“To say you are a Christian while not living like one does not show people the real treasure of the faith – which we have the obligation to share. Faith is either missionary or it is not faith. ‘Not living the Gospel’ convinces no one.” Pope Francis
April 25 marks the Feast of St. Mark. When such a celebration falls on a Sunday, the Sunday celebration (because it is “the Day of the Lord,”) takes precedent.
The Gospel of St. Mark reminds us repeatedly that sharing the faith is not principally giving the best argument or saying the perfect thing to convince someone, but (as the Holy Father says) “offering a treasure.” Jesus’ command to His first followers remains in effect: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Our own experience affirms that faith always leads us out of ourselves. The constant invitation from the Gospel is: “Go, let people see how you live.” As the old hymn says, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” If you have never done it, read the Gospel of St. Mark today! If you have done it before, give it another try. It is not long and it is a pleasure to read the simplicity with which St. Mark recounts the life of Jesus. You may even find this is an “amazing” experience!
Let us pray. “O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist, and endowed him with the grace to proclaim the Gospel with great love and simplicity, grant, we pray, that we may so profit from his teaching as to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ. Who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
