Memory

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gospels, Mark, memories, St. Mark, stories, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

It’s fascinating to think about how we know what we know about the life of Jesus from those who lived in the first century CE (Christian Era), because all four were written long after the sojourn of Jesus on earth. I’m thinking about this because in the biographical information about Mark, who wrote the first and shortest of the four gospels and upon whom the authors of Matthew and Luke are said to have depended in their own writings, we find only this to situate him: (? – c. April 25, 68) Only his death date is noted.

Mark was not one of the twelve apostles but must have either known Jesus personally (evidence is not clear) or been very deeply touched by the stories about Jesus from those who did have personal experiences of him. I think about a group of people sitting around a campfire, remembering Jesus, having been inspired by him and sharing the stories that prompted them to give their lives to the search to know this Jesus the Christ more deeply.

I think about my own growth in faith and the stories that I love about Jesus. They are mostly the stories like the healings, especially of young people whose parents were bereft and upon whom Jesus took pity, or of Mary Magdalene whom Jesus loved. When he saw her in the garden weeping over his death, he needed only to say her name for her to know he was alive. Compassion is the basis of the stories I love, stories of the care of Jesus for others, like the feeding of the five thousand or of his friends on the beach after his resurrection…

My gratitude for the memories of those who shared stories and then wrote the gospels (community memories, to be sure) reminds me that we, too, have stories to tell – of family, community and our own personal lives that are worthy of sharing in hopes that what is of value will be kept in love for those who come after us.

Apostolic Advice

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care, humility, Mark, narrative, St. Mark, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, worries

Today Christians celebrate the feast of St. Mark, known as the author of the shortest of the four canonical gospels. Mark never wrote anything superfluous but got right to the point. That reminds me of my father’s frequently repeated phrase, “short stories” when we were explaining something in a longer narrative than necessary. It also brings to mind something I learned long ago about interactions in groups. I was taught to ask myself three questions: 1. Is this necessary to be said, 2. Is it necessary that I be the one to say it, and 3. What will be the result of saying it?

In the first reading for this feast the Apostle Peter (himself not the best at thinking before speaking in the early days) gives a similar bits of advice when he writes: Clothe yourselves with humility…Cast all your worries upon the Lord because he cares for you. (1 PT 5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spread the News!

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Good News, grace of God, humility, Jesus, proclaim, St. Mark, the love of Christ, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, worries

Today is the feast of St. Mark, known as the evangelist who wrote to proclaim the “good news” of Christ to the Gentiles, those beyond the Jewish communities who had experienced Jesus during his lifetime. In the gospel today we hear Mark pass on the post-resurrection mandate of Jesus who appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” (MK 16:15)

Peter, the one who loved Jesus so fiercely and knew himself to be loved in all of his foibles and missteps as well as his willingness to serve the mission, took up the charge. His urgency and energy can be heard in his letter quoted this morning, a letter that reflects his own experience as well as his relationship with Mark whom we celebrate today. Listen in to what he writes:

Beloved: Clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another for “God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries on him because he cares for you…I write you this briefly through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Remain firm in it. The chosen one at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son. Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. (1PT 5: 5-14)

Whether written by Peter himself or later by one of his disciples (this fact is disputed) the message is certainly consistent with Peter’s experience and desire for “the whole world” to know the love of Christ and the manner in which to follow what had been taught. The image I have is of a man on fire scribbling quickly on a parchment the most important things he wants to say so that Silvanus can carry it to a new and growing community of believers. Today I am grateful for these early figures who have left us such a rich treasury of teaching and I look within to catch that fire in my life.