Daily Reflection Feast of Saint Mark, evangelist

"Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.”—Mark 16:15

                                                           Majella LoBello 

My husband was ordained a deacon in 2015. Since then, Vincent has had the privilege of officiating at our son’s wedding, being present at wake services and funerals Masses, including that of his older brother and his mother, and baptizing babies. I am no longer referred to as Vincent’s wife, I am now the Deacon’s wife.  With that title, I am the keeper of his calendar, the proofreader of homilies and the assistant at many of the above services. I hold a book, carry a stole, sit with someone grieving and hand my husband the oils at baptism. When I read today’s gospel, I realized that none of the above is possible without the sacrament of Baptism. Our Baptism opens the door to all the other sacraments we will receive.
    When my husband began performing Baptisms, I realized just how beautiful and special they are. Previously, I sat through so many ceremonies just waiting for them to be over, so that I could move on to the party. I wish I understood back then just what was really happening. My husband, who by day is a UPS driver and lugs big boxes around, is now gently tracing the sign of the cross on an infant’s head. Right before he traces the cross on the head he says, “The Christian community welcomes you with great Joy. In its name I claim you for Christ.”  That wording leaves me awestruck. Each one of us, who is baptized, is claimed for Christ with great joy for all time. Another beautiful part of the Baptismal ceremony is the Ephphetha or prayer over the ears and mouth. This rite is optional in the United States, so not every minister does it. My husband does. I wish this rite was performed at all Baptisms, because of the beauty of the words. Using his thumb, the minister touches the ears and the mouth of the child, saying, “The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak. May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father.” When I witness this, I look at the child and pray that this child will always hear only good things and with even greater joy share the faith with others.  
    It seems fitting that this Baptismal story is the reading on the feast of St. Mark. Chapter one in the gospel of Marks is the Baptism of Jesus. While the gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four gospels, it is action packed. Mark portrays Jesus as a man always on the move and always fulfilling the mission of Baptism. Next time you, the reader, witness a Baptism, take in the wording, the ritual, and the symbolism. Remember that all these lead to sacredness, and all make a Baptism special. In today’s gospel Jesus reminds us to go into the whole world and live our Baptismal promise with great JOY and to proclaim our faith and always share it joyfully with others whether by words or deeds.