Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Jesus … said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” 

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 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.

 

Today’s Gospel reading comes from the very end of the Gospel of Mark.  This passage is referred to as the Long Ending because it is believed that it was added later to complete the story of Christ.  It tells us about the last moments of Christ on Earth before he ascends into heaven.  Before Christ departs this world, he provides instructions for his disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole of creation.”  This becomes a the final commandment given to his Apostles and becomes the foundation of their mission on Earth.  Christ tells us that “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.”  Christ is telling us that there is power in belief.  He tells us that if we truly believe we will be able to cast out demons, speak in new tongues, pick up serpents and drink deadly things without being hurt.  He also tells us that we will be able to lay hands on the sick and make them better.  He is telling us that our belief should lead us into service for the Gospel.  That if we believe, then we have an obligation to do good works in the name of Christ.  Those good works are a confirmation of our belief and our strengthened by our participation in the Sacraments and everything that is God.  Jesus’ ascension into Heaven marked a new beginning; a new gift given to man through God; a new evangelization for man to go out and care for the whole world.  This last passage of Mark is very simple, very short and very full of hope.  This one passage described the whole of Christ’s mission on earth; to save man from his sins and to free him from the afflictions which separate him from God.  The passage tells us that while Jesus ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God, he still “worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.”  In other words, Jesus is still active on the world through the Holy Spirit.  His love is continually poured out upon us and upon this world.  We continue to see the signs today.  Through the power of prayer, people are healed and miracles continue to happen.  Jesus continues to reach down to earth to set us free from the bondage of sins.  In our actions and our works, we bring the light of Christ forward to others.  The Holy Spirit working iin us and through us is the evangelization we are called to do through our baptism. 

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, through the gift of the Holy Spirit,

You fill me with an unending spirit of praise and joy.

May I be a witness to those around me of the gospel

and the reality of your resurrection.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon