SAINT MARK the EVANGELIST

SAINT MARK




Saint Mark was an evangelist
But not
One of the original apostles


He was the young man
Who followed Christ
After his arrest
And later escaped capture


“A young man wearing nothing
But a linen garment
Was following Jesus


When they seized him
He fled naked
Leaving his garment behind” Mark 14:51-52


Dear Lord-we pray
That as we follow you
Through our lives
When times become tough
That we do not flee from you
As the other apostles
And Mark did


Mark was later
The companion
Of both Paul and Peter


Paul and Barnabas-Mark’s cousin
Took Mark on Paul’s first missionary journey
But Mark turned back
For Jerusalem


Paul became angry
And his quarrel with Barnabas
Led to Barnabas and Mark
Preaching together in Cypress


“Some time later
Paul said to Barnabas,
‘Let us go back
And visit the brothers
Where we preached the Word of the Lord
And see how they are doing’


Barnabas wanted to take John
Also called John Mark with them
But Paul did not think
It wise to take him
Because he had deserted them
In Pamphylia
And not continued with them
In the work” Acts 15:36:38


They had a sharp disagreement
And Barnabas and Mark
Preached in Cyprus


Paul took Silas
And headed out to strengthen the churches
In Syria and Cilicia


Later
Mark was with Paul
When Paul was in prison


“My fellow prisoner Aristarchus
Sends you his greetings
As does Mark-the cousin of Barnabas
(“You have received instructions about him
If he comes to you-welcome him”) Colossians 4:10


And Peter referred to Mark,
“As his son”


“She who is in Babylon
Chosen together with you
Sends you her greetings
As does my son Mark”


We must remember
That Mark was a good deal younger
Than Peter and Paul
And that Peter
Is probably the SOURCE
Of most of Mark’s Gospel


It is believed
Mark suffered martyrdom
Possibly in Alexandria
Of which he was the first bishop


The symbol of Mark
As an evangelist
Is the lion
And his feast day
Is April 25^th


Robert P. Wallman
5-4-13





Ps MISC. WITNESS 4-25-14