(Please read the Scripture passage before reading the homily.)
Today we are celebrating Mark the Evangelist. This passage is from First Peter because it mentions Mark by name.
Mark, possibly the same person as John Mark, seems to have been an early collaborator with St Paul and later to have worked with Peter in Rome. He is credited with being the author of the oldest canonical gospel of Jesus although his account appears second in the listing of the Gospels. Almost nothing is known abut him for certain.
Mark’s name is mentioned in this last chapter of the first letter of Peter, as Peter brings this letter to its conclusion. What are some of the closing thoughts of this letter?
In God’s presence we need humility in order to receive God’s gifts just as we need humility to receive gifts for birthdays and Christmas.
The devil is like a roaring lion, out to make us his next meal. If we resist the devil, we will have the ability to defeat the devil.
It is important that we support one another in faith. Peter mentions Silvanus as being Peter’s special envoy to those who will receive his letter. He mentions the others in the community of Rome (=Babylon) who have developed relationships with those who will receive this letter. He mentions by name Mark.
Peter gives us one final exhortation, that we be at peace with one another. We need to heed this exhortation so that we can cooperate with our neighbors, with members of the other political parties, with other nations, including those on the other side of international conflicts.