Have you come out of the darkness of the tomb into the light of the resurrection this Easter season? Isn't that what Easter is all about? For example, John Mark moved from darkness into light. He accompanied Sts. Paul and Barnabas on the relief mission for starving Jerusalem (Acts 12:25). He also accompanied them on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:5). The first encounter on that first journey was traumatic. Elymas "the Magician" was struck blind and Sergius Paulus, the governor, was converted to Jesus (Acts 13:11-12). Possibly this was too much for Mark, as he abandoned ship and quit his mission (Acts 13:13; see also Acts 15:38). He was in the darkness of fear and unfaithfulness.
St. Mark eventually returned to missionary work as Barnabas' partner. He later put together the earliest Gospel. In his Gospel, he highlights Jesus' healings of the blind (Mk 8:22; 10:46). The very circumstance that may have traumatized him is now lifted up to the glory of God. Mark is an Easter person who went out of the dark tomb of fear into the risen light.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, I'm afraid of difficult circumstances. Bring me out of that tomb. |
| PROMISE: | "Whoever rejects Me and does not accept My words already has his judge, namely, the Word I have spoken – it is that which will condemn him on the last day." –Jn 12:48 |
| PRAISE: | Margaret left the Church during the sexual scandals, but returned after missing the High Priest, Jesus, in the Eucharist. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College