By: Andrew Ecker, Ian Boland, Josh Geronimo, Yoshi (Yonathan) Teclu,

Eric Lundberg

Intro Videos

Background

• Written by John Mark• (Winged Lion)- can compare John the Baptist’s voice to

a roaring lion• Traveled with Peter and Paul, did not know Jesus• Based Gospel off of Peter’s account• 65-70 AD– Written in Rome, for Gentile Christians suffering for belief in

Jesus– For Christians in Syria during First Jewish Revolt

• Written to keep readers faithful to Jesus

Gospel Image• Jesus is an authoritative teacher• Disciple means learner• God’s Salvation, God’s peace and justice, and Man for

Others• Favorite title- Son of Man because it describes his

humanity and divinity• Gospel is good news because Jesus is the Son of God• Jesus reached out to his Disciples on a personal level

Gospel Image (continued)• Jewish people thought of him as a blasphemer because he

taught different from Jewish tradition• Messianic Secret- Jesus wants hide his true identity

because the public thinks the Messiah to be a military ruler• Baptized by John the Baptist• Jesus

– Performs exorcisms– Teach that God has bountiful mercy towards sinners– Spend time with outcasts of society

• Placed in a tomb provided by Joseph Arimathea

Parts of Mark’s Miracle Stories

• Introduction- Setting• Display of Faith- Faithful ask for forgiveness• Response- The miracle• Result- Outcome of miracle• Reaction- Crowd’s amazement and awe

Mk 2:8-11

“Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you many know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”- he said to the paralytic,” I say to you , rise, pick up your mat, and go home”

Authority• Comes from word author (creator)• The right to command• Someone with official power• Source of reliable information• Knowledge/ skill/ experience worthy of

respect

Paschal Mystery• Passion/ Death/ Resurrection-main theme of Gospel

(suffering servant)• Mark emphasizes that everyone abandoned Jesus in

the end• Jesus path is a path of suffering and abandonment• Pontius Pilate thought Jesus was innocent but violated

his conscience in sentencing Jesus to death• He did so in accordance with the popular view• Jesus chose to die so he could prove that he really did

love us and was God’s son.• Jesus represented us to the Father- gave us possibility

of Salvation

Most important information

• Who wrote Mark?• When and who was the Gospel written for?• What type of speaker is Jesus?• What are the basic elements of Mark’s typical

miracle story?• What is the messianic secret?• What is Jesus’ favorite title?• Who is responsible for Jesus’ death?• Did Pontius Pilate find Jesus guilty?

Reflection

• While on the cross, Jesus forgave his executioners for executing him for a crime he did not commit. If you were executed for a crime you were innocent of, could you forgive your killers?

• The Paschal Mystery is about Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. How is the Paschal Mystery important to you?

• There were many people who were involved in Jesus’ death. Who do you think is at fault for the death of God’s only son?