Saint Mark the Evangelist: A Beacon of Faith and Inspiration - Feast Day 25th of April
RevShirleyMurphy- Apr 29
- 5 min read
Also referred to as John Mark, he was first introduced in Acts 12 as the companion of Paul and Barnabas on their apostolic missions. He worked alongside these two faithful Christians to spread the Gospel across the nations.
The Gospel according to St. Mark is a brilliant piece of writing. At just 16 chapters it is the shortest of the four Gospels, and it tells the story of Jesus with great speed and energy. From the very first verse, Mark proclaims Jesus as the Son of God, and by the end of the first chapter, it is already “impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly,” since “people kept coming to him from everywhere.”
One of the traditional symbols for Mark is the winged lion from a vision of the prophet Ezekiel (Ezek 1:10). Mark certainly portrays Jesus as the Lion of Judah. Where Matthew emphasizes the teaching aspect of Jesus’ ministry, and Luke His deeds of mercy, Mark depicts a man of action who demonstrates the Kingdom of God with spirit and power.
He focuses on stories of Jesus’ powerful deeds, punctuating his sentences with words like “and” and “immediately.” He insistently builds up the claim that Jesus’ salvation is offered universally with words like “all,” “the whole,” “everyone,” and “everywhere.” There are a few extended speeches, mostly near the end; usually Jesus is busy doing something.
There is strong evidence that the Gospel according to Mark was the first written Gospel account, set down in writing as early as 58 A.D., and that both Matthew and Luke drew from it as well as from other sources oral and written.
Mark does not give his account of Jesus first-hand. It is traditionally understood that he was a disciple of Peter, who called him “my son” (1 Pt 5:13). This is supported by the structure of his Gospel account, which matches with Peter’s preaching of Jesus in Acts 10:34-42.
The Acts of the Apostles mention the name of “John, who is called Mark,” four times. His mother’s house was in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12), and he accompanied Barnabas and Saul in their missionary journeys (Acts 12:25, 15:39). He had a critical moment of hesitation about the mission in Pamphylia, and so Paul refused to work with him for a while (Acts 15:37-38). However, later mentions in Paul’s letters (Col 4:10, 2 Tm 4:11) indicate that he was reconciled with Paul and became a valued helper and friend.
John Mark, later known simply as Mark, was a Jew by birth. He was the son of that Mary who was proprietress of the Cenacle or "upper room" which served as the meeting place for the first Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12). He was still a youth at the time of the Saviour's death. In his description of the young man who was present when Jesus was seized and who fled from the rabble leaving behind his "linen cloth," the second Evangelist might possibly have stamped the mark of his own identity.
During the years that followed, the rapidly maturing youth witnessed the growth of the infant Church in his mother's Upper Room and became acquainted with its traditions. This knowledge he put to excellent use when compiling his Gospel. Later, we find Mark acting as a companion to his cousin Barnabas and Saul on their return journey to Antioch and on their first missionary journey. But Mark was too immature for the hardships of this type of work and therefore left them at Perge in Pamphylia to return home.
As the two apostles were preparing for their second missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to take his cousin with him. Paul, however, objected. Thereupon the two cousins undertook a missionary journey to Cyprus. Time healed the strained relations between Paul and Mark, and during the former's first Roman captivity (61-63), Mark rendered Paul valuable service (Col. 4:10; Philem. 24), and the Apostle learned to appreciate him. When in chains the second time Paul requested Mark's presence (2 Tim. 4:11).
An intimate friendship existed between Mark and Peter; he played the role of Peter's companion, disciple, and interpreter. According to the common patristic opinion, Mark was present at Peter's preaching in Rome and wrote his Gospel under the influence of the prince of the apostles. This explains why incidents which involve Peter are described with telling detail (e.g., the great day at Capharnaum, 1:14f)). Little is known of Mark's later life. It is certain that he died a martyr's death as bishop of Alexandria in Egypt. His relics were transferred from Alexandria to Venice, where a worthy tomb was erected in St. Mark's Cathedral.
The Gospel of St. Mark, the shortest of the four, is, above all, a Roman Gospel. It originated in Rome and is addressed to Roman, or shall we say, to Western Christianity. Another high merit is its chronological presentation of the life of Christ. For we should be deeply interested in the historical sequence of the events in our blessed Saviour's life.
Furthermore, Mark was a skilled painter of word pictures. With one stroke he frequently enhances a familiar scene, shedding upon it new light. His Gospel is the "Gospel of Peter," for he wrote it under the direction and with the aid of the prince of the apostles. "The Evangelist Mark is represented as a lion because he begins his Gospel in the wilderness, `The voice of one crying in the desert: Make ready the way of the Lord,' or because he presents the Lord as the unconquered King."—Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch
Patronage: Against impenitence; attorneys; barristers; captives; Egypt; glaziers; imprisoned people; insect bites; lions; notaries; prisoners; scrofulous diseases; stained glass workers; struma; Diocese of Venice, Florida; Venice, Italy.
Symbols and Representation: Winged lion; fig tree; pen; book and scroll; club; barren fig tree; scroll with words Pax Tibi; winged and nimbed lion; lion.
Often Pictured as: Man writing or holding his gospel; man with a halter around his neck; lion in the desert; man with a book or scroll accompanied by a winged lion; holding a palm and book; holding a book with pax tibi Marce written on it; bishop on a throne decorated with lions; helping Venetian sailors; rescuing Christian slaves from Saracens.
Saint Mark holds a special place in the history of Christianity as the author of the earliest Gospel account, which serves as a foundational document of our faith. His Gospel, characterised by its vivid storytelling and emphasis on Jesus’ teachings and miracles, continues to inspire and guide believers around the world.
Mark’s Gospel portrays Jesus as a powerful and compassionate healer, teacher and saviour, inviting readers into a deeper relationship with Christ and a deeper understanding of the kingdom of God. Through his writings, Saint Mark invites us to encounter Jesus in new ways and to respond to His call to discipleship with faith and devotion.
Saint Mark’s feast day also offers us an opportunity to reflect on the virtues exemplified in his life, including courage, perseverance and humility. Despite facing persecution and hardship, Saint Mark remained steadfast in his mission to spread the Gospel, trusting in God’s providence and guidance every step of the way. His unwavering commitment to the truth serves as a source of inspiration for all who seek to live out their faith with integrity and conviction.
In the words of Saint Mark himself, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). Let us follow this call with joy and enthusiasm, knowing that we do so in communion with Saint Mark and all the saints who have gone before us, and with the guidance and blessing of our loving God.
Sources
Comments