Called to a Miracle Mindset: Mark 8

Jesus constantly tells his disciples to proclaim the Gospel. We will see this commission given in the final chapter of Mark’s Gospel especially. For some people, sharing the Gospel feels both awkward and “preachy.” Let’s take a moment to think about what sharing the Gospel means and think about how you can practice sharing the Gospel.  

In John’s Gospel, after the Resurrection, Mary Magdelene encounters Jesus and we read: “Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord,’ and what he told her” (John 20:18). This short verse contains a lot of wisdom. Firstly, Mary encountered the Lord, “I have seen the Lord!” This is the heart of our testimony: where you’ve encountered the Lord. What does it mean to “encounter” the Lord today? It doesn’t simply mean those for whom Jesus appears bodily in visions. Encountering the Lord can happen at Mass, in prayer, reading Scripture, while brushing your teeth, while speaking with another, and so on. To “encounter” the Lord means that you’ve authentically experienced the true and living God. Those spiritual experiences that lead us to turn away from sin, inspire us to love Jesus first and foremost in our lives, grant us a greater peace and awareness of God’s presence during Mass or while praying or reading Scripture, and help us grow in faith, hope, and charity will become the content of our personal testimony. So, what is your testimony? When have you encountered the presence of the living God in your life? How did this encounter help you grow in faith in Jesus, the saints, the Sacraments, Church, etc.? In short, how did that encounter grace your life towards deeper love of Jesus and others? How did he heal you in body or soul? How did he direct your life in a helpful way? When you have spent time reflecting on these questions and can describe it, you’re ready to practice sharing your testimony. 

Mary encountered Jesus and then went and announced her encounter and what she learned from that encounter. If you are going through the Gospel of Mark with another person or a small group of people, then consider that group those to whom you’ve been sent. Before spending time talking about the 8th chapter of Mark, spend some time sharing your testimony. Here’s a good outline to help with sharing: 

1) Share what was happening BEFORE the encounter that ended up being  changed/healed/transformed/graced by your encounter with the Lord 
2) What happened in that encounter with the Lord. You do not have to give all the details (especially if the encounter is very personal). In fact, too many details can sometimes cause people to “lose the scent.” What was the encounter like? Can you remember where you were and what you were doing at the time? Those kinds of details help give your testimony a specificity that is uniquely yours. Mary Magdala spoke what Jesus told her. 
3) Finally, share how that encounter changed/healed/transformed/graced you. What has been the “fallout” from that encounter? This is the Good News part of your testimony. 

 It might be awkward sharing. But you’re not “lecturing” others, you’re not “teaching” others, and you’re not “forcing” others to believe anything other than that you had this experience. This means that you do not have to have a master's degree in theology to share your testimony, you simply need to have had an encounter – in some way – with the Lord. This takes a lot of pressure off you to “have all the answers.” Your testimony isn’t about a catechism class for someone, it’s about offering them hope that what happened in your life can happen in their life. You are literally giving them Good News that Jesus – the Holy Trinity – the angels and saints – are real, alive, active and imparting blessing now. Whether your testimony is from a day ago or thirty years ago, it remains powerful, and the grace remains ever new with its telling.  

If we learn to practice sharing our testimonies with our brothers and sisters in Christ, it will become easier to share it with friends, family, a co-worker (in a professional and prudential way), and others who might not have really heard the faith proclaimed as Good News for them today.  

Make sure to bless those who share their testimony with you. Give each other permission to stumble over your words as you describe these encounters and share them, perhaps for the first time, with another person. 

 Reflection Questions: 

1.) Jesus miraculously feeds 4,000 people with seven loaves. Even after witnessing a similar situation in Mark 6:30-44, the disciples still worried: “How can one feed these men with bread her in the desert” (Mk. 8:4)? When we read the miracle accounts in the Scriptures or in the lives of the saints, do we think the same way as the disciples in Mk. 8:4? What keeps us from believing that what Jesus did in the past “can happen again” or “can happen here”?  
2.) After the miraculous feeding of 4,000, Pharisees approach Jesus and ask for a sign...interesting. What?! How about the sign that over 4,000 people just ate (with plenty left over) from only seven loaves of bread?! What would it have meant for the Pharisees to believe in Jesus following the miracle of multiplication of the loaves? What might that say about our own personal struggle bouncing between doubt and faith? 
3.) Although Jesus proclaims saving truth, forgives sinners, delivers people from demons, and heals the sick, Jesus does not proclaim a “cross-less” life for his disciples. Healing does not equal cross-less-ness in our walk with Jesus. Deliverance and healing free us to follow Jesus at all costs. In verse 35, we have one of Jesus’ toughest sayings in terms of our discipleship. How does that verse – and that section – affect you? How does this section (especially vv. 34-38) challenge you? Remember, these are the words of Jesus, not opinions nor a TED talk, it’s the Savior of the world’s statement about how our lives relate to his Crucifixion.  

 Food for Thought: 

Because the introduction took up so much space, I’ll keep this food for thought section pretty brief.  
In verse 29, Jesus asks his disciples “But who do you say that I am?” He asked what others said, but he also cares about what they say. This is an important passage for our reflection. We’ve reached the “halfway point” in the Gospel according to Mark. We’ve seen Jesus Christ in a new light through our prayer-filled read of the Gospel. We’ve hopefully been challenged by how Mark presents the Good News of Jesus Christ. After all that you've read, you will want to ask yourself, based on the Gospel, and using the Gospel as a source for your belief (rather than a PBS documentary or mere conjecture), who is Jesus to you, personally? (Okay, you got me...that was another reflection question. It’s a few days after Holy Week, have pity on this old chunk of coal. Peace!)