The mission of picking up serpents with ones hands

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season: Fourth Week :Thursday*

*Feast of St Mark the Evangelist*

*Gospel : Mk 16:15-20*

*First Reading : 1 Pt 5:5b-14*

*The mission of picking up serpents with ones hands*

*1) The serpent in the Hands*

First of all serpent is poisonous and if it bites, life will be in danger 

But the if the same serpent, when it is cought in the hands it cant bite easily. It loses its power to bite 

In other words, serpent in the hands loses its freedom. It is just like a slave. It can perform what is asked of it 

*2) Serpent signifies evil*

In the bible, serpent is always identified with evil things 

In the book of Genesis, Satan comes in the form of serpent. Here serpent is identified with temptor which tempts Eve. 

Satan also tempted Jesus. At times this Satan also shown in the form of serpent

*3) Various things signifies Evil/Satan in our Life*

The excessive greed

Selfishness

Pride 

Revengeful attitude 

Greed for power, authority, pleasure, wealth, money, and worldly things 

Greed for name and fame

Greed for drinks and food 

All these are nothing but the different faces of evil 

*4) Jesus' name to control them*

The world is govern by these evil things 

Left alone to operate, these things will destroy our life

Therefore, one needs to control them in life 

Picking up or catching them in the name of Jesus would make them helpless and powerless. 

So, the power of Jesus' make is the best tool to control these things 

*5) The failure to pick these things*

In fact all these things are found in our life. 

Our mission is to pick up these things and to thrown them out and to destroy them

If they are not picked up, then they grow and destroy our life 

If so, am I ready to pick up the various serpents in life and to proclaim our mission boldly

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*