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Minute Meditations
St. Mark Most of what we know about Mark comes directly from the New Testament. He is usually identified with the Mark of Acts 12:12. (When Peter escaped from prison, he went to the home of Mark's mother.) Paul and Barnabas took him along on the first missionary journey, but for some reason Mark returned alone to Jerusalem. It is evident, from Paul's refusal to let Mark accompany him on the second journey despite Barnabas's insistence, that Mark had displeased Paul. Because Paul later asks Mark to visit him in prison, we may assume the trouble did not last long.
The oldest and the shortest of the four Gospels, the Gospel of Mark emphasizes Jesus' rejection by humanity while being God's triumphant envoy. Probably written for Gentile converts in Rome—after the death of Peter and Paul sometime between A.D. 60 and 70—Mark's Gospel is the gradual manifestation of a "scandal": a crucified Messiah.
Evidently a friend of Mark (Peter called him "my son"), Peter is only one of the Gospel sources, others being the Church in Jerusalem (Jewish roots) and the Church at Antioch (largely Gentile). Like one other Gospel writer, Luke, Mark was not one of the 12 apostles. We cannot be certain whether he knew Jesus personally. Some scholars feel that the evangelist is speaking of himself when describing the arrest of Jesus in Gethsemane: "Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. They seized him, but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked" (Mark 14:51-52).
Others hold Mark to be the first bishop of Alexandria, Egypt. Venice, famous for the Piazza San Marco, claims Mark as its patron saint; the large basilica there is believed to contain his remains.
A winged lion is Mark's symbol. The lion derives from Mark's description of John the Baptist as a "voice of one crying out in the desert" (Mark 1:3), which artists compared to a roaring lion. The wings come from the application of Ezekiel's vision of four winged creatures (Ezekiel, chapter one) to the evangelists. Comment: Mark fulfilled in his life what every Christian is called to do: proclaim to all people the Good News that is the source of salvation. In particular, Mark's way was by writing. Others may proclaim the Good News by music, drama, poetry or by teaching children around a family table. Quote: There is very little in Mark that is not in the other Gospels—only four passages. One is: "...This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come" (Mark 4:26-29).
Patron Saint of: Notaries
Reading 1 acts 4:1-12After the crippled man had been cured, while Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them, disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They laid hands on Peter and John and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word came to believe and the number of men grew to about five thousand. On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes were assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly class. They brought them into their presence and questioned them, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them, "Leaders of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved." Responsorial Psalm ps 118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27aR. (22) The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. or: R. Alleluia. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Let the house of Israel say, "His mercy endures forever." Let those who fear the LORD say, "His mercy endures forever." R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. or: R. Alleluia. The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. or: R. Alleluia. O LORD, grant salvation! O LORD, grant prosperity! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD; we bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and he has given us light. R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. or: R. Alleluia. Gospel jn 21:1-14Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We also will come with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?" They answered him, "No." So he said to them, "Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something." So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you just caught." So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast." And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead. Meditation: Acts 4:1-12Subscriber? Login to view archives. Friday within the Octave of Easter In his name this man stands before you healed. (Acts 4:10)
Set aside for a minute Peter and John's arrest and their night in custody. Ignore the leaders' and elders' indignation and the bystanders' wonder and amazement. Consider instead the beggar who was healed. Everyone recognized this man. He routinely begged for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. For his whole life, he was utterly dependent on other people to get around, to be fed, to be clothed and cared for. All he hoped for from Peter and John was a few coins, a little food, or a cast-off piece of clothing. What this fellow received was not just a physical healing but a whole new life. No longer bound by his disability, he could move on his own. He was no longer powerless or weak, no longer unable to make his way in life. Delivered from hopelessness, he could now rise out of his poverty. Freedom, choices, relief from want and pain—he received so much more than he had asked for or, most likely, so much more than he had imagined he would ever experience. The same is true for you! Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, a whole new life is now open to you. You can be set free from handicaps of bitterness and resentment. The fears and anxieties and misgivings that preoccupy you don't have to bind you or paralyze you anymore. You no longer have to feel powerless in the face of anger or addictions or lust. In the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified, whom God raised from the dead, you can be healed! Christ lives in you. His grace can empower you to resist temptation and be set free from anything that hampers you from feeling his Spirit. Call out to him, just as the beggar called out to Peter and John for alms. Believe that Jesus is standing right in front of you, offering you not silver and gold but the riches of love and joy, patience and self-control. Tell yourself that you belong to Christ and that he wants to set you free. Confess your insufficiency to him, and watch closely to see how he answers you. And then, just as the beggar did, praise him for his goodness to you! "Jesus, in you alone am I saved. Help me to live a new life, unbound by my sins and weaknesses."
Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27; John 21:1-14 my2cents: The spanish reflection ended today with: "He did not wait for the apostles to arrive and prepare Him a breakfast. He already had it prepared, and on a good fire, so they could rest from their fishing journey, of a laborous night. Jesus continues being, even though resurrected, the example to all of us of humility and service. He reserves for the other stage of the Kingdom, when it is initated on the last day, the moment in which He makes manifest His greatness and His Glory. Mathew 25:31 "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves."Mathew 11:29 God takes care of His elect, His children. We are His and His we wish to be. The disciples not sure what to do after the death of our Lord, took to what they knew...fishing. Yet Jesus appears to them and I am more than sure, reminds them what they ought to be fising for...the salvation to be brought to the world, being fishers of men, all mankind. They didn't dare ask "who are you", because they knew in their hearts now who He was, the provider, the Master, the Teacher, the King, the Lord of Lords...God HimSELF. Yet He appears as an unknown man. This is the reason the "architects" rejected Him, because they supposedly knew the man, but did not Know the Man, the Son of God, son of Man. And this is the danger we live in today, to "suppose" we know God, and to "suppose" we know others. The Cursillo brings about the knowledge of self, God, and the others. Once you know the glances, you begin to know what the 4th day entails after the 3 day cursillo. That is why I've titled my website "Going4th". That is why I developed the "4thday" app for android phones and working on the iphone app as we speak. I shared it with home security installers last night, one being a Mormon, and shared some music CD's I recorded of myself singing to the Lord which can be heard at going4th.com. This is not to boast of self, but to serve of self. I serve because Jesus serves. I serve because God serves. Anything that is not good in me, is not of God. Therefore, more of God is needed in me. What's more, God is revealed in service. Whether it be Mother Teresa or yourself serving the homeless, the poorest of the poor, you see Jesus in the midst, because His Spirit is more alive than anything you ever give spirit to. Sometimes God will take you somewhere for nothing, as we "suppose". The other day, my only friend in friendship group had to cancel. I went to other cursillistas' house, my baby sister and husband, only because as I was driving I heard a voice to tell me to go. I arrived, only to find out they were not there. Was it foolishness? Was I hearing things? Why did the Lord tell me to do THAT? Fishing empty sides. The matter of fact is revealed in today's Holy Gospel. The matter is as the apostles, the disciples did upon hearing the voice of the Lord...obey. Tests of God and commands of God are these. You need not worry about all your failures, but about your obedience. You who look back while plowing are not fit for the Kingdom. You have to keep looking ahead, and ahead is the Sun and behind you is darkness, only all for Him to make grow as He sees fit. It is Friday, but Sunday is coming. We will toil, and arrive in places at times where nobody will be there to welcome us, much like the Apostles in today's 1st Holy Scripture. They laid hands on them to put them in jail. It's Friday, but Sunday is coming. In jail, and alone, many times Jesus comes in and frees with angels the very disciples of Christ. I want you to know, that what is transpiring is nothing short of inspiring. What God has cooking for us is eternal...He awaits on the other side and is calling on us today  adrian
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Going4th,
