Feast of Saint
Mark, Evangelist
(II Peter 5:5b-14; Mark 16:15-20)
Encyclopedias like to describe St. Mark as the son of
Mary who had a house in Jerusalem where St. Peter went after being rescued from
prison. There is an old tradition for
this story, but it has no firm historical basis. Mark, of course, was the author of what is sometimes
called the “second gospel,” which only indicates its place among the four in standard
Bibles. Because it is relatively short without
an infancy narrative or many parables, the work has often been overlooked as a
liturgical resource. It was hardly used in
the pre-Vatican II Sunday liturgies. But
appreciation for the gospel has increased in recent decades. It is seen today as the pioneer gospel
written perhaps twenty years before its counterparts. More importantly, its profound theology makes
it one of the literary masterpieces of civilization.
All of the gospels give a unique understanding of
Jesus. Mark sees him as the suffering savior
anointed by the Holy Spirit. The second
gospel describes Jesus as poorly understood by his own disciples and absolutely
rejected by Jewish leaders. Yet it
emphasizes that he valiantly introduces God’s kingdom into the world by wise words
and life-saving deeds. Mark portrays
Jesus’ brutal death on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice that atones for
human sins as it prepares for resurrection glory.
Mark is a good place for us to start reading
Scripture. We will find many of its
scenes resonant with our experience. It
says that Jesus was a worker like most of us today, at least until the time
that he began his teaching mission. One character
of this gospel speaks the words that we often say to ourselves, “Lord, I do
believe; help my unbelief.” Another
begs, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me a sinner.” We can thank God for this gospel and for its
author whom we call “Mark.” His faith, wisdom, and literary talent have enabled
us to know intimately our savior.
