Tuesday April 25
The Gospel: of Mark is the oldest, shortest and most essential at the same time more fascinating because it introduces a progressive path to discover the true face of Jesus of Nazareth. On this day of Saint Mark, the liturgy offers us the conclusion of his Gospel, a subsequent synthesis of the final will of Jesus. The Risen One, surrounded by the eleven stands up and entrusts a mission to the entire Church: to proclaim the good news to all, to offer salvation in the sacraments and to heal the moral and physical sufferings of humanity.
Alternative
The Church honors the memory of St. Mark today. The author of the second Gospel: (which is actually the first to be written) is sometimes identified with John Mark of the Acts. He was reportedly one of the seventy disciples who were sent out in pair to preach by Christ. Later, he was associated with Paul, Barnabas, and Peter. Mark is said to have found the church in Alexandria and became its first bishop. According to Coptic tradition, he was martyred in 68 C.E.
The Gospel: according to Mark has a certain disarming simplicity, earthiness , and brevity. It is as if it speaks the essentials and does not bother much about decorative detours. There is a certain immediacy in Jesus’ actions and message—the phrase “and immediately” occurs 42 times in Mark. Mark does not bother to narrate events regarding Jesus’ birth or infancy. It begins with his ministry and ends with his ascension (or, according to some theologians, with his resurrection). Indeed, Mark’s gospel, like every other gospel, provides a unique perspective and experience of Christ.
If you were asked to write a gospel, how would you portray Christ from your experience of him? What essential themes would you highlight?