In this dark vale of tears, I wish solely to feed upon this secret manna, this delicious substance.
-- St Cajetan
Sunday, February 09, 2003
Meditation
Mark 1:29-39
Imagine being in the entourage of a famous athlete. Every game is sold out because of the crowd’s interest in the star player. After the game, fans clamor for an autograph or just to get a glimpse of their hero. The adulation of the crowds would surely be intoxicating, both for the athlete and all the people who surround him.
That’s one way to imagine the kind of commotion Jesus stirred up wherever he went. Even early in his ministry, the crowd’s interest in Jesus had the capacity of reaching frenzied proportions. And the scene from today’s gospel is no exception. Not only had Jesus made a deep impression on the people with his teaching, he also drove out an unclean spirit, healed Peter’s mother-in-law, and performed cures for all the sick and possessed who crowded around his door. No wonder, when Jesus disappeared early in the morning, the disciples went looking for him: Like a popular athlete, he too had fans to attend to! But Jesus gave the disciples an unexpected answer: “Let us go on” (Mark 1:38).
Jesus never allowed the admiration of the crowds to distract him from his purpose. The Father had sent him into the world to open the way for the kingdom, and Jesus worked until he reached his goal (Luke 13:32-33). He always kept his eyes on this goal, no matter how busy he was or how many people made demands on him. The gospel was everything to Jesus, and he longed to see everyone embrace his message.
Two thousand years later, Jesus remains just as focused. When he enters into our hearts at baptism and gives himself to us in the Eucharist, his one goal is to deliver us from sin and establish his kingdom in us. He wants to comfort and encourage us, and he wants to pierce our hearts with his truth, to deliver us from evil, and to commission us as his servants. Will you let Jesus reveal himself to you at Mass today? Will you let him give you a glimpse of what his kingdom can look like in your life? Are you willing to be sent out as a witness to his kingdom?
“Lord Jesus, I open my heart to you. Establish your kingdom in me. Use me to bring others to you.”