From the Gospel according to Mark 16:15–20

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
“Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them,
was taken up into heaven
and took his seat at the right hand of God.
But they went forth and preached everywhere,
while the Lord worked with them
and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

Missionary Spouses

The last time the Lord appeared to His disciples before ascending into Heaven, He said to them: “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Jesus promises salvation to those who believe and are baptised. This is not merely an intellectual faith, but an active and missionary one — a faith that calls us to renounce worldly ways and a life of sin, in order to embrace the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven and a life of grace.

To be baptised is to be converted: to leave behind the old self and be reborn into a new life in the Spirit, as children of God. And He tells us that those who believe will be accompanied by signs: they will cast out demons, speak new tongues and heal the sick.

Spouses, we are called to live as new creations, being reborn together within our marriage. And today we see how the Risen Christ sends us out to proclaim the Good News to the whole world. It is His final command before His Ascension.

Jesus Himself told us: “You are my friends if you do what I command you” (Jn 15:14).

We cannot remain silent!

Let us proclaim to the whole world the joy of the Good News of marriage — announcing it through our witness, through our lives: by welcoming our spouse as a gift, looking upon them with mercy in difficult moments, without demands or reproaches; listening with patience; offering those gestures of tenderness and affection, those kind words that do so much good; asking for forgiveness…

Let us be missionary spouses within our families, and also among our friends, acquaintances, and at work — in all the ordinary realities of our daily lives. That is our world, and that is our mission.

Jesus promises us eternal salvation — what more could we possibly desire?

Brought into Married Life

Mary: I think we should be doing more, Vincent.

Vincent: What do you mean?

Mary: Since we went on the Project retreat and discovered what we are called to, we’ve hardly done anything. We’ve barely changed.

Vincent: But we’ve been going to the parish marriage group meetings! And many days we pray together as a couple. And we’ve been to some Adoration times…

Mary: Yes, but it still feels like very little. During prayer today, I felt that Jesus is asking more of us. He says that those who believe will be accompanied by signs — casting out demons, healing the sick… I see that if someone truly believes, they must put it into action; otherwise, they don’t really believe. He asks us to proclaim the Gospel.

Vincent (teasing): Right… and it also says they will speak new tongues. We don’t speak any new languages — does that mean we don’t believe?

Mary: The language of the world is not the language of love or of the things of the Spirit. That could be the new language.

Vincent: Forgive me, Mary. I’ve just mocked what you were saying — and in the end, I’m the one who looks foolish. I realise you’re right, and that it’s only my laziness that makes me look for excuses.

Mary: You see? You’re already beginning to speak a new language.

Vincent: It’s true — it is a new way of speaking. And you’re right: we’ve discovered the greatness of our marriage. We shouldn’t be afraid to be witnesses of what God is doing in us.

Mother,

Teach us to be living examples of divine love, always doing the will of the Father and proclaiming the Word of the Son without fear of the world or its consequences, but abandoning ourselves to His providence, just as you always did.

Blessed and glorious are you, Mother! May the Lord be praised for ever.