HOMILY FOR THURSDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER (2)

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER

HOMILY THEME: Be Humble, Worry Less, Preach the Gospel.

BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu

HOMILY: “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, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18)

Today is the Feast day of St. Mark. One thing that stands out about this great man was that he was a close assistant of St. Peter. He not only accompanied Peter in his missionary journeys, but he was also his secretary. St. Mark, being learned was the first person to write down the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This Gospel was basically what he heard from St. Peter whenever they went on missionary outreaches.

It is not surprising that today’s first reading comes from a selection of the first letter of Peter where he even refers to Mark as a son. In the same letter, we find some of the best advice for the Christian life which Peter must have taught Mark:

One; Humility. Never assume you are better than anyone else. You are only different.

Secondly; Worry Less. St. Peter says: “Cast your anxieties on God for he cares about you.” Trust that God knows and for God nothing is impossible.

Thirdly; St. Peter says: Be on Guard; be sober (opposite of drunkenness) and watchful. Stand up against the devil. Resist him, firm in your faith. Do not fall asleep in your spiritual life.

The life of Mark teaches us the virtue of humility in service. Mark served Peter as a son would serve his father. This is unlike many of us today who soon grow tired of answering: “yes sir, yes sir.” We want to be served but we find it difficult to serve.

Another lesson we learn from Mark is that he was quick to commit the Gospel he heard to writing. Start keeping a journal today. God speaks to your heart daily and you often assume these to be mere thoughts. Don’t let them slip away, write them down. It may be beneficial to someone else.

Above all, let us be humble, cast our worries to God, be vigilant in prayers and continue to spread the Gospel message. Today, we read the concluding part of Mark’s Gospel which particularly emphasizes the fact that God worked with the Apostles confirming the message they preached with signs and wonders. Ours is to obey the command of Jesus: “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel,” while God does the confirmation with signs and wonders.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, use me like St. Mark in any way possible to spread the Gospel. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Feast of St. Mark. Bible Study: 1st Peter 5:5-14, Psalm 89 and Mark 16:15-20).