Celebrating the feast of St Mark

Today in Aotearoa we celebrate the feast of St Mark transferred from yesterday when we remembered Anzac Day with its special mass. It is now generally considered that Mark's was the first gospel to be written about 65-70 AD. Mark invented a new form of writing. A gospel is much nore that a historical study or a biography. It is a proclamation of the Good News which the life and teaching of Jesus brings to us. It is a faith document that calls it's readers to respond in faith. So how will we respond to today's gospel taken from Mark 16:15-20? Before his ascension, Jesus gives his final instructions to the Eleven. They are to go out to proclaim the Good News to all, leading to belief and baptism. So our first response will be of gratitude that they carried out their vocation so completely that we have all heard that Good News and are living according to it today. Secondly, Mark reminds us that the signs for the apostles apply to all believers. We are all called to receive the ''gift of tongues,'' to speak the new language of Jesus of love, kindness and hope. I was protected from poisonous snakes many times in Brazil but Mark's snakes could refer to all the dangers that we face in life and are protected from. Visiting the sick is a work of mercy for all of us. After these instructions Jesus was taken up into heaven. Now in the Spirit he is able to be present to each of us at all times. May our quiet and reflective reading of Mark's gospel be a means of making our hearts burn with the joy of the Good News.