Remembering the author of the first-written Gospel...
Reflections on the readings for the Feast of St. Mark (April 25, 2020): 1PT 5:5-14; PS 89:2-3,6-7,16-17; MK 16:15-20
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While we know so little about St. Mark’s life, his legacy has been tremendous.
Today we honor St. Mark who wrote what is widely thought to be the oldest of the four Gospels of Jesus Christ. Many also believe that he was one of the original seventy disciples whom our Lord sent out to share His message. Mark later journeyed with Paul, Barnabas and Peter at various times. Because of his close association with St. Peter, many think that when he set about writing the Gospel he used the first leader of the Church as a main source. Indeed, in the first of Peter’s letters in the New Testament, he refers to Mark as my son and includes his greetings to the early Christian communities as well. “The God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory through Christ Jesus will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To Him be dominion forever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:10-11).
According to tradition, Mark was the founding bishop of the Church in Alexandria. And, also by tradition, it was there he was martyred. While we know so little about St. Mark’s life, his legacy has been tremendous. His version of the Gospel is generally believed to have influenced the work of Matthew and Luke. The briefest of the four Gospels, it is vivid and dynamic in style. We find in this book a Jesus who is truly both human and divine. Millions have heard and read Mark’s words introducing us to our Savior, the Son of God.
