Word to the Wise
Monday, April 25, 2022 - April 25 - St. Mark, evangelist
[1 Pet 5:5b-14 and Mark 16:15-20]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. [Mark]
The Gospel According to Mark is the earliest and shortest of the four gospels, which may account for the two different "appendices" that were tacked on at a later time, but accepted by the Council of Trent (1545-1561) as inspired scripture. Scripture scholars believe these additions were written because the main body of the gospel comes to an abrupt end with the women leaving the empty tomb "seized with trembling and bewilderment. They said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid." Thus, some author added material about the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus and the subsequent preaching of the disciples which shows the influence of traditions that appear in Luke 24 and John 20.
As someone who was in full time itinerant preaching (2009-2019), I am struck by the last line in the gospel passage today: "But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs." I can't say that I drove out demons or handled snakes or drank poison without ill effect. And new languages depend for me on Duolingo! But I do believe that the Lord worked with me, from comments I would hear from those attended retreats or parish missions that I preached. I would encourage others to make the effort to share their faith with the confidence that the Lord will work with and through you! AMEN