saint of the week

It's amazing what goes through the mind of an eight year as she winds down to go to sleep.  As we snuggle and read and say prayers a variety of thoughts in random form are vocalized.  During prayers she asks if a bishop can become pope.  As we read she asks if I will remember to write myself a note to send in lemonade to school because it goes with their story in reading class and everyone would really like that and .. . .

I tell her that her fish tank looks nice.  She says yes it does but her friend can not see it because she is not allowed in the house because her mom won't let her because someone got sick from eating in someone's house and . . .

I kiss her and tell her to sleep with the angels.  Her cherubic face smiles, her freshly washed hair smells like oranges and she sighs good night mom.  For a moment there is quiet and then:  Mom?  Yes.  Do baby cows drink from the same place that we get our milk? Uh, Yeah, I guess so. Oh. Well, then do they clean the gutters before we get our milk?  The what?  The gutters! You mean the udders?  YES, DO THEY CLEAN THEM BE FORE WE GET OUR MILK?  Oh, um, I don't think we get our milk from cows that have calves to feed.  Oh, whew.  Good night mommy.   Silence.  Mom?  Yes.  How old would Lucille Ball be if she was still alive today?  I dunno maybe 90.  Oh.  Did she die of cancer?  Yes, I think so. She smoked a lot.  Oh.  Good night mommy.  Goodnight Honey. Then the motion begins.  What was expressed with voice is now expressed with motion.  My husband says that she is building her nest.  It is about this time that the words from the Gospel of Mark come to mind:  BE STILL.  Mark is the only gospel that contains these infamous words.  Both Matthew and Luke contain the story, but only in Mark does Jesus say: BE STILL. 

 

Mark and his mother were among the first Christians.  It is generally believed that the apostles would gather in their house.  I guess it rubbed off because soon Mark began to travel with Paul and Barnabas.  Eventually though, Mark started to work alongside Peter.

His gospel is written based on the teachings and stories of Peter.  If you look closely you can see that.  There are not as many long discourses as the other Gospels, but rather more emphasis on what Jesus DID. 

I am thankful that Mark saw the need to write down what Peter saw and lived through his relationship with Christ.  Where would we be if he did not have the inspiration and perseverance to do it? Imagine writing something that has stood the test of time and forged millions upon millions of Christians? 

 

So as you sit down to write your research papers think about the perseverance that Mark must have had.  Ask St. Mark to inspire you and guide you. 

Chances are, if you are similar to the rest of us, this is the time of year when everything happens:  graduations, communions, confirmations, sports banquets, spring sports, band concerts, choral concerts, field trips, camp registrations . . . .  If you find yourself stressing about the details, go pour yourself a glass of "clean udder" milk, close your eyes and think:  BE STILL.