St. Mark's Day (transferred)

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” ’, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ Mark 1:1-15

St. Mark's Day is traditionally April 25th, although this year it has been transferred to today. Mark is claimed as the author of Mark's Gospel and founded the church in Alexandria. There is much debate among scholars as to who he was, who really authored the Gospel etc. Yet in Mark, we have the gift of a simple, straight-forward telling of the story of Jesus, and the earliest. The gift of storytelling might now be as powerful as it once was, but in times when most folks were illiterate, and oral traditions were central, he gave us a Gospel, unembellished, a story for the ages. Today we are invited to be like Mark, sharing this remarkable story, with the bravery of a lion, and the simplicity which all can understand.

Gracious Creator, you paint the sky with clouds

you tell us your story of love and constancy

through what we see in the beautiful natural world

and what we hear and witness from story tellers.

Our eyes and ears are so overwhelmed by screens

we fail to see the wonder you have put before us

we fail to hear the good news shared with all of us

and we fail to live as you have called us to live.

Lord Jesus, help us to tell the story of your love

let us live as those who have been blessed by you

help us be like St. Mark, fearless and bold to share

your love and good news to the ends of the earth. Amen.