The Gospel of Mark

Casting new light on the passionate narrative of the earliest and shortest gospel.

When: January 16, 9:30-12:00 p.m.
Where: the Parish Center, 46 Winthrop Street
Presenter: Fr. Jonas Christal

The shortest of the four gospels and considered to be the first gospel to be written according to most contemporary New Testament scholars, the Gospel of Mark still intrigues, instructs, and challenges his readers and hearers.

Its fast-paced narrative conveys a vivid image of Jesus as the bearer of God’s kingdom and calls the readers to come to terms with Jesus’ true identity and mission. At the same time, Mark’s characterization of the disciples, Jesus’ opponents, and other minor figures proposes a rich and complex understanding of Christian discipleship.

In Part II we will participate in a group reading experience of the whole gospel. It hopes to enrich and deepen our reading of Mark and to present new insights into the ways in which we can incarnate its message in our personal life, in our Christian community, and in the world at large.

In the end, it is an invitation to hear and to engage anew “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mk 1:1).

Please register by January 14 by calling the Parish Center at 617-242-4664 or emailing Sr. Nancy Citro, SNDdeN at ncitro@stmarystcatherine.org. Light refreshments will be served.

Fr. Jonas Christal is a Brazilian priest of the Archdiocese of Campinas, Brazil. He is a priest in residence in our parish and often presides at liturgical celebrations here and for the Brazilian community at Holy Family Parish in Lowell. Fr. Jonas is writing his Doctoral Dissertation on “Renunciation of Possessions and Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark” at Boston College.