It Will Be Yours

Saint Mark the Evangelist (born in the early first century CE, traditionally in Cyrene in present-day Libya – died circa 68 CE in Alexandria, Egypt) is honored as the author of the Gospel according to Mark and as one of the earliest witnesses to the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. According to early Christian tradition, Mark—also known as John Mark—was of Jewish heritage and grew up in a household that became an early gathering place for the first generation of Christians. His mother, Mary, is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as a woman of faith whose home served as a meeting place for prayer and fellowship.

Mark’s life intersected closely with key figures of the early Church. He accompanied his cousin Barnabas and the Apostle Paul on missionary journeys, sharing in the work of spreading the Gospel across the Mediterranean world. Later, he became closely associated with the Apostle Peter, from whom he is believed to have received many of the firsthand accounts that shaped his Gospel. Written with clarity and immediacy, Mark’s Gospel presents Jesus as the suffering servant and Son of God whose compassion, authority, and self-giving love call readers into a life of discipleship. Its vivid narrative style and emphasis on faith expressed through action have made it a foundational text in Christian spirituality.

Tradition holds that Mark eventually traveled to Alexandria, where he founded the Coptic Church and served as its first bishop. His ministry emphasized the unity of word and deed, faith and compassion. He is remembered as a bridge-builder between cultures and as a witness who carried the message of Christ’s love into new lands. Saint Mark’s legacy endures through his Gospel’s call to authenticity and courage—an invitation to follow Christ not only in belief but in the practice of mercy, humility, and truth.