KATA MARKON Fr. Randy Soto, SThD Kenrick Seminary

General Aspects General Aspects Mark is the Creator of the genre called Gospel: i.e., Theological Reinterpretation of the Dicta et Facta Iesu Composition Date Terminus A quo 60 Terminus ad quem 64 Circa 60 Author: Johannes Markus, Acts 12:12,25; 13:5, 13; 15:37,39; Col. 4:10; 2Tim 4:11; Phlm 24; 1Peter 5:13. Symbol Lion

The Lion’s Book

Structure of Mark Opening Triptych: Baptismal Motive The Lion is the Son of God, Jesus Christ Part A: Ministry in The Lion of Conflict Hinge Passage: Healing of the blind man 8:22-26, which is also a baptismal motif Part B: Towards Passion Predictions What kind of Lion is this Creature? Hinge Passage: Healing of Bartimaeus, a blind man 10:46-52, which is also a baptismal motif Part C: In The Lion’s lair or robber’s den? Closing Triptych: Baptismal Motive The Lion is the Risen Christ Preaching of John the Baptist Mk 1:1-8 Forming the School and miracles 1:14 – 3:35 1 st. Prediction, Peter’s Conf. Transfiguration 8:27 – 9:29 Entrance and prophetic actions 11:1-33. Mary Magdalene 16:1-3 The Baptism of Jesus: Theophany Mk 1:9-11 Teaching in Parables and healings 4:1 – 5:43 2 nd. Prediction Teachings on ministry 9:30 – 10:31 Final Confrontation 12:1 – 13:37 The Angel Theophany 16: 4-7 The Temptations: silence (40 days) Mk 1:12-13 The fighting beast. Confrontations, healings, feedings 6:1- 8:21 3 rd. Prediction Service and love 10: Passion Narrative 14:1 – 15: 47 Fear and silence 16:8 Mk 16:9-20 is an attempt to finish what appears to be un unfinished story. It was added later but the Church has always considered this addition as Canonical.

Christology 1. Confessions, and Theophanies: a) Jesus Son of God Mark himself in the title (Mk 1:1) The Father talking to the Son (Mk 1:11); b) Jesus Son of the Blessed One Peter in Caesarea Philippi (Mk 8:27ff), The Father’s address to Peter, James and John at the Transfiguration (Mk 9:7); c) Truly this man is the Son of God The Centurion at the Cross (Mk 15:39). Jesus reveals his own identity (Mk 14:62), The angel reveals the Good News of Resurrection to the holy women (Mk 16:6).

Christology 2 2. Messianic Secret: (Mk 1:22-25; 5:3-5); on Peter who confesses him as the Messiah (Mk 8:30; 9:9); on those whom he has healed (1:40-45; 5:21-43; 7:31-37; 8:22-26). Only Jesus can reveal his identity (Mk 14:62), and when finally he revealed it no one hears about it for the women were in fear (16:8). Mark’s intention in presenting Christ’s identity in such an intriguing way was to captivate the audience’s attention (literary device), but also to defend Christology from deviations, as there were some heresies circulating among the first Christians (theological device). He who wants to know the true identity of Jesus must become his follower (acolyte), his disciple, so that Jesus himself may reveal his identity.

Christology 3 Prophet –a) proclaiming the coming of God’s Kingdom with Authority (exousia) (Mk 1:14-15), –b) summoning disciples (Mk 1:16-20; 3:13-19), –c) predicting events (Mk 8: :10), –d) performing gestures (Mk 11: ), –e) experiencing rejection (Mk 2:1 – 3: ; 6:1-6a; 7:1-2; 11:27-33; 14:1ff). Beloved Son – Says the Father (Mk 1:11; 9:7); J – Says the Parable (Mk 12:1-12); – Says a Pagan (Mk 15:39).

Christology 4 Teacher –who constantly is reaching out to his disciples and the crowds, preaching in parables (Mk 1:21; 2:13; 4:1ff; 6:2.34; 9:33 – 10:12; 12:1ff; 13:33-37). Healer –(Mk 2:17) who cured Peter’s Mother in Law “to be” (Mk 1:29-31), the leper (Mk 1:40-45), the paralytic (Mk2:1ff), the man with a withered hand (Mk 3:1ff), the Gerasene (Mk 5:1ff), Jairus’ daughter and the woman with a hemorrhage (Mk 5:21ff), all the sick at Gennesaret (Mk 6:53ff), the deaf man (Mk 7:30-37), the blind man (Mk 8:22ff), the possessed boy (Mk 9:14ff), Bartimaeus (Mk 10:46ff).

Christology 4 Innocent Condemned in order to forgive all of us Pay attention to the dynamics between Jesus and Peter (e.g. 14:53-72) The trial of Jesus: Jesus is falsely accused, He confesses the truth, and is condemned for it. The trial of Peter: In Peter all humanity is rightly accused, lies under oath, and is acquitted for it.

Ecclesiology 1. Discipleship This is the theme more preponderant in Marks’s Ecclesiology. Mark seems to always present Jesus in the company of someone; right form the start Jesus’ first action was to choose the first four disciples (1:16-20). Discipleship is to follow only Christ. 2. The TWELVE Mark does not dissimulate their obtuseness of mind and heart (8:31-33; 14:50) for only women follow him to Calvary (15:40-41). Paradoxically the 12 are never introduced as models of faith and discipleship, but rather a model for faithlessness (9:14-29).

Preferred Scene: The Boat in the Lake Mark seems to be much at home at the Sea and particularly aboard a boat. The sea represents the entire order of creation and the boat is the Church in it. Sometimes the sea is agitated (human sins introduced chaos into creation), making therefore difficult to cruise, that is why Christ’s assistance and much faith in his power is needed. The ministry began at the Sea and there the disciples will be called again Mk 1:16; 2:13; 3:7; 4:1ff.35ff; 5:1ff.21ff; 6:32ff.53ff; 7:31ff; 8: ; 16:7.

Use in Liturgy 1. Mark is used in the Weekday Reading Cycle for the first 9 weeks in Ordinary Time. 2. In the Sunday Reading Cycle Mark corresponds to the B Cycle and it is repeated every three liturgical years.

Authenticity and Canonicity  1. John Mark –Tradition has been unanimous in identifying Mark with John Mark (Acts 12:12.25; 13:5-13; 15:37-39; Col 4:10; Phlm 24; 2 Tim 4:11). –He was a companion of Paul who later became Peter’s coworker (1Pe 5:13). “Mark, having become Peter’s interpreter, wrote down accurately whatever he remembered of what was said or done by the Lord, however not in order” (Eusebius, HE ).  3. The Church has always considered the Gospel canonical. –This includes the second ending (Mk 16:9-20) that based on the style and content is obviously a glossa (later addition) written by someone else.

Place and Date of Composition Traditionally Rome (1Pe 5:13) around the time of Peter’s death (67 AD). In Lk 1:1 we see sources of people who had written about Jesus. Also, Matthew depends heavily on Mark’s Gospel plan. Therefore, Matthew would have used Mark to write his and Luke would have consulted them both. This brings Marks Gospel to an earlier date of composition. Currently there is no consensus… My personal opinion is 60 AD. –This date seems to me more logical for it gives a couple of years to circulate, to be read by Matthew (64 AD) and by Luke (67 AD).

Audience No question about the intended recipients of Mark’s Gospel: the cosmopolitan Christian community of Rome, which was composed mainly of Gentile Christians and of some Jewish Christians and. The Gospel is also written for people who have not received the Gospel, therefore the invitation to follow Christ in the Church.

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