The beginning of the good newsof Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Mark 1:1

My congregation, like many others, uses a schedule of Sunday scripture readings called the New Revised Common Lectionary. This lectionary is a three-year cycle of readings which covers most (but not all) of scripture. Each of the three years features one of the four gospels as its primary gospel, with John’s Gospel appearing at different times all three years. This past Sunday we began a new year in this lectionary, Year B. This year the primary gospel that we will be hearing Sunday mornings is the Gospel According to Mark. So I thought it would be helpful to share an overview of Mark’s Gospel, and to share with you why I think Mark’s Gospel is so important.

When I am asked which of the four gospels is my favorite, I sometimes (jokingly) answer that this is…