April 25 2024: Bible Verse of the Day – Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist – Mark 16:15-20
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.” – Mark 16:15-20
Catholic Readings For Today
Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist
Today’s Bible Verse of the Day Reflections
Was Jesus being literal when He said this? Absolutely. Throughout the course of the Church’s history, we’ve witnessed significant miracles and extraordinary deeds accomplished by His devotees in His name, as God deemed fit in various circumstances and locations. Therefore, it’s clear that He meant what He said.
However, we shouldn’t overlook another layer of interpretation. Although not everyone who has faith will literally follow this, they will embrace it on a more profound and spiritual level.
Jesus makes four fundamental pledges in this regard. Firstly, those who have faith will triumph over the evil one.
Secondly, they will communicate in a new way. Thirdly, they will confront worldly hazards and be safeguarded. Lastly, they will become a source of healing for others.
Firstly, it’s crucial to understand that the evil one is a genuine entity who constantly attempts to intimidate and overpower us.
However, in analogy, the evil one is comparable to a three-pound dog that barks viciously and annoyingly but has little bite.
Although the “barking” can be scary on occasion, the strength of Christ is akin to a steel-toed boot that can effortlessly handle this threat.
The second promise is that we are summoned to “speak new languages,” which implies that we must convey the words and truth of God in a manner that surpasses our natural capabilities.
We are expected to communicate and speak in God’s language and to be His voice for a world in need.
The third promise Jesus made is that we will face various challenges and dangers in this life, not just from the evil one but also from the world and our own struggles.
However, Jesus assures us that we will receive the necessary grace to overcome them if we allow Him to help us.
Finally, Jesus’ mission was to bring healing, particularly to our souls, and he desires us to become channels of healing for those we interact with daily.
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Mark, who was a powerful proclaimer of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Let us take a moment to consider that each one of us is also called to share in this mission of spreading the Gospel.
As we reflect on the four promises of Jesus, we should carefully consider our own calling in life. If one of these promises speaks to us in a special way, we should listen carefully, for it may be God calling us to a deeper participation in His divine mission.
Let us Pray: My Lord, I wholeheartedly believe and choose to be an instrument for Your grace. May the faith You have instilled in me also be a means of grace for a world that requires it. Jesus, I love You. Amen.
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