Gospel: Mark 16:15-20
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:
‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for Sonny Sweeney RIP.
Reflection:
St Patrick was a native of Roman Britain. At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave. He later escaped back to his family. Strangely, he had a calling to be a missionary to the Irish. It was said that Patrick did not care that much for his faith, until he was abducted. It seems that his slavery experience freed him from being lukewarm to being fervent in his faith. After studying for and ordained to the priesthood, he went back to Ireland, not as a slave, but as a servant.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus commands His apostles to ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation’. The Gospel must be preached to everyone, without any exception. It must be proclaimed to all, regardless of if they would accept or reject its message. St Patrick could have chosen the easier and more comfortable option of staying at home, but he felt the Lord telling him to come back to Ireland, not to take revenge, but to bring healing. Surely, St Patrick took notice of how the apostles took Jesus’ command to heart, facing persecution and even giving up their lives. St Patrick was inspired by Jesus’ unconditional love for everyone which moved Him to suffer and die on the Cross to reconcile us with the Father.
- How do you return the harm that others have done to you?
- How do you proclaim the Gospel to others?
- How can your trials make you a better person?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Through the prayers and example of St Patrick, be with us, within us, behind us, and beside us in our Lenten journey. Amen.
Suggested Lenten penance: Do something kind for someone you love.
(Pietro)
