadly poison, it will not harm them;
and when they lay their hands on the sick,
they will be healed.”
After the Lord Jesus had spoken thus to them,
He was taken up into heaven
and He sits at the right hand of God.
But they went out to preach everywhere,
and the Lord worked with them
and gave power to their words
through the signs that accompanied them.

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