1. What do the Gospels say about Faith?
M308
Michael Pascual, M.A.

2. Goal Consider that the Gospels are “portraits of faith”
Explore briefly the use of “faith” by Jesus in the Gospels
We’ll focus primarily with the Gospel of Mark, then briefly treat Matthew and Luke

3. Gospels 101!
A quick Contextual (or Historical-Critical) overview of Reading the Gospels in the Catholic Church

4. The Gospels
Aren’t historical biographies of Jesus as we understand them today.
First and foremost, they’re theological reflections intended to strengthen the faith of their particular audiences.

5. The Gospels (Cont.)
A helpful way of understanding the design of the Gospels is the concept of
Mugshots
Portraits

6. The Mugshot
All you get are “facts” and “details” about the person.

7. The Portrait
Designed to illustrate an aspect or reality of their character. (Symbolic)

8. Another Example

9. Point
First and foremost, the Gospels were written as “theological portraits” about Jesus.

10. First Lines

11. First Lines

12. First Lines

13. Theological Portraits of Jesus
Mark: The Suffering Servant
Matthew: The New Moses
Luke: The Universal Messiah/Savior
John: God in the Flesh

14. How Mt and Lk were writtenQ Q
Luke
Matt
Mark
Mark

15. How Mt and Lk were writtenQ Q
Luke
Matt
Mark
Mark

16. Faith in the Gospel of Mark

17. Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God
“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

18. “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand
“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)
Essentially the summary message of Jesus for the Gospel of Mark.
REPENT (change your mind/heart) = METANOIA
BELIEVE (faith)= PISTIS
Synoptic equivalent: Mt 4:17;

19. PISTEUEIN (FAITH) Significant use of the word (to name a few)
Mark 5:36 (woman with hemorrhage)
Mark 9:23, 24, 42 (healing of possessed boy)
Mark 11:23, 24, 32 (Cursing the fig tree)

20. Jesus demanded faith
“Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:40)
“Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease” (Mark 5:34)
“Do not fear, only believe.” (Mark 5:36)

21. “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:40)
Context: the windstorm on the boat
Faith as TRUST IN GOD in the midst of serious threat to life and well being

22. “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease” (Mark 5:34)
Context: Woman with hemorrhage
FAITH AND SALVATION are joined
Salvation = to be healed
Also prominent in Mark 9; Mark 10
FAITH AS SAVING POWER

23. “Do not fear, only believe.” (Mark 5:36)
Context: After healing the sick daughter.
FEAR is portrayed frequently as lacking trust and hope.
Contrasted against “FEAR OF THE LORD”, awe of God.

24. The Blind Bartimaeus
Context: Part 2 of Mark, the road to Jerusalem (10:32); but the stop at Jericho
Jesus responds to the blind man on the road side, and asks “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Master, I want to see.”
SPIRITUAL/PHYSICAL SIGHT?
God offers the choice

25. Behind this faith, is Jesus relationship to God as Father
“Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mk 8:38)

26. More about Jesus and the Father
See also
Mk 9:37= Mt 10:40: “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
Mk 12:1-11, 35-37; “David himself calls him ‘lord’; so how is he his son?”
Mt 10:32-33: “everyone acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.”
Mt 11:27-30: “No one knows the Father except the Son…”
Faith in Jesus is faith in God (the Father)

27. Identity recognition: Peter and the Twelve
“Who do you say I am?”
Mark 8:27:30
Peter says: “You are the Messiah”
But the following episode, It’s clear that Peter doesn’t get it.
Jesus began to teach that he will suffer, and Peter rebukes him.

28. Identity recognition: The Centurion at the cross (15:37-39)
When did the centurion get it?
Recall “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ [the Son of God].” (Mark 1:1)

29. FAITH Jesus demanded faith Jesus declared its saving power
First and foremost: Trust in God
The acceptance of Jesus identity
And this was not realized until his death!

30. Mark’s Resurrection [short ending]

31. Faith in the Resurrected Jesus
Faith in the resurrected Jesus demands that we share the Good News.

32. Notice the edited ending

33. Notice the edited ending

34. Notice the edited ending
Simply…faith ought to be shared

35. Discussion
How might the different “faith portraits” be helpful for those we minister to?
What strikes you about our study of faith in the Gospel of Mark?
“The resurrection stands at the very heart of the New Testament tradition.” In your view, is the resurrection clearly at the heart of the Christian message today?