St. Mark, April 25

Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.--Psalm 89:2

Mass readings: 1 Peter 5:5-14 / Mark 16:15-20

Catching Fire

Some years ago I saw a one-man play of the Gospel of Mark. The actor walked onto the bare stage in shirtsleeves, carrying a straight chair as his only prop. Then he simply recited the Gospel of Mark from memory, word for word from beginning to end. Yet the audience members were on the edge of their seats the whole time. He'd tapped into Mark's own excitement in writing the Gospel. Those short, clipped sentences -- like one who's breathless with the wonder of all he's saying.

We hear the Gospels so often we can become dull to them. Yet the fire that was in Mark's heart remains in the words he wrote. And the Spirit who inflamed him can kindle the same fire in us if we truly turn our hearts to Him.

Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, enkindle in us the fire of Your love.