Unit II Mark Gospel
❓ "Be able to explain the background context of Mark's Gospel."
Gospel=Good News
Written by John Mark, a cousin of Barnabas and a companion of St. Paul and St. Peter
Gospel of Mark = Peter’s testimony about the Passion + oral and written collections of Jesus’ sayings, parables, and miracles.
The earliest Gospel.
When? AD 65-70
Time of persecution of Gentile Christians by Emperor Nero
Period ended with destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Why? To strengthen believers in a time of persecution, violence, and discrimination.
Mark = Winged lion
❓ "Be able to identify the titles used for Jesus and explain the Messianic Secret in Mark's Gospel."
Titles for Jesus: Messiah, Christ, and Son of Man
Son of Man: In Hebrew, “THE Son of Man” directly refers to Man. In Jesus’ terms, THE Son of Man refers to how he is our model of faith and the ideal human.
Misinterpretations: “John the Baptist” “Elijah” “One of the prophets”
The Messianic Secret
Jesus = the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of Man (Jesus’ title for himself)
- The Messianic secret: When Jesus directed even his own disciples to keep quiet about his identity.
-Why? Jesus’ idea of the term “Messiah” was radically different in comparison to other people's interpretations. Due to Roman oppression, Jews thought that the coming of the Messiah would be a political or military leader to liberate Israel. Jesus wanted people with true faith to approach Him, therefore shunned the public about His identity.
❓ "Be able to explain the structure of Mark's Gospel."
Three acts
Part 1: Who is Jesus? Healer, forgiver of sins, and teacher. (Teachings controversial amount the people.
Part 2: What it means for Jesus to be the Messiah? “To serve not to be served” To suffer alongside the people for the better good of others. Sacrifice.
Part 3: How Jesus becomes King? The royal entry, the Temple cleansing, and the prediction of Jerusalem's destruction. The official term “King” comes with the Last Supper, the crucifixion, and the empty tomb.
Geography
Chapters 1–9 take place in Galilee.
In chapter 10, Jesus crosses the Jordan and goes down to Jericho.
The last 6 chapters take place in Jerusalem.
Galilee —> Jericho —> Jersalem.
❓ "Be able to identify the five elements of the miracle story pattern found in the Gospel of Mark and give an example."
The five elements
Introduction
Display of Faith
Response
Result
Reaction
Example: Jesus heals a leper (Mark 1:40–45)
Introduction: A leper comes to Jesus.
Display of Faith: He kneels and says, "If you wish, you can make me clean."
Response: Jesus is "moved with pity," touches him, and says, "I do will it. Be made clean."
Result: The leprosy leaves him immediately.
Reaction: Jesus sternly warns him to tell no one (the Messianic Secret), but the man spreads the news anyway.
❓ "Be able to explain Mark's theological perspective regarding Jesus' miracles and teachings on the Kingdom of God (i.e. dynamic vs static notion)."
Why Jesus performs miracles
To show God at work in humanity and to demonstrate that the power of the Kingdom has broken into human history.
Miracle vs. magic
Magic is about control. It tries to "tame" supernatural powers (CCC 2117).
A miracle is an encounter. It reveals a power, and a Person, that no one controls (CCC 548).
Static vs. dynamic Kingdom
Static Kingdom (not Mark's view): Pre Gospel = emperors gospel = evangelium Idea that whatever comes from the emperor is the transformation of the world for good. Emperor = God figure and made authoritative messages and wrong claims. Informative. Plain news.
Dynamic Lordship (Mark's view): God's active intervention and sovereignty in history right now. Performative. Force of events instead of communication.
Jesus' miracles reign in action. Living word in action.
Four types of miracles
Physical and spiritual healings
Nature miracles
Exorcisms- Demon possesses a human, a priest plays the roll of Jesus and prays the demon out of them.
Raisings from the dead
Mastery over three domains
Nature: calming the storm and sea.
Evil and sin: authority over demons and over the effects of sin.
Death: raising the dead.
❓ "Be able to identify the theological messages Mark teaches in his account of the Paschal Mystery (i.e. sacrificial love which brings new life)."
Sacrificial love is Jesus’ love that is the greatest love to lay down one's life for one's friend. Unconditional and not expected to be reciprocated.
Mark teaches that Jesus MUST suffer, die, and rise to show his sacrificial love and his role as suffering servant.
His crucifixion reveals who Jesus truly is as the centurion recognizes Jesus as the Son of God
Suffering leads to new life and to the transformation of those who witness love and those who love.
The cross is the path to life. We, as disciples of Christ are expected to pick up our cross and follow in His footsteps to reach our end goal of eternal life.
Suffering in this life is a challenge pay off into an eternal life with God.
❓ "Be able to discuss the three criteria Aquinas used to describe the emotions of Jesus. Give one example of how Jesus models these criteria in the Gospel of Mark."
Christ truly experienced human emotions; his sorrow, fear, and anger were real. Emotions are always justified.
Based on reason. Emotions are always fair
Proportionate. Sets His emotions aside for the better good of others, therefore never acting out of control.
The end goal. They were directed toward conformity with God's will and human flourishing.
Related idea: lawful vs. unlawful anger
Lawful anger is anger at an injustice that leads to a desire for peace.
Unlawful anger is anger that leads to a desire for revenge or harm.
Example: Mark 3:5, healing the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath
Reason: Jesus is angry and grieved at the Pharisees' hardness of heart. They care more about a rule than a suffering man, so his anger is justified.
Proportion: He doesn't lash out or harm anyone, and his anger is mixed with grief for them.
End goal: He turns the emotion into healing the man, which is lawful anger that does God's will.