Jack Shea and Mark
I often quote my friend Jack Shea, who brings so many profound spiritual insights as an author and theologian. Of his many books, Jack has written a series entitled The Spiritual Wisdom of The Gospels for Christian Preachers and Teachers, published by Liturgical Press out of Collegeville, Minnesota. I invite anyone who wants a deeper dive into the rich spiritual messages of the Gospel to acquire this series. I have come to appreciate that his work is not just for preachers and teachers.
This Advent begins a year of Scripture readings that will feature the Gospel of Mark and, as always, Jack’s edition focusing on Mark has already been very helpful to me, and many others, I am sure. His insights into the beginning of the first Gospel are definitely worth sharing because they can guide the entire year.
We hear this weekend from Mark, the very beginning of the Gospel … “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the son of God.” On page 24 of this edition Shea asks, “What does beginning mean when there is no end?” Although Mark’s Gospel has the fewest chapters and the fewest words compared to the other three, in a fascinating way it conveys action and meaning more powerfully than the others do. This is a tribute to the author and the literary masterpieces of all Scripture. Each word in this opening passage is packed with meaning: ‘beginning,’ ‘good news,’ ‘Jesus,’ ‘Christ,’ ‘Son of God.’ Each word and title of this opening line sets the stage for the very construction of the entire work. Why? Because if you fast-forward to the conclusion of the Gospel you will see not one, but two endings.
The original ending tells us those three faithful women disciples, Mary of Magdala, Mary (no last name) and Salome, “…fled from the tomb, seized with trembling and bewilderment. They said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” Death, grief and loss can make us feel this way sometimes, can’t they?
The first addition, added sometime later, called “The Longer Ending”, tells the role of Mary of Magdala, two disciples, then the commissioning of the remaining eleven and the Ascension in post Gospel activity. “The Shorter Ending” tells us that the three faithful women reported back to Peter and his companions and that Jesus himself works through them with the proclamation of eternal salvation.
Between the very beginning and this somewhat confusing end, the ‘good news’ is manifest in the face of political struggle, disbelief, uncertainty and, as Shea says, incomprehension and abandonment by the disciples. Mark tells us that the disciples struggle to embrace who Jesus is and why he does what he does.
This might sound a bit pessimistic or even odd, but the political struggles, disbelief and uncertainty of our times right now may help us to connect with the topsy turvy message of ‘good news’ begun in the Gospel of Mark and our role in proclaiming that good news in very challenging times in our world now.
Be More in the Face of Challenge
With the challenge of Mark’s Gospel unfolding this year, Ignatian spiritual fitness is encouraging, even urging us, to Be More attentive to the things that prevent us from recognizing ‘Jesus’ as “Christ.” It is never too late to have a beginning of an eternal story. Let us all be aware of how fear can mute our own proclamation of salvation.
Social Justice Wall
If you have not already, please see the new display of our various Lenten Social Justice Projects on the east wall coming from the narthex. We are calling this display our Social Justice Wall. Please familiarize yourself with the seven tenets of Catholic Social Teaching that these projects have supported. Please be reminded that your support through the years has advanced these tenets. With the help of our partners at Catholic Extension Society we have contributed to the advancement of each of the seven tenets. We thank Catholic Extension and Fr. Jack Wall for introducing us to so many meaningful partnerships, but also to Sue Geegan, our Director of Human Concerns, who has researched and facilitated our partnerships with several local agencies and causes as well. Sue along with Ro Geisler and Ellie Muehl have shared their artistic eye and made this Social Justice Wall a reality.
As a community committed to Catholic Social Teaching, may we support many projects in the future.