Today we celebrate the feast of St. Mark the evangelist. The first reading indicates that after Jesus' death and resurrection, Mark traveled with Peter to spread the Gospel. At the time of this letter, the two were likely in Rome.

The Gospel according to Mark is the earliest and shortest of the four Gospels. Among its themes, Mark includes the topic of suffering. After Jesus is recognized as the Messiah, Jesus emphasizes to the disciples the necessity of suffering. Christ's direct acknowledgement of suffering was likely a great comfort to members of the early Church, who themselves were suffering persecution. It is still consoling today. The Gospel according to Mark also portrays Jesus' disciples as imperfect people who were at times fearful and slow to understand. Acknowledging that even the Apostles had flaws reminds us that our shortcomings need not keep us from God.

In today's text, Mark describes Jesus' commission to go into the world and proclaim the good news to the whole of creation. It is a succinct and powerful call to share the Gospel of Christ with all people. It also points out that, not only humanity but, all of creation hungers to experience the salvation of Christ.