Saint Mark, Evangelist - Feast

It is easy for some of us to be taken in by the ways of the world, especially where fame and recognition is concerned. Some of us want to be known or recognised for what we have done, and sometimes we could go through great lengths to protect what we think is rightfully our intellectual property. Even in universities, we are reminded not to plagiarise but to acknowledge the work of others by giving credit where it is due. Of course, it is right to do such things, since by doing so we are promoting healthy research and scholarship, improving on the work of others while thanking them for what has been done; but are we allowing ourselves to become proud and conceited, as a result of such fame and recognition? Are we focusing only on what we have achieved, thinking that we attained such achievements solely through our own effort?

In today's reading, we are reminded: "All wrap yourselves in humility to be servants of each other, because God refuses the proud and will always favour the humble." When we remain humble even though we have achieved much, we are actually giving credit to God for helping us come to where we are today. We are also acknowledging that all that we have, all that we have achieved, are gifts from His bounty, and we continue to depend on Him for help and guidance. May we not become so proud and conceited into thinking that we can do without God, and continue to serve with humility and joy, for His greater glory.

Saint Mark, Evangelist - Feast

What does it mean to proclaim the Good News to all creation? Some people think that to do so, they need to go to remote places in some unexplored territory and proclaim the Good News to the natives there. Some people seem to think that proclaiming the Good News means reaching out to people who have not become Christians. But are these what proclaiming the Good News to all creation is all about?

If we consider Jesus' command in today's Gospel: "Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation." What is Jesus trying to tell us here? Jesus is telling us that our task in proclaiming the Good News is not something which we do according to our own talent or abilities, but by "the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it." This means that our task can only be fruitful if we allow the Lord to work with us and we submit to His care and guide. May we be humble and joyful in our efforts in proclaiming the Good News, treating it as a joy and privilege for His glory.