In this familiar story we can forget the dramatic elements of this most powerful story and not allow the drama to impact upon us. Mark’s Gospel (chapters 14-15) provides many unique points, including the woman with the smashed alabastar jar of costly ointment, the singing of songs of praise and the young man wearing only a linen garment (Gk: sindona) which is the baptismal garment. But rather than being a follower of Jesus, he allows the garment to be torn from his body and runs away naked. What we sometimes forget, is that in Mark 16:5, another young man appears, also wearing the white garment – but this time he bears witness to the resurrection of Jesus. This offers us a magnificent insight into the place of giving our all to the Lord in worship – knowing that even if we sometimes run away from our witness, in the Lord we are given a second chance to bear witness to him. Thanks to Fr Robert Barron (Word on Fire) once again for the insights.
Recorded at St Michael’s, Nowra, 9.30am (8’15”)
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. A reading of the passion story by eight voices at St Michael’s Nowra, 9.30am Mass (16’00”)