CLOTHE YOURSELF IN HUMILITY AS YOU FOLLOW JESUS

⏰Feast of St. Mark (25 April 2018)

📕1 Pet 5:5b-14; Ps 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17 (R.v.2a); Mark 16:15-20

Today, in the Catholic Church, we celebrate the Feast Day of St Mark, the evangelist. St Peter describes him as son (1Peter 5:13). And he is equally described as a companion to Paul and Barnabas.

The Gospel of St. Mark, which bears his name tries to reveal the identity of Jesus to a community that was undergoing some difficulties in professing their faith. It invites them into a discipleship that embraces the reality of suffering and the cross (cf. Mark 8:34).

Of course, no one can truly embrace the discipleship with the cross, a sign of shame, without humility. Hence, through this celebration, we are encouraged to reflect on the virtue of humility.

Jesus said to his disciples, as he equally tells us, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). But we must not go naked. No! We have to clothe ourselves with humility towards others (cf. 1 Pet 5:5).

The fact that we have no power of our own but can only do all things in the name of Christ (cf. Mark 16:17-18; Phil 4:13) must compel us to that humility.

By the way, humility attracts everything. Remember the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven… Blessed are the humble, they shall inherit the earth (Matt 5:3, 4).

My dear, it pays to be humble, PRIDE smells. And may God grant us the grace to follow with a humble heart at all times not minding our position and achievements in life. Amen.

Have an exciting day conscious of being humble in the presence of God. Peace be with you.