The Hands of Hope

Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
“Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them,
was taken up into heaven
and took his seat at the right hand of God.
But they went forth and preached everywhere,
while the Lord worked with them
and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
Mark 16:15-20

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father your Son Jesus whom we love gave the disciples the Word to go out and proclaim the Gospel to every nation. It has been accomplished to the degree that it is around the world. Granted there are many places that still do not know of your Word, but after two thousand years plus, the disciples ministry has flourished. They do so much for your flock dear Father, many use their hands to bring healing to others by helping them when they are unable to do so themselves, as well as laying hands on those entering the Priestly Order. We are all called to be the hands of hope for others, giving signs of our belief. It is through those who believe that Jesus works through them. Faith and belief are the keys, how strong is ours that we are signs for others to see.