Thoughts for the Day

Then Jesus began to say to them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

‘As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today we remember Saint Mark, the Evangelist who wrote the first Gospel. Also known by his first name John (Acts 12.25), he was a cousin of Barnabas. We know his mother's house in Jerusalem was a centre of Christian life, and that the two men travelled with Paul on his first missionary journey (Acts 12.12). We also know that Mark left Paul and Barnabas when they reached Perga, but we don't know why. Other information about him is obscure. Towards the end of Paul's life while in prison, he requests Timothy to bring Mark to him "for he is useful", but there is doubt as to this authenticity. He apparently acquired the information for his Gospel from Peter, though as someone at the centre of the new church, he would also have had access to those who were also with Jesus during his life. Tradition also has it that he founded the Church in Egypt, and died in Alexandria.

Mark's Gospel is the shortest and earliest of the four Gospels. The pace is fast and the word 'immediately' appears some 40 times in the Gospel. His symbol is the lion, and it can be seen on icons and pictures of the Evangelist. In today's reading, Jesus is talking to his disciples shortly before his death. He warns them, and us, not to be led astray. If though we wander away from the path, as did Mark, we can still be led back. New ideas and new leaders can attract us, but Mark's Gospel shows us both the divine and human Jesus, who took children 'up in his arms ... and blessed them' (Mark 10.16). If we measure ourself and others by the Jesus who loves the smallest and weakest humans, we won't go far wrong on our journey of life.

Lord Jesus Christ,
You called John Mark to be an evangelist,
to spread the good news -
and that You came to rescue us
from a life of sin and death.
He told the story of the three years
you spent with Your disciples on earth,
and his emphasis on You as the Messiah
has encouraged us in our life of faith..
May we learn to be evangelists
and 'gossip' the gospel to others.
Amen.