SERMON/HOMILY ON THE FEAST OF ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST 25TH APRIL 2024

SERMON/HOMILY ON THE FEAST OF ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST 25TH APRIL 2024

1Peter 5:5b-14; Ps. 89; Mark 16:15-20

The Face of Jesus in times of Persecution

 

The gospel of Mark is generally considered to be the oldest of the four gospels. In fact, Scripture scholars hold that the other gospels relied on the gospel of Mark that explains why Mark’s gospel is the shortest of them all. If you are writing commentary on a work, it is most likely that your commentary will be more elaborate than the work itself.

In writing, Evangelist Mark was preoccupied with revealing the identity of Jesus. In the prologue (1:1-15), he introduces Jesus to the reader and also reveals his identity as Christ, the Son of God. The gospel is divided into two parts. In the first part (1:16-10:52), the fundamental question of who Jesus is, is answered. Amongst so many attempts, Peter eventually said: “You are the Messiah” (8:29). It is in the second part of the gospel (11:1-16:20) that the true identity of Jesus is finally and definitively revealed. This happened at the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross when the centurion confessed: “Truly, this man was the Son of God” (15:39).

The direct audience of Mark were persecuted Christians, most of whom were gentile converts. He wrote to nourish and strengthen their faith at a time when they were in great danger of losing their lives on account of their commitment to Christ. Consequently, he largely dwelt on the passion of Christ so as to present Jesus as the supreme example of martyrdom. With this, he taught the people that the cross was and remains the authentic Christian way.

In the gospel reading of today, just before his ascension, Jesus charged his disciples to continue to proclaim the goodnews. He promised to remain with them. This means that they will become victorious in the same way he was victorious – the Cross.

Mark (as a person and in his writing) reminds us that Jesus is very much with us. He suffered and so is able to understand our suffering. No loving father watches the children suffer. Beloved, God is already saving us. We may not know how, we may not know when but we know the God we serve. The growing number of confirmed cases should not scare us but increase our consciousness of the greatness of God. So, do stop praying; we shall come out victorious!