Memorial of Saint Mark. He shared the responsibility of preaching the Gospel with Barnabas and Paul and then with Peter. He is the author of the first written Gospel. Lees meer
Memorial of Saint Mark. He shared the responsibility of preaching the Gospel with Barnabas and Paul and then with Peter. He is the author of the first written Gospel.
Reading of the Word of God
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Christ is risen from the dead
and will die no more.
He awaits us in Galilee!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
1 Peter 5,5-14
In the same way, younger people, be subject to the elders. Humility towards one another must be the garment you all wear constantly, because God opposes the proud but accords his favour to the humble. Bow down, then, before the power of God now, so that he may raise you up in due time; unload all your burden on to him, since he is concerned about you. Keep sober and alert, because your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that it is the same kind of suffering that the community of your brothers throughout the world is undergoing. You will have to suffer only for a little while: the God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ will restore you, he will confirm, strengthen and support you. His power lasts for ever and ever. Amen. I write these few words to you through Silvanus, who is a trustworthy brother, to encourage you and attest that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! Your sister in Babylon, who is with you among the chosen, sends you greetings; so does my son, Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Christ is risen from the dead
and will die no more.
He awaits us in Galilee!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
As a young man, Mark, Barnabas' cousin, frequented his mother's home, where Jesus' community of disciples gathered, as recorded in Acts (12:12). Ancient Christian tradition identifies Mark as the young man who during Jesus' passion fled capture, slipping out of the linen that covered him and leaving it in the guards' hands as a reminder that we need to strip ourselves of everything to follow Jesus. Grown up, he accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Later he went with Peter to Rome. Then, consenting to the numerous requests from the Christian community that relished the profundity and beauty of the preaching of the apostle, Mark wrote the Gospel that bears his name. His is the first written Gospel which records Peter's preaching in the empire's capital. At the conclusion of the First Letter of Peter, Mark joins the apostle in Babylon-the name used to describe Rome, alluding to the difficult situation the Christians found themselves in, similar to the suffering of Israel in Babylonian captivity. The last chapter of the First Letter of Peter is full of concern and affection for Mark who he calls "my son." In addition to Mark, he addresses Christians at the end of his letter and speaks to them about the humility to which all are called and to help the elders in service to the community. He urges everyone to be humble first of all before God and also before one another. Humility renders Christians similar to Jesus who is of service to all. The image the apostle employs is beautiful: put on the cloth of humility in mutual service to others. Perhaps the apostle is remembering the washing of the feet at the Last Supper. He certainly was remembering the master's admonition after the noisy protests from the disciples: "Unless I wash your feet, you have no share with me" (Jn 13:8). Humility is the behaviour that characterizes the disciple and what saves him from pride, which is at the root of all vices. The adversary (the devil), already present in the earthly garden, through pride continues to cajole and tempt every person in order to turn them into his slave. The apostle urges us to resist him because he is bent on destroying us and devouring us in his voracious and insatiable grip. The apostle adds that in faith we are able to defeat him even if he seems strong. The apostle Peter, concluding his letter, opens up to the future that awaits the disciples: "After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you." Yes, "steadfast" on the rock that is Christ, the disciples from now on can live in the future state of being risen. Mark, the "interpreter of Peter" with his Gospel, helps us to immerse ourselves in the faith of the apostle whom the Lord placed at the head of his Church.
Het gebed is het hart van het leven van de Gemeenschap van Sant’Egidio. Het is haar eerste “werk”. Aan het einde van de dag komt elke Gemeenschap, of die nu klein of groot is, samen bij de Heer om het Woord te beluisteren en zich tot Hem te richten in het gebed. De leerlingen kunnen niet anders dan aan de voeten van Jezus zitten, zoals Maria van Bethanië, om het “betere deel” te kiezen (Lc 10, 42) en van Hem zijn gezindheid te leren (vgl. Fil 2, 5).
Elke keer dat de Gemeenschap zich tot de Heer richt, maakt ze zich die vraag eigen van de anonieme leerling: “Heer, leer ons bidden!” (Lc 11, 1). En Jezus, meester in het gebed, antwoordt: “Wanneer jullie bidden, zeg dan: Abba, Vader”.
Wanneer we bidden, ook in de geslotenheid van ons eigen hart, zijn we nooit alleen of verweesd. Integendeel, we zijn leden van de familie van de Heer. In het gemeenschappelijk gebed wordt naast het mysterie van het kindschap, ook dat van de broederschap en zusterschap duidelijk.
De Gemeenschappen van Sant’Egidio, verspreid over de wereld, verzamelen zich op de verschillende plaatsen die gekozen zijn voor het gebed en brengen de hoop en het verdriet van de “uitgeputte en hulpeloze mensenmenigte” waarover het Evangelie spreekt (Mt 9, 37) bij de Heer. Deze oude menigte omvat de inwoners van onze hedendaagse steden, de armen die zich bevinden in de marge van het leven, en iedereen die wacht om als dagloner te worden aangenomen (vgl. Mt 20).
Het gemeenschappelijk gebed verzamelt de schreeuw, de hoop, het verlangen naar vrede, genezing, zin en redding, die beleefd worden door de mannen en vrouwen van deze wereld. Het gebed is nooit leeg. Het stijgt onophoudelijk op naar de Heer opdat verdriet verandert in vreugde, wanhoop in blijheid, angst in hoop, eenzaamheid in gemeenschap. En het rijk Gods zal spoedig temidden van de mensen komen.
