Failure does not exclude anyone from holiness. The Acts of the Apostles
records the story of the young man Mark who accompanied Paul on his
first missionary journey and then pulled out of it, causing a rift between
Paul and Barnabas. By the grace of God, however, this temporary failure
did not exclude Mark from further great work in the Church including
the writing of the first Gospel, thus establishing a pattern for Matthew,
Luke and even John to follow.
In some of his letters, Paul mentions someone called Mark, whom we take
as referring to the same person we know as St Mark. But perhaps the
reference to "Mark, my son" in the First Letter of Peter is the one that
has endeared itself to the Church. This reference fits in with other
traditions that Mark was an assistant to Peter in his missionary work in
Rome, referred to here by the early Church codename "Babylon".
As all the stories of the Saints inspire us, let us be inspired today
by St Mark. Many failures and setbacks in our life are only temporary.
With God's grace we can always return to the work of the Gospel.
Lord, when we fail, help us to return to You. Grant us the grace to
progress in the way of the Gospel.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings.
Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage
discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That consecrated people, answering the call of their
particular vocation, may radiate the spirit of the Gospel beatitudes in the
present-day world
Elaboration
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