The heart of the Gospel - “He has risen!”

Today we were in Venice and had a largely free day before an early afternoon tour around St Mark's Square and Basilica before celebrating Mass in the crypt of St Mark's.

St. Mark is most well known as the author of the Gospel of Mark, the earliest of the four Gospels. Not much is known of him... There are various mentions of him in the Act of the Apostles when he is called John Mark. In the first letter of St Peter he is referred to as my son, and he was also associated with Barnabas and Paul. 

Mark became closely associated with St. Peter, and it is accepted that he served as his interpreter and scribe. Early Church tradition holds that Mark recorded Peter’s teachings and eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life, forming the basis of the Gospel that bears his name. His Gospel emphasizes the humanity of Christ, the urgency of His mission, and the suffering He endured.

According to tradition, Mark traveled to Alexandria, Egypt, where he founded the Church of Alexandria, one of the most important centers of early Christianity. He is considered the first bishop of Alexandria and is revered as the founder of Coptic Christianity. His missionary work laid the foundation for a vibrant Christian community that endured through centuries of persecution.

St. Mark was martyred in Alexandria around 68 A.D., reportedly dragged through the streets by a mob. His relics were later taken to Venice, Italy, where the famous St. Mark’s Basilica was built in his honor. He is the patron saint of Venice, and his symbol—a winged lion—appears prominently in Christian art and iconography.

“He has risen!” Mk 16:6

St. Mark’s Basilica was originally built in 828 A.D. to house the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist which were smuggled from Alexandria by Venetian merchants and enshrined in a modest chapel, which was later replaced by the grand basilica seen today.

The smuggling of St Mark's relics out of Alexandria

The current structure, completed in 1094, reflects a blend of Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic architectural styles, richly adorned with mosaics, marble columns, and gold leaf. Known as the “Church of Gold”, it served as the Doge’s private chapel until it became the city’s cathedral in the 19th century.

The four evangelists

The reliquary of St Mark below the altar

Words from St Mark’s Gospel for the way of hope

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel!” Mk 1:15

“Do not be afraid; only believe.” Mk 5:36

“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” Mk 13:26

“He has risen!” Mk 16:6

Readings at Mass

1 Peter 5:5-14

Wrap yourselves in humility to be servants of each other, because God refuses the proud and will always favour the humble. Bow down, then, before the power of God now, and he will raise you up on the appointed day; unload all your worries on to him, since he is looking after you. 

Be calm but vigilant, because your enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat. Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that your brothers and sisters all over the world are suffering the same things. You will have to suffer only for a little while: the God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ will see that all is well again: he will confirm, strengthen and support you. His power lasts for ever and ever. Amen.

I write these few words to you through Silvanus, who is a brother I know I can trust, to encourage you never to let go this true grace of God to which I bear witness.

Your sister in Babylon, who is with you among the chosen, sends you greetings; so does my son, Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,
that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

The heavens proclaim your wonders, O Lord;
the assembly of your holy ones proclaims your truth.
For who in the skies can compare with the Lord
or who is like the Lord among the children of God?

Happy the people who acclaim such a king,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
who find their joy every day in your name,
who make your justice the source of their bliss.

Mark 16:15-20

Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them: 

‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved; whoever who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’

And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.

Reflection

Mark's Gospel ends with Jesus ascending in heaven... It was if Jesus was passing the ball to us... Now it is us, his Church, who become the visible sign of his presence in our world and he continues his saving work through us his disciples. We are called to be with his witnesses and proclaim the good news to the world, knowing as he did with those first disciples, the Lord will work with us, confirming the word by signs. 

But think also of the courage of those first disciples... Remember that the early Christian community were persecuted. Peter reminds us of that in the first reading which is a homily for newly baptised... It's a persecution that has its origins in the evil one who wants to destroy us... it's a real reminder that evil can take flesh in us and our world... 

In the midst of this Peter says be calm... Be calm but vigilant, because your enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat. Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that your brothers and sisters all over the world are suffering the same things. 

Too easily we can be corrupted by fear which stifles faith... We are reminded at every baptism when presented with the candle to "keep the flame of faith burning." But those first Christians kept the flame of faith alive as persecuted Christians continue to do so today... they took heart from Peter's words. You will have to suffer only for a little while: the God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ will see that all is well again: he will confirm, strengthen and support you. His power lasts for ever and ever. Amen.

And there at the end of the reading is Mark, who Peter calls "my son." And we are here in this crypt because of Peter and Mark and those other early Christians who often gathered in underground places like this crypt and then went fearlessly out into the world carrying Christ. May we too be witnesses after their example and in the words of the psalm, 

May we will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;
through all ages may our mouths proclaim your truth.
Of this may we be sure sure, that your love lasts for ever,
that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.