THE SIGNS ASSOCIATED WITH BELIEVERS

ST. MARK, FEAST

Reflection from Friar Nicholas Okeke, OP

1 Pet 5:5-14; Ps 89:2-3,6-7,16-17; Mk 16:15-20

Theme: The Signs Associated with Believers

Different signs characterise the life of a Christian. St. Mark the Evangelist, whose feast we celebrate, gave us some of these signs in the gospel passage. The first reading from the first letter of St. Peter also indicates another set of signs which ought to characterise the life of a Christian. We regard the signs given in the gospel as charismatic signs or gifts. These are gifts given to Christians by the Holy Spirit. These gifts are not directly involved in living a good Christian life or their sanctification but are given for the demonstration of the power of God to people outside the Church and those within the Church sometimes. The gifts are mainly for the building of the Church of Jesus Christ. The use of these gifts is towards the conversion of unbelievers to the Risen Lord. They show forth the presence and power of God working with the Church. For these reasons, the gifts were very useful for the early Church charged with the duty of preaching the Gospel to all nations. “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned.”

These gifts demonstrated the importance of the proclamation of the Gospel Message and the need for it to make an impact on people who would hear it. The proclamation heralded the coming of the kingdom of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. The signs confirmed the word of God proclaimed by the disciples. But because the signs are not sufficient proof of God working with someone, we have the second set of signs given by St. Peter in the first reading that complement the charismatic gifts. Because the charismatic signs are gifts given by God unmerited to people, they are not indicators of someone’s holiness in life. But holiness is necessary for God to be and work with someone. When holiness is lacking, the charisms are left with the individuals because they were not merited ab initio. For this reason, the Church approaches these signs with caution because they are not stand-alone indications or proofs of the presence of God. The second set of gifts indicates God's presence in a Christian’s life. 

The second set of signs are not just pure gifts but fruits of one’s work with the Holy Spirit. They are indicators of the presence of the Holy Spirit because they are fruits of our cooperation with the Holy Spirit and faithfulness to the teaching of Jesus Christ. These signs mentioned in the first reading are humility, which wins God's favour and his presence; holy reverence of God and his word; calmness and vigilance in the prayer, which makes a steward of God’s household able to ward off the enemy's attacks; strong faith in the word of God which is a shield against his attacks; longsuffering in adversity which wins many graces for conversion of souls. A Christian who possesses these signs or virtues has God as his foundation. “He will confirm, strengthen, and support you. His power lasts for ever and ever.” These gifts are like roots that support the external or charismatic gifts. They also prove their genuineness. The two sets of gifts are necessary for preaching the Gospel Message and consolidating the Church. The roots ensure the presence and goodness of the charisms. 

Let us pray: Grant us, Lord, that through the prayers of St. Mark the Evangelist, we may eagerly preach the Gospel of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in words and in deeds, for the salvation of our souls and others.