Mark’s Gospel Assignment
Read each of the following passages in Mark’s Gospel. Then answer the two questions from each story in complete sentences to understand the meaning of the passage. Number 11 is a longer question where you will be asked to write a more substantial response based on the interpretation of a short passage. This assignment will be graded so make sure to demonstrate solid effort.
The Cleansing of the Leper (Mark 1:40-45)
1) What does Jesus tell the Leper not to do after he heals him?
2) Why do you think Jesus tells the leper not to do this (The leper of course ends up not listening to him)?
The Calming of the Storm at Sea (Mark 4:35-41)
3) How do the disciples react when the storm first hits?
4) What is the problem that Jesus has with the disciples' reaction? What does he question about them?
The Healing of a Paralytic (Mark 2:1-12)
5) How do the four men who are friends of the paralytic demonstrate that they have real faith and love for their friend?
6) How do the scribes and Pharisees react when they see Jesus healing the man?
The Feeding of the Four Thousand (Mark 8:1-10)
7) What is the miracle that Jesus performs in this story?
8) How do the disciples show a lack of faith and trust in Jesus?
The Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52)
9) What does the blind man ask of Jesus and how does the crowd react to him?
10) What does Jesus say to the blind man, and how was this man able to be healed?
11) Understanding Mark’s Themes of Discipleship and Suffering
Read the passage below at the end of the assignment, written by an acclaimed Catholic Theologian Henry Nouwen. The passage is about what it means a true disciple by “taking up our cross,”. In a fullparagraph, explain the meaning of the passage. Make sure to cover the following points in your explanation:
A) What does it mean for a person to “take up his or her cross?”
B) What kinds of "crosses might people have to take up in our society if they want to be good disciples?
C) Give a personal example from your own experience of how you or someone you know had had to "take up a cross" to do the right thing. Taking Up Our Crosses (by Henry Nouwen)
Taking up Your Cross Passage
Jesus says, “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him take up his cross and follow me.” He does not say “Make a cross” or “Look for a cross.” Each of us has a cross to carry. There is no need to make one or look for one. The cross we have is hard enough for us. But are we willing to take it up, to accept it as our cross?
Maybe we can’t study, maybe we are handicapped, maybe we suffer from depression, maybe we experience conflict in our families, maybe we are victims of violence or abuse. We didn’t choose any of it, but these things are our crosses. We can ignore them, reject them, refuse them or hate them. But we can also take up these crosses and follow Jesus with them.