Scripture:
Reflection:
In our Gospel reading, Mark relates that, even though Jesus “withdrew toward the sea with his disciples,” people followed Him, hoping to be healed. Their hopes were fulfilled, and Jesus did heal them.
Once again, we are reminded not only of Jesus’ power but of His love and mercy. We, too, can go to Jesus at any time, in any place, in any situation. We may not receive the healing or resolution we expect, or even want, but we have faith that we will receive what we need.
Our Gospel reading does speak to us about expectations. Mark tells us that when Jesus would encounter unclean spirits, they would shout, “You are the Son of God.” Mark also tells us that Jesus would warn them “sternly not to make him known.”
We see this often in Mark’s Gospel. Why was Jesus being so secretive? I have believed for some time that Jesus was being secretive about who He was, because He was trying to manage expectations. Many people at the time, and many people even now, expected to see the Savior as a kind of conquering warrior. And yet, Jesus did not save us by might or conquest as the world understands such things. He saved us through sacrifice. As we hear in our first reading from Hebrews: “He has no need, as did the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did that once for all when he offered himself.” His disciples needed to witness His Cross and Resurrection before they could come to understand how He would be the Messiah.
It seems to me that, even though we are called to work for justice, we are called to bring healing more than retribution. It is in the love of God in Jesus Christ that we can work against evil and oppression. May we follow Jesus in love and mercy.
Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama.