Mark, the Evangelist, Saturday – 25th April 2020 — Gospel: Mark 16, 15-20
Lord accompanies with His promise
Mark is an interesting young man in the Christian tradition and identified as the writer of the first and shortest gospel. His gospel is most vivid and informal because it was probably the first recorded (60-70 AD). In some ways it is the most descriptive Gospel, yet he writes with a sense of urgency, as if Christ’s return is close at hand. In the Acts of the Apostles and several of the Epistles he is recognized as Mark or John Mark of Jerusalem, whose mother hosted a Christian community at her place (Acts 12,12). He was a cousin of Barnabas (Col 4,10) and accompanied partially Paul and Barnabas in their first missionary journey (Acts 15,37). He was imprisoned with Paul (Phil 24; 2 Tim 4,11) and had accompanied Peter as a good friend (1Pet 5,13). In fact, Peter rushed to Mark’s house after he was released from prison by an angel (Acts 12,12-17). Today’s gospel speaks of visible wonders achieved through faith like expelling demons and drinking deadly poison (16,18). Probably some missionaries all over the world have been inspired by this command of Christ to baptize others. Their actions and attitudes have shown that they were faithful, humble, and courageous disciples representing God’s compassionate love in a very frightening world of roaring lions, poisonous snakes and toxic drinks. They did believe firmly and till the end the promise that the “Lord worked with them and confirmed their message by accompanying signs.” (16,20).
