April 25th - St. Mark the Evangelist By: Jeslyn Joyal

St. Mark dedicated his life in spreading the Good News, and he was the author of Mark’s gospel, which was part of the Holy Bible, which became fundamental for the Christian community.

St. Mark, who was referred as “John Mark” was the son of Mary of Jerusalem, who was close to the Twelve Apostles. St. Mark began his spiritual life traveling with St. Paul and his cousin St. Barnabas. St. Paul talks about him in his writings about how supportive he was in helping spread Jesus Christ.

St. Mark never met Jesus, so it is believed that Mark’s gospel is based off of St. Peter’s teachings. They did have a close relationship, and St. Peter called St. Mark his “son” in his writings.  St. Mark’s gospel also influenced Saints Matthew and Luke in writing their gospels.

St. Mark traveled with St. Paul until his martyrdom, and continued preaching the Good News until he reached Egypt, where he established the Church and became bishop of Alexandria. St. Mark became a martyr between the years 68-74 AD after being dragged though the streets for his faith in Jesus.

St. Mark’s gospel helps people know that Jesus suffered to save us all, and that He was the Son of God. St. Mark spent his whole life to spread the Good News and to convert people to Christianity, wrote the Gospel to continue his mission, even after he died, for future generations.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

O Glorious St Mark, through the grace of God our Father, you became a great Evangelist, preaching the Good News of Christ. May you help us to know Him well, so that we may faithfully live our lives as followers of Christ. Amen.