Mark 3:7-12

Today’s reading is about Jesus dealing with the crush of the crowds of people, many of whom had traveled from faraway places to see him and experience his healing touch. News about his divine healing power had spread, and now the crowds pressed in on him from all sides.  As the Son of God, Jesus had both the spark of divinity within him and at the same time a very real human body and mind.  Jesus often tried to withdraw to a quiet place to pray and rest. At other times, his pity and compassion moved him to press on through his fatigue.

Even with his divine nature, in his humanness he needed some buffering from the crowd, and his disciples provided this – here, by arranging for a boat to be brought so Jesus could leave across the water and not be crushed.  At other times, he needed his disciples to be his representatives and to teach, since within the limits of his human body, Jesus could not yet be everywhere all at once.

This story reminds us that when modern life feels like its demands are pressing in on us from all sides, it is wise to withdraw when possible to seek out some quiet.  We do not always need to be responding to every incoming bit of information or demand.  We too have those two sides to balance – responding to and caring for others, and spending time in quiet meditation or prayer to tap the well of the infinite.

You too, my child, have connected with hundreds of people, of whom you are mindful even when they are not there.  But take time to withdraw into yourself, unselfconsciously, and let it be so.  Amen.