Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole
world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes
and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be
condemned.” Mark 16:15–16
Saint Mark, whom we honor today, certainly fulfilled this mission
that was given to the Apostles. Though Mark was not one of the
Twelve and might not have even known Jesus while He walked the
earth, he certainly fulfilled the mission of proclaiming the Gospel
to the whole world by writing his Gospel account.
Mark’s Gospel is the shortest of the Gospels, but it is packed with
detail. It recounts the life of Jesus vividly and in an almost
breathless way. His Gospel presents the central messages of
fulfillment found in Christ, the nearness of His Kingdom and the
need to repent and believe.
Though not much is known about Mark, our first reading from the
Letter of Saint Peter written to the Christian communities in Asia
Minor reveals that Mark was a follower of Peter who refers to Mark
with affection as his “son.” It is also likely that Mark was a
co-worker of Saint Paul (Philemon 1:24).
As we honor this great evangelist, the most notable testament to
His work of evangelizing is the Gospel attributed to him. Though he
most certainly made a difference in the lives of those with whom he
worked, preached to in person and witnessed to by his charity, it’s
amazing to ponder the ongoing effect that his Gospel has had upon
the world. As you think about his life, try to imagine him sitting
and writing out the Gospel account we now have. As he did so, he
could never have imagined that the words he wrote would be read by
countless millions until the end of the age. For him, he was
fulfilling but one small service to the people of his time. He was
motivated by a desire to make Jesus known to them, and the best way
he knew how to do this was to write down Jesus’ story.
As Mark wrote his Gospel, we can be certain that he did so not only
out of his own desire to share the life of Christ with others, but
primarily because he was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Mark’s gift
of the writing of the Gospel was a response to grace. God gave him
this mission, and he listened and obeyed. As a result, his short
telling of the life of Christ has become part of the most widely
read story in all of human history. And not only that, it is also
among the most transformative stories ever written.
Though God will not call you to write a Gospel account, He is
calling you to a particular mission. What is that mission?
Sometimes we can easily think that what we do is insignificant. But
if what we do in life is done through the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit, then we can be certain that God will use our small effort
in great ways. Like Saint Mark, we might never see how God uses us
until we enter the glories of Heaven. But make no mistake, if you,
like Saint Mark, listen to the will of God and act in obedience to
Him, then the little you offer will have eternal and transformative
consequences for the good of others.
Reflect, today, upon this simple and humble servant of God.
Consider Mark’s limited knowledge about the extent that his
contribution would end up making for the entire world. As you
reflect upon him writing his Gospel account, ponder your own
calling from God to do your small part. Know that you, too, can
become an instrument of the gift of salvation for many. The key is
to seek out the will of God for your life and commit yourself to
the fulfillment of that will with passion and drive. Do not be
deterred by any apparent lack of immediate results. Stay faithful
to your mission and, from Heaven, you will eternally rejoice as you
see the unexpected ways that God used you.
Glorious Lord Jesus, You gave Your followers the great mission
to preach Your Gospel to the ends of the world. I thank You for the
ways that Saint Mark responded to Your inspiration and was used in
such a powerful way. Please use me, dear Lord, as an instrument of
Your grace so that I can share in the mission You have given to the
Church. Jesus, I trust in You.
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Featured images above: Bible drawings by Otto Semler and
others, many based on the engravings by Carolsfeld, via
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