Daily Catholic Lectio. Thu, 25 Apr 2024. My son, Mark

Daily Catholic Lectio

Thu, 25 April 2024

Fourth Week of Easter – Thursday

1 Peter 5:5b-14. Mark 16:15-20

Saint Mark – Evangelist, Feast

My son, Mark

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Mark, the Evangelist. In today’s first reading, Saint Peter writes in his letter, “My son Mark sends you greetings as well.”

The tradition teaches us that Mark was a disciple of Peter; he was the one who was carrying the pot with water when his disciples went to arrange for the Passover meal; Jesus celebrated his Passover Meal (Last Supper) in the upper room of the house of Mark; and it was here that the Holy Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost; he was the young man who ran away naked, leaving his tunic, when Jesus was arrested; the Gospel of Mark is the first gospel written. He is also known as John Mark.

What are the takeaways for us from Mark and his gospel?

(a) Second chance

Mark, who accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey, deserted him to return to Jerusalem. This displeased Paul, and Paul did not want to take Mark further in the second missionary journey when he wanted to join the team. However, when Paul writes to Timothy, he says, “Luke alone is with me. Bring along Mark, for he is useful to me in ministry” (cf. 2 Tim 4:11). Thus, Paul bears positive testimony to Mark. We do not know why Mark left Paul; he might have left because of his ill health, personal reason, or misunderstanding. But his presence is felt by Paul, who longs to meet him. When we miss the first opportunity, there is always a way to prepare ourselves for the second. We can solve the problems that we have created. Every problem has a solution. Every conflict has a resolution.

(b) Action

The gospel of Mark subscribes to ‘karma mārga’ (‘salvation through action’). Jesus is in action in the entire gospel of Mark. He speaks less, but acts more. Jesus is always on the move – meeting people, casting out demons, proclaiming the gospel, healing diseases, and raising the dead. Jesus’ day is replete with actions from morning to evening. And in the evenings, Jesus goes alone to pray. Two things are to be learned here: it is not our words that define who we are, but our actions. When we develop some routine actions, our minds can be free from decision-making fatigue. Jesus assigned fixed times for his actions, as we call it ‘blocking’ in modern vocabulary.

(c) Immediately

The word ‘immediately’ appears 41 times in the gospel of Mark. Jesus acts, and acts immediately. No postponement, no procrastination. He does everything today and now. When the gospel of Jesus was written, the second coming (‘parousia’) was very imminent.

(d) Gospel as a literary genre

‘The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Son of God’ (cf. Mk 1:1) – thus initiates the gospel of Mark, who, in fact, creates a new literary form called ‘gospel’ (Greek, evangelion). The gospel is a kind of theological history, or a historical story. The reader is invited to respond to the question, ‘Who is Jesus to me?’

(e) Suffering as an existential reality

The theme of suffering is present in the entire gospel of Mark. Jesus is portrayed as a suffering Messiah. Maybe this theme of suffering, Mark might have inculcated from Peter, whose community was in persecution (cf. First Reading), to whom he writes, “Cast your worries on him, for he cares for you.”

(f) Messianic secret

The question, ‘Who is Jesus?’ is a mystery in the entire gospel. The Messianic secret is kept till the end. The disciples understand and misunderstand Jesus. God remains a mystery. In our secular world, we are fast losing the sense of mystery and the sense of sacredness. In the gospel reading, the risen Lord is in action through the disciples in a mysterious or hidden way.

I like the Gospel of Mark the most among the four gospels. Mark is precise, plain, and impactful. He is a good storyteller. He teaches us the economy of words. Let us cut down on our words and build on our actions. May Mark and his gospel inspire us to ‘do it now.’

Today, let us resolve to read at least a few passages from Mark.

#

“The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.” (Pope Saint Paul VI, ‘Gaudium et Spes,’ ‘The Church in the Modern World,’ no. 1). (Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 81)

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy