Saint Mark: The Evangelist Who Shows Us Jesus’ Human Side
She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Mark 5:28
I think if we were to be honest, we all have a favorite Gospel, for whatever reason, or reasons, we may offer. Mine would certainly have to be St. Mark’s Gospel. I had the great privilege to study at the Saint Paul Seminary in the 1990s as I earned a master’s degree in theology. In the spring of 1995, I was introduced to the beautiful story of Jesus’ life and ministry in Mark’s Gospel.
Writing for A Persecuted Audience
Most Scripture scholars agree that Mark’s Gospel was written in about 70 A.D. We know that Jesus died in about 33 A.D. and that St. Paul wrote his letters to the Churches he established throughout the then-known world beginning in about 49 A.D. and concluding in the mid-60s A.D. The Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, were inspired to write about Jesus, each for a different audience and for a different purpose. Mark was writing to the Christians living in Rome. Scholars believe Emperor Nero started the massive fire that burned Rome in 64 A.D. and then blamed it on the Christians. This began nearly 300 years of persecution..
The Christians living in Rome were tempted to commit apostasy, which is denial of the faith. Mark wrote about Jesus to inspire them to remain committed to their faith as His followers and to live a life of holiness and sacrifice. Their witness would provide inspiration for others who were considering the life they portrayed, which was so different from the life of the average Roman citizen. The world in which they lived was often corrupt and self-serving, exactly the opposite of the life of a Christian. As St. Justin Martyr explained, the Christians were the best of citizens because they cared for each other and promoted a life of service and peace. It was into this world that Mark’s Gospel brought hope and encouragement for those who were threatened with loss of life for their belief in Jesus.
Mark may have been John Mark mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. He was a companion of Peter and Barnabas and he would have heard about Jesus from Peter. Interestingly, Mark used the word “immediately” 41 times, likely indicating Peter’s perspective on Jesus’ actions and demeanor. The inclusion of this word may also indicate something about Peter’s impulsive personality! Mark shows us the very human side of Jesus.
Falling in Love with Jesus
It was in this class at the Seminary that I fell in love with Jesus. We were reading about the woman who was bleeding for 12 years, and she believed that if she could touch the edge of Jesus’ cloak, she would be healed. She snuck into the place where He was, which was forbidden. Her bleeding would have made any male who touched her unclean and he would have had to go through an elaborate ritual cleansing. She was so desperate that she took the chance of being ostracized for the rest of her earthly life for that one courageous encounter. Jesus’ response to her was so loving and compassionate. I wanted that kind of love and acceptance in my own life. And I knew I could have it if I turned my life over to trusting Jesus the way this woman did. Truly, I fell in love with Him.
How can we come to know Jesus in our own lives – something Saint Mark must certainly have wanted for us – even to this day? When we encounter Jesus, He changes us and He changes our lives. We will never be the same again when He heals us of whatever ailment we suffer from. Courageously reaching out and touching Him will facilitate the healing we seek. Act with great confidence and courage today and ask for His help, believe He can and will heal you, and then become a witness of His healing power in your life. This could be a time that you, too, fall in love with Jesus.
Dr. Kate Walsh-Soucheray taught high school religion in St. Paul, Minnesota and then became a licensed marriage and family therapist. She has master’s degrees in theology and marriage and family therapy, and a doctorate in educational leadership. Dr. Kate and her husband John have been married for 42 years and they have three, adult married children and six, soon to be seven, grandchildren. Dr. Kate is retired and writes and speaks for Catholics.