What is purpose of the book of Mark in the Catholic tradition?

1. ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION FIRST

The question we are exploring is what is the purpose of the book of Mark in the Catholic tradition?

(Note: All answers are found at the bottom of the page highlighted in yellow)

Make sure you understand the question by asking yourself similar questions like:

*What is the purpose of the following objects?

A hammer, spoon, sofa, socks, spade and microwave.

** What is the purpose of the following books?

Dictionary, bible, exercise book, story book and diary

*** What is purpose of the book of Mark in the Catholic tradition?

To answer this question you need to figure out the themes of the book. A theme is the main messages, big ideas in a book. Some examples of themes are the person or society (conflict between individual and society); growing up (coming of age); people or machines (humans in conflict with technology) and dangers of too much ambition. You need to give examples from the book to show that the book is about this theme. 

2. READ THE BOOK AND TRY TO FIND THE THEME

When you read the book of Mark, or watch the video, or listen, colour or note down what ideas are repeated. 

3. DO RESEARCH

Read the material on Google classroom and write down the themes and what examples are used.

TRY EXERCISE 1 

These websites talk about themes in Mark, which do you understand?

Colour the themes these websites have picked out and what examples are used

https://lonelyplanetguidetomarksgospel.weebly.com/main-themes-of-mark.html

https://bibleproject.com/blog/mark-gospel-servant-messiah/

Think about how these writers describe the purpose of the book of Mark? If you like the way they write you can use them as writing models.

5 CHOOSE TWO THEMES. How do you decide?

Which themes do you understand?

Which themes do you have examples for?

TRY EXERCISE 2

*Re order these sentences to form a paragraph 

In particular, Jesus speaks about “the secret (or mystery) of the kingdom of God” (4:11). 

For example, he tells people not to talk about his miracles (1:43-44; 5:43; 7:36; 8:26). 

Jesus does not mind keeping quiet about things  (4:10-12), nor does the writer, Mark, explain Jesus' actions much.

The effect of this seems to be to focus attention on his climactic death and resurrection, for it is only through the cross that Jesus’ true nature and purpose becomes apparent (15:39).

One main theme in Mark’s Gospel is mystery or Jesus' secret identity as "Son of God". 

The result of this is that who he is remains a mystery to most people throughout the story (1:27; 2:7; 4:41; 6:2-3, 14-16; 8:27-28). 

** Re order these sentences to form a paragraph. 

Of course, Jesus is an extraordinary, divine being who has power over disease, nature and unclean spirits. 

However, he is also described as a man who gets hungry (11:12), tired (4: 35-41) and feels a full range of human emotions, including pity (1:41), anger (3:5), sadness (3:5), wonder (6:6), compassion (6:34), indignation (10:14), love (10:21) and anguish (14:34). 

This means that Jesus is fully God and fully man but in the book of Mark Jesus' human side is described in greater detail. 

Another theme in Mark's Gospel is that Jesus has the Son of God.

(Adapted from "Themes in Mark")

ANSWERS

*The purpose of a hammer is to drive nails into a wall.

The purpose of a spoon is to scoop food into our mouths.

The purpose of a sofa is for us to sit on and relax.

The purpose of a spade is to dig a hole.

The purpose of a microwave is to reheat food.

**The purpose of a dictionary is to inform or tell the user the meaning of a word.

The purpose of the bible is to reveal who God is and his relationship with people.

The purpose of an exercise book for us to write or draw in it.

The purpose of a story book is to entertain us.

The purpose of a diary is for us to write down our thoughts every day. 

One main theme in Mark’s Gospel is mystery  or Jesus' secret identity as "Son of God". . Jesus does not mind keeping quiet about things  (4:10-12), nor does the writer, Mark, explain Jesus' actions much. In particular, Jesus speaks about “the secret (or mystery) of the kingdom of God” (4:11). For example, he tells people not to talk about his miracles (1:43-44; 5:43; 7:36; 8:26). The result of this is that who he is remains a mystery to most people throughout the story (1:27; 2:7; 4:41; 6:2-3, 14-16; 8:27-28). The effect of this seems to be to focus attention on his climactic death and resurrection, for it is only through the cross that Jesus’ true nature and purpose becomes apparent (15:39).

Another theme in Mark's Gospel is that Jesus has the Son of God. This means that Jesus is fully God and fully man but in the book of Mark Jesus' human side is described in greater detail. Of course, Jesus is an extraordinary, divine being who has power over disease, nature and unclean spirits. However he is also described as a man who gets hungry (11:12), tired (4: 35-41) and feels a full range of human emotions, including pity (1:41), anger (3:5), sadness (3:5), wonder (6:6), compassion (6:34), indignation (10:14), love (10:21) and anguish (14:34). (Adapted from "Themes in Mark")

Note to students: You cannot use these paragraphs in your assessment.