Newsletter - February 2006
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK
During this year 2006, on the Sundays in Ordinary Time, the Gospel according to Mark is read in the Church. The second Gospel, called the Gospel according to Mark, is in reality the first written Gospel, according to the most recent studies and interpretation.
Mark, or John Mark, was a Christian from Jerusalem. His mother, Mary, used to open her house for the gathering of the first disciples of Jesus (Acts 12: 12). Some commentators believe that he was the young man who was present at the arrest of Jesus at Gethsemane, and fled away naked from the scene (cf. Mk. 14: 51-52). We know that he was cousin to Barnabas (Col 4: 10), the companion of Paul, and assisted them both in Antioch and during their mission in Cyprus (Acts 13: 5). Later on, he helped Paul, during his captivity in Rome (2 Tim 4: 11), and again in Rome, he stayed with Peter (1 Pt 5: 13). Indeed, John Mark is called the "interpreter" of Peter (Papia 130 A.D.), so much so that it is believed that his gospel reflects the preaching of Peter.
It is commonly maintained that Mark wrote his gospel after the death of the apostle Peter (about 64 A.D.), so towards the years 70-75 A.D.
Mark collected the oral and written traditions about Jesus, that were used by the first Christians in their gatherings. These traditions were assembled randomly. Mark was the first to unite and edit them in an orderly book.
Mark is not concerned about the birth of Jesus and his childhood, as are Matthew and Luke, but starts his gospel with the public life of Jesus. His general intent is to present Jesus as Man, as Messiah, as Son of God: "The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (Mk 1: 1). This act of faith is repeated in the central part of the same gospel with the profession of faith of Peter: "You are the Christ" (Mk 8: 29). Finally the same faith is proclaimed at the end of the gospel by the centurion at the foot of the cross: "In truth this man was Son of God" (Mk 15: 39).
We may divide this gospel into two parts:
a) chap. 1 to chap. 8: 26
b) chap. 8: 31 to chap. 16.
The first part deals with the mission of Jesus in Galilee and also in some pagan countries: Tyre, Sidon, Decapolis, etc. In the second part, after the Transfiguration, Mark narrates Jesus going to Jerusalem, where his Passion and Resurrection take place. In the middle of these two sections, as a kind of pivotal point, there is the profession of faith of Peter, 8: 27-30.
Mark writes in a simple, popular Greek. Most probably his gospel is destined not for the people of Jewish origin, but for the pagans of the west converted to Christianity. Commonly it is believed that this gospel was written.
PEACE OF GOD, THROUGH TRIALS AND PERSECUTIONS
Your purity of life, your devotion, deserve and call for a reward; because you are acceptable and pleasing to God, your purity of life must be made purer still, by frequent buffetings, until you attain perfect sincerity of heart. If, from time to time, you feel the sword falling on you with double or treble force, this also should be seen as sheer joy and the mark of love.
The two-edged sword consists in conflict without fears within. It falls with double or treble force within, when the cunning spirit troubles the depths of your heart with guile and enticements. You have learned enough already about these kinds of warfare, or you would not have been able to enjoy peace and interior tranquility in all its beauty.
The sword falls with double or treble force externally when, without cause being given, there breaks out from within the Church persecution in spiritual matters, where wounds are more serious, especially when inflicted by friends.
This is that inevitable and blessed cross of Christ?: the cross in which alone we make our boast, as Paul, God's chosen instrument, has told us.
Look, then, on Jesus, the author and preserver of faith: in complete sinlessness he suffered, and at the hands of those who were his own, and was numbered among the wicked. As you drink the cup of the Lord Jesus (how glorious it is!), give thanks to the Lord, the giver of all blessings.
May the God of love and peace set your hearts at rest and speed you on your journey; may he, meanwhile, shelter you from disturbance by others in the hidden recesses of his love, until he brings you at last into that place of complete plenitude, where you will repose for ever in the vision of peace, in the security of trust and in the restful enjoyment of his riches.
(From a letter by St. Raymond de Pe?afort op, Priest)