Mystical holiness in Mark’s Gospel

Abstract

The article discusses holiness as a theme in the Gospel of Mark from the perspective of biblical spirituality. It first establishes the framework within which holiness is understood by discussing holiness in spirituality, in the early Christian context of Mark and in terms of Mark’s focus on the identity of Jesus. The article then focuses on holiness in terms of the human pole in the divine– human relationship by investigating how holiness is about awe and fear before Jesus as the mystery of God’s kingdom (Mk. 4:11). It then analyses holiness in terms of the divine pole in the divine–human relationship by investigating Jesus as the Holy One of God. It concludes with an analysis of Jesus’ reaffirmation, interiorisation, radicalisation and embodiment of holiness and of Mark’s mystagogical approach to holiness within the lived experience of his community.