When pastors gaze upon their flocks after sunrise on Sunday, many will see congregations cast in shadows””haunted by diminishing investments and the prospect of losing jobs and homes.
Amid this fear and doubt, the clergy must lead the faithful to a message of hope””the miracle of the Resurrection commemorated at Easter.
To do it, many will rely on the Gospel of Mark, a tale that embodies the anxiety of confronting the unknown. Mark tells the story of Jesus’ life and death, but it closes with a cliffhanger: Three women go to his tomb, only to tremble with fear at finding the crypt bare.
It is that sensation of emptiness, terror and mystery that is drawing pastors to this scripture.
Feast of St. Mark is coming up (April 25th).
We just finished an 8 month run with small groups studying Mark. This article has some good points about why Mark is a great proclamation for these uncertain times. It was written for Christians under duress and challenges the reader to really follow Christ all the way – even into the unclear and unknown.
Gee, I wonder if the fact that 2008-2009 is a Year B, the year in which Mark’s gospel is mostly read in the three-year lectionary cycle used by many Churches, including the RCC, TEC, and those communities using the Revised Common Lectionary, has anything to do with this?
My favorite message of hope is still found at the end of Mathew “..and Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the age”.