St. Mark the Evangelist

Often when someone is first starting their journey into the Bible, it will be suggested they start with Mark. Of the Gospels, it is the shortest and most straightforward. It focuses on Jesus’ ministry and miracles, slowing revealing that is God and the Messiah. St. Mark was not one of the Twelve, but he was most likely an early follower of Jesus and present when he was arrested and crucified in Jerusalem.

Mark’s mother opened her home to the Apostles as a meeting place in Acts. (Acts 12:12) Mark joined Paul and his cousin Barnabas on their first mission to Antioch in 44.(Acts 13:13)When they reached Cyprus, Mark returned to Jerusalem.

Later, Mark went to Rome, with plans of visiting Asia Minor. While he was there, Paul was arrested, and Mark visited him in prison. (Col 4:10) He was in Asia Minor during Paul’s second imprisonment, and Paul asked Timothy to bring Mark with him to carry on the ministry in Rome.

He also worked closely with Peter, who referred to Mark as his son in letters to churches in Asia Minor. Mark’s Gospel was written between 60-70 based on the teaching of Peter. It is traditionally held that Mark himself is the man described as running away naked from Jesus’ arrest (Mark 14:51-52). After all, why include such an anecdote, and if one did, why not name the man? The Gospel of Mark is most likely the earliest Gospel written. It recounts the miracles of Jesus’ ministry for a Greco-Roman, Christian audience in order to strengthen their faith.

Mark was the first bishop of Alexandria. He lived there for many years, and it was there he was martyred while being dragged through the streets. He is often depicted with a book (his Gospel) and a lion, representing the opening of his Gospel: John the Baptist “crying out like a lion” to prepare the way for the Lord. St. Mark's feast day is April 25.

St. Rafqa

St. Rafqa, also known as Rebecca, was born in Lebanon in 1832. She was an only child and raised in a devoutly Christian home. Her mother died when she was seven. Following the death, her father faced financial struggles and sent Rafqa to Damascus to work as a servant.

She returned home in 1847 to learn that her father had remarried. Her stepmother wanted Rafqa to marry her brother, while an aunt wanted Rafqa to marry a cousin. Instead, Rafqa joined the Mariamette religious order.

As a religious sister, she worked as a teacher and helped establish a school for girls. In her own time, she studied Arabic, writing, and arithmetic. When the Mariamette order faced a crisis, Rafqa  reportedly heard messages from heaven to remain a nun but directing her to enter the Lebanese Maronite Order. She joined her new order in 1872.

In 1885, she asked Christ to share in his suffering. She immediately felt pain in her head and eyes. Her superior sent her to Beirut to seek treatment. Surgery was unsuccessful, and she lost one eye. For the next 12 years, she continued to have pain, but she remained joyful and patient in the suffering.

When she died on March 23, 1914, many people witnessed a light that appeared on her grave for three nights. She is a patron of sick people and loss of parents. Her feast day is March 23.

Dogwood Winter

It’s spring! Well, kind of. Not yet. It was, but it’s not again, but it’s starting to be. Tennessee weather is a fickle thing. 70 in February, 30 in April. The daffodils bloom, and two days later it snows. The redbuds poke out on a warm afternoon only to be covered in frost that night. You find yourself always dressed for the wrong season. The little winters of spring pop in and out, keeping you guessing. The little winters take on the names of what’s in bloom—what risks suffering, when a spring cold snap hits: redbud, dogwood, locust, blackberry.

The dogwoods are starting to bloom now. I’ve been waiting for months. With a dogwood in the front yard of my new house, I was eager to see its flowers. I love dogwood flowers. They always seem to bloom around (yet never on) Easter. Which is fitting, as they are the perfect Easter flower.

The four petals form a cross. At the center sits a crown of thorns. The whiteness symbolizes purity while the spots of red represent Christ’s wounds. When I see the blooms, I always think of Christ and Easter. With the dogwoods fighting to bloom all over town today, even through the snow flurries, I’m reminded that even if it doesn’t always feel like it, it’s still Easter. Alleluia.