Today is the Feast of St. Mark, the author of one of the Gospel accounts. The first reading is from 1 Peter 5, where St. Peter mentions “Mark, my son.” The Gospel reading is from Mark 16 and contains Mark’s version of the great commission.
Mark is not believed to have been the biological son of St. Peter, but he was certainly a spiritual son. Mark was a disciple of St. Peter and Mark’s Gospel is believed to have been handed down from St. Peter himself. St. Irenaus said, “Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, transmitted to us in writing what Peter preached.”
After Peter’s martyrdom, Mark is said to have gone to Alexandria, Egypt. He is that country’s patron, as he is believed to have been martyred there. May we follow the example of St. Mark and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Father, we thank you for the witness of St. Mark. May we imitate him in proclaiming the Gospel. Amen.
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