Gospel (Mk 16,15-20) - At that time, [Jesus appeared to the Eleven] and said to them: «Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. These will be the signs that will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages, they will take serpents in their hands and, if they drink any poison, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover." The Lord Jesus, after speaking with them, was raised up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God. Then they set out and preached everywhere, while the Lord acted together with them and confirmed the Word with the signs that accompanied it.

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

Mark, Barnabas' cousin, from a young age attended the community of Jesus' disciples who gathered in his mother's house, as recorded in the Acts (12,12). Tradition sees it in the boy who during his passion escaped capture by the guards, leaving in their hands only the sheet with which he covered himself, as if to remind us that to follow Jesus one must strip off everything. As Mark grew older, he accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Subsequently he went with Peter to Rome. And here, agreeing to the numerous requests of the Christian community who enjoyed the depth and beauty of the apostle's preaching, he wrote the Gospel that bears his name. It is the first Gospel that was written and collects the testimony of Peter's preaching in the capital of the Empire. In the conclusion of the first Letter of Peter, Mark is linked to the apostle in Babylon, the name with which Rome was indicated, alluding to the difficult situation of the Christians of the time, similar to that experienced by Israel in the Babylonian exile (587-538 BC). The last chapter of the first Letter of Peter is full of concern and affection for Mark whom he calls "my son". With him he also addresses these last words to Christians on the humility of believers who are called to help the elderly in serving the community. He urges everyone to be submissive, first to God and then to one another. Humility makes Christians similar to Jesus who places himself at the service of everyone. And the image evoked by the apostle is beautiful: girding oneself with humility as a garment for mutual service. Perhaps the apostle is reminded of the scene of the washing of the feet at the Last Supper. And he certainly remembers, after his loud remonstrances, the master's warning: "If I do not wash you, you will have no part with me" (Jn 13:8). Humility is the attitude that qualifies the disciple and saves him from the pride which is at the root of all vices. The adversary (the devil), already present in the earthly garden, continues to deceive every man through pride and tempt him to become his slave. The apostle urges us to resist him because his action is aimed at destroying us, or rather at devouring us in his voracious and insatiable desires. And he adds that in faith we can defeat him even if he appears strong. The apostle Peter, closing his Letter, opens up to the future that will be granted to the disciples: "After you have suffered a little, he will restore you, confirm you, strengthen you, give you solid foundations". Yes, "firm" on the rock that is Christ, the disciples can already live the future "state of the risen". Mark, "interpreter of Peter", with his Gospel, helps us to immerse ourselves in the faith of the apostle whom the Lord placed at the head of his Church.