Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist

“Clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another.” – 1 Peter 5:5

          I was having a haircut when my barber asked me about my view of a certain politician. I told him that I didn’t vote for him because I didn’t like him.

       I didn’t know that someone in the barbershop waiting for his turn heard our conversation. I recognized him as a regular early morning Mass-goer and was an avid supporter of that politician. I was surprised when he butted in on our conversation with an angry comment and started to curse as he defended the politician.

       I immediately apologized for offending him with my comment. He pointed his finger at me and tried to pick a fight. I kept my cool and said, “I’m so sorry, sir, but I don’t want a fight, especially with you because I respect church people.” When he realized that I knew him from church, he slowly lowered his voice and left.

         The King of kings and Lord of all left His throne in heaven to show us what humility is about. He was criticized, mocked, and humiliated for our sake. Humility is setting aside who we are and declaring who God is in our lives. Monty Mendigoria (montymendigoria@yahoo.com)

Reflection:“Humility is the mother of giants. One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak.” (G.K. Chesterton)

Lord, teach us to step down from our pedestals and lead a life of humility and peace.

St. Mark, evangelist, pray for us.

In today’s reading, St. Peter reminds us to be vigilant and resist the devil. Prayer and humility protect us against the works of the devil. No matter how simple it may seem to resist a temptation, we need to treat it with care. A major pattern of sin is only a step away. Jesus already defeated the devil by His resurrection. We do not have to be afraid of the devil, but beware of the insidious way he brings death and sin in our life.

5 Beloved: Clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble. 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. 8 Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your brothers and sisters throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. 10 The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. 11 To him be dominion forever. Amen. 12 I write you this briefly through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Remain firm in it. 13 The chosen one at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son. 14 Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

R: Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

1 [2] The favors of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. 2 [3] For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. (R) 5 [6] The heavens proclaim your wonders, O Lord, and your faithfulness, in the assembly of the holy ones. 6 [7] For who in the skies can rank with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the sons of God? (R) 15 [16] Blessed the people who know the joyful shout; in the light of your countenance, O Lord, they walk. 16 [17] At your name they rejoice all the day, and through your justice they are exalted. (R)

Jesus sends the Apostles to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. The Apostles obeyed His command and went to their respective mission fields – Philip to Egypt, Thomas to India and China, and so on. What does God want you to do in the promotion of the Gospel? He has a plan for each of us. St. Mark, whose feast we celebrate today, wrote one of the Gospels. Are we writing our own gospel about our experience of God in our life?

We proclaim Christ crucified; he is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

15 Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 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.” 19 Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. 20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

think: How would your life be different if Jesus did not rise from the dead?

Read the Bible in one year Numbers 13-15

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

DECEPTION, DIVISION, DIVERSION,

DISCOURAGEMENT

I remember the passage from 1 Peter 5 as it was the text of the reading for Compline on Sunday nights. “Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Since my high school days in minor seminary, the words never fail to strike me every time I hear it read aloud.

        The devil is indeed on the prowl. He is very busy — then and now. The more difficult fact to accept is that he finds welcome entry everywhere, in all possible human arena of activity. He is busy with the young and super busy with the old. He loves angry people. He is happy to see a lot of envy, rancor, unforgiveness and the nursing of grudges.

       I borrowed my title above from Fr. Louis Cameli. The four refer to the ordinary works of the devil — the ever imperceptible ways he and his wiles can gain a foothold everywhere, if we are not sober and vigilant enough. Peter’s letter reminds us not only to be sober and vigilant, but also to “clothe ourselves with humility.” The devil’s downfall happened on account of pride. The devil couldn’t stand being subject to God. That pride led them to rebel.

        We all know what suffering awaits people who are under a narcissistic leader whose only expertise is pinning blame on other people. Everything bad happens because of other people, not him. This is pride at its utmost and highest, and at its worst.

          St. Mark the evangelist was a very young man when he started getting to know the Lord. On account of this, Mark is a perfect example, not of youthful pride and impulsivity, but of youthful humility and obedience.

          The four ordinary works of the devil are very much in operation around us, and the target is the same everywhere: deception, division, diversion, and discouragement.

       This is a good day for us to be reminded: God Himself will “restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you after you have suffered a little.” “Resist him, steadfast in faith.” Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

---------- REFLECTION QUESTION ----------

How has the devil “gained a foothold” in your life? Pray and he will flee from you.

“St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke Him, we humbly pray, and do thou, Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”