They went forth and preached everywhere


REFLECTIONS TODAY

In our busyness at building our lives, rearing a family, earning a living, we may forget that beyond building our human lives, we are also disciples of Jesus who, like the disciples at the end of Mark’s Gospel, are commissioned to go forth and imitate their Lord and Master, preaching and performing signs in his power. Our membership in the Church reminds us of this fact. In the Church—if we are active participants in it—we receive our mission to help build our Christian community. We contribute our various charisms or gifts, like healing, preaching, prophesying, teaching, etc. Some are called to go to distant lands to bring the Lord’s message. But sad to say, many still live as individuals who think that building a secure family and going to Sunday Masses regularly are enough to be a good Christian. Admittedly, such efforts are laudable and not all are able to do them. Yet, if we take seriously our Lord’s commission, we realize that we need to expand our horizons in terms of apostolic involvement.

Gospel • Mk 16:15-20

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.