ST. MARK EVANGELIST - 2024

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

We are preaching a crucified Christ,
who is the power and the wisdom of God. 1 COR 1: 23-24

1 PETER 5:5-14 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

We sin because we lack humility. We are proud and self-willed demanding to be served rather than to serve and spend our lives in service to others. We are disobedient to Your call to service and we ignore the fact that we are not greater than the Master who came to serve and to give Your life as a ransom for many.

Nothing is more abhorrent in the sight of God than the proud, those full of vain glory, those who trumpet their good works before them. Those who serve to be seen and to be praised by people. It is the little ones, the ones who live lives hidden in You, going about their lives and doing all that needs to be done in secret, lovingly, humbly glad only to spend their lives for those who are dependent on them. Those who lean on You and trust You to supply all they need and are content in being of service to others are the ones whom You fill with grace and peace. 

True joy, the kind of joy that the world cannot take away comes from knowing that we are doing what we must do Your will without complaining, without being resentful. The evangelist reminds us that the devil never sleeps, the moment we let our guard down he strikes. Through the day, Lord, keep us aware of Your Presence in us and around us. May we lean on You and make all our worries and troubles known to You trusting that You will supply all we need, always. Let us flee from temptation and never engage with Satan but turn resolutely away from him and run to You and Your Mother - our refuge and our hope. 

Thank You for the Sacraments You instituted, Beloved, may we frequent the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist so we may always be filled with the strength that comes from Your Holy Spirit. May our lives be a powerful witness to the Gospel, the Good News that saves as we shine Your light on a world that is growing increasingly dark and ugly.

PSALM 88(89):2-3,6-7,16-17 ©

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,
that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

The heavens proclaim your wonders, O Lord;
the assembly of your holy ones proclaims your truth.
For who in the skies can compare with the Lord
or who is like the Lord among the sons of God?

Happy the people who acclaim such a king,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
who find their joy every day in your name,
who make your justice the source of their bliss.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

MARK 16:15-20 ©

My soul’s beloved, this is what You did as well when You walked on earth as a Man. You confirmed the message with signs and this is what You assure us too. But are we bold enough to take You at Your Word? My own faith is a poor, small, weak thing and needs to be propped up constantly by Your promises of love for me and Your faithfulness to all Your promises. Morning after morning You speak to me and tell me how much You love and care for me and yet at the first sign of difficulty I become troubled.

Grant me a robust faith Lord. A faith that takes You at Your Word and steps out boldly to speak in Your Name and to proclaim the Good News. What good does it do to anyone if I hide it under a bushel – my faith like a light must be held aloft so all who see by its light will come to believe that You are the Son of God who takes away the sins of the world as the Lamb of Sacrifice.

Grant me the courage to take You at Your Word confident that as You have said so it will be.