Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist

We sometimes blur the lines between an apostle and an evangelist. That is the case with Mark, whose cryptic accounts of Jesus’ life we know so well from the liturgy. This year, the readings at Mass were particularly chosen to highlight the Gospel of Mark, the evangelist.

Scripture anecdotes have left us with little tidbits about Mark. They claim that Mark‘s family home was the Cenacle, where Jesus and the apostles met for the Last Supper. Mark was the young man who fled from Gethsemane naked. It is also commonly said that the Gospel of Mark reflects the teachings of Saint Peter, whose disciple he was. Another is that Mark had to part with Saint Paul during their apostolic journey because their personalities were incompatible.

So much for the gossip! Perhaps it accounts for the virtues that are proposed in today’s readings. Saint Peter invites us to humility, the kind of humility that makes it possible to pass through the dark valleys of life and reach the comfort of newfound strength and faith.

At the high point of his gospel, St. Mark quotes this acclamation by Peter: “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.”

Here, we touch on the whole meaning of adoration. Recognizing the greatness of God and our littleness. So, the first reading of today, 1 Peter 5, calls us to humility: “Clothe yourselves with humility…to the humble he shows kindness.”

Respect, humility, and faith are gifts of the most profound importance for the bearer of Good News.

Prayer:

Jesus, I believe, help my unbelief. Grant that I may recognize you in the signs of your love and protection which abound in my daily life. Perhaps unnoticed, perhaps unappreciated. Lead me to adoration in spirit and truth.