Mark 3:7-12

Mark 3:7-12

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.

A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.

Hearing what he was doing,

a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,

from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,

and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.

He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,

so that they would not crush him.

He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases

were pressing upon him to touch him.

And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him

and shout, “You are the Son of God.”

He warned them sternly not to make him known.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I seek always to behold your face. Just as the crowds sought out your Son and his healing power, I long to see you and be united to you for all eternity.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Jesus Withdrew: When the Pharisees and the Herodians took counsel with each other to plot Jesus’ death, Jesus responded by withdrawing toward the sea. Jesus only did what was good and, for this, he was persecuted. In contrast to the religious authorities, the people of Galilee, Judea, and the surrounding regions sought after Jesus, not to kill him, but to be healed by him. They were not offended that he healed on the Sabbath or associated with sinners. They eagerly wanted to be healed in body and soul. Jesus was careful not to let the crowds get carried away and entertain and promote a false understanding of his royal messiahship. Jesus silenced the demons he exorcised. There would come a time to bring his disciples and followers into a deeper and truer understanding of his identity and destiny. This will happen especially on the way to Jerusalem when Jesus identifies himself as the Son of Man destined to be crucified in Jerusalem and rise on the third day. To be one of Jesus’ disciples means taking up our Cross each day, following in Jesus’ footsteps, and sharing in his life, death, and resurrection.

2. Everyone is Looking for You: Earlier in the Gospel of Mark, we learned that everyone was seeking Jesus (Mark 1:37). And, in today’s Gospel, we see how not only people from Galilee and Judea were seeking out Jesus, but also people from the surrounding areas. People came from Idumea, which was south of Judea. They came from the east, from the area “beyond the Jordan.” And they came from the northwest, from the region “of Tyre and Sidon.” Mark is saying that people came from everywhere – from north, south, east, and west – to encounter Jesus.

3. You are the Son of God: When we read about the demons shouting to Jesus, “You are the Son of God,” we should not think that they are making an act of faith. What is happening is, in fact, diabolical. They were trying to control and exercise power over Jesus by invoking his name. Ancient people saw names as inherent to the essence or spirit of a thing. True names reveal the hidden essence or nature of something, as well as its strengths or weaknesses. Down to this day, exorcists will ask the name of the demon when performing an exorcism. Exorcists take their cue from Jesus, who asked the name of the demon who possessed the Gerasene man (Mark 5:9). In that case, the demon was evasive and gave the name “Legion,” implying that there were many demons and not just one. Therefore, in today’s Gospel, the demons or unclean spirits were not trying to confess Jesus as the Son of God, but trying to have power over him. And, for this reason, Jesus rebukes them and silences them, demonstrating his divine power over all creation as the Son of God.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are my teacher and I am your disciple. I want to conform my life, sentiments, and thoughts to you. Help me to give of myself to others without reserve, to be compassionate toward the poor and sinners, and to see all things in the light of eternity.

Living the Word of God: Have I ever experienced how Jesus sometimes withdraws so that I only seek him all the more? Is this similar to the meaning of the proverb, “Absence only makes the heart grow fonder”? What do I think is the purpose of this in the spiritual life? When have I experienced this emptiness? Has it led to detachment and resentment or an increased appreciation for God?