GREET ONE ANOTHER AND PEACE
TO ALL WHO ARE IN CHRIST
TO ALL WHO ARE IN CHRIST
"Sacred Scripture warns us that our hearts can become hardened by a
sort of 'spiritual anesthesia' which numbs us to the suffering of others." (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI)
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
Today, the Church
honors Saint Mark. He accompanied both St. Paul and St. Peter on their
missionary journeys. The Gospel attributed to him shows signs of having been
written for a Roman audience, for he was St. Peter's secretary in Rome. Peter
closes his first Epistle with a reference to "Mark, my son." It is
entirely appropriate, therefore, to read from this first reading on the Feast
of St. Mark, as it falls within the joyful season of Easter. This Letter
provides us with a treasure of thoughts about baptism, emphasizing how central
it was to the worship of the early Church and continues to be so today,
especially in the Holy Liturgy.
In many Churches in
the East and West, Mark is honored on this day. Each of the four Gospel
accounts gives us a portrait of Jesus Christ, His life, mission, and teaching.
The Gospels each different in style, all have a common thread and purpose - the
proclamation of the Good News of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Among the four
Gospel accounts, Mark's is the shortest account and seems to be the earliest.
In addition, Mark and Luke were chosen by the Holy Spirit to write their Gospel
accounts even though they were not part of the original twelve Apostles.
Today's
Responsorial Psalm focuses on the wonders of the Lord through all generations:
"For You have said, 'My kindness is established forever'; in heaven You
have confirmed Your faithfulness" (Ps 89:3).
Pope Emeritus
Benedict XVI message for Lent a couple of years ago reflects today's readings:
"'Being concerned for each other' also entails being concerned for their
spiritual well-being. Here I would like to mention an aspect of the Christian
life, which I believe has been quite forgotten: fraternal correction in view of
eternal salvation. Today, in general, we are very sensitive to the idea of
charity and caring about the physical and material well-being of others, but
almost completely silent about our spiritual responsibility towards our
brothers and sisters... Sacred Scripture warns us that our hearts can become
hardened by a sort of 'spiritual anesthesia' which numbs us to the suffering of
others."