Mark, the Evangelist, Monday – 25th April 2022 — Gospel: Mark 16, 15-20
Faith in Action
Today is the Feast of Mark, the Evangelist. He is identified as the writer of the second Gospel, which is the shortest, and possibly written for Gentile converts to Christianity. Mark’s 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 through the island of Cyprus (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). Tradition holds him to be interpreter of Peter. This seems to be confirmed by the position Peter has in the Gospel of Mark. Another tradition ascribes to him the founding of the Church in Alexandria.
The Gospel brings out the command of the Risen Lord to the disciples to proclaim the Good News to all nations. The disciples are challenged to go beyond their fear and to express confidence and trust in the power of the Lord. Just as faith was a necessary condition to work out miracles for Jesus, so too, faith is a condition to proclaim the Good News in action. Not that Jesus depends on us to bring these things about; though he does make us his instruments, it is always his power that saves, does good, brings healing, and makes love grow. Jesus is the protagonist and source of true healings and wondrous actions. His command invites us to take part in His mission. He will accompany his evangelizers everywhere and their witness will draw all peoples unto the Lord.
