But that wasn’t the end of Mark’s story. Years later, Paul wrote from prison: “Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” According to early tradition, Mark became Peter’s interpreter in Rome and wrote down Peter’s memories of Jesus, the Gospel we call Mark. Tradition also says he founded the church in Alexandria. In 828, Venetian merchants smuggled his relics out of Alexandria, and St Mark’s Basilica in Venice was built to house them.
Historical Context
Many think Mark is the young man in his own Gospel who fled naked from Gethsemane when Jesus was arrested, a strange detail no one else mentions. If so, he was a deserter twice. And he still wrote the first Gospel.
A Prayer to St Mark
St Mark, you ran away and turned back, more than once,
and still God used you to tell the story of Jesus.
Pray for me when I’ve failed and think I’m done.
Help me get a second chance and make good on it.
Pray for writers, teachers and everyone who shares the Gospel.
Amen.
For a Second Chance
Lord, I let someone down.
Like Mark, let me prove useful again.
Amen.
For Reconciliation
Lord, as Paul and Mark were reconciled,
heal the broken relationship between me and (name).
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- On 25 April, his feast.
- After a failure, before trying again.
- When reading through the Gospel of Mark.
Scripture Connection
“Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” — 2 Timothy 4:11
One of the last things Paul wrote was a request for the young man he’d once refused. People change, and so do our judgments of them.
Related prayers
For the other evangelists, see the St Matthew Prayer and Prayer to St Luke. For Peter, the Saint Peter Prayer.