The Gospel of Mark

Class 7

The Epilogue:

What Does Mark Mean for Us Today?

March 1, 2003

Mark’s Story World

Characters

· Jesus, the prophet, priest, king in the tradition of Biblical radicalism

· The powers (Scribes, Pharisees, Herodians)

· The crowds

· Jesus’ “family” (biological, theological)

The Plot

· A class struggle: to bind the strong man

· Kingdom of Man vs. Kingdom of God

· Jesus saw in Daniel the idea of non-violent protest making a difference: to lose a life to save a life.

Our “story world”

Characters

· Government(s)

· Family

· Church

· Work institution

· Friends

· Enemies

The Plot

Answering the call to repent: To change, experience metanoia in the U.S.

· Are we U.S. citizens in solidarity with social justice (and therefore the Kingdom of God), or are we in solidarity with a kingdom of injustice (a Kingdom of People)?

· Are we willing to live into an economic metanoia, and change our economic strategies that marginalize or oppress the poor?

· Does Mark call us to “take up the cross” of social, economic, and political indignity? Does not Mark call us to face failure, hard times, and oppression and not give in spiritually? Does not Mark call us to not let the ‘death’ of indignity win? Is this not radical discipleship?

· Do we have the courage to face this? Perhaps this Lent might be a time to seek that strength, so that we can be reborn on Easter morning ourselves.

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