Then He Went Home
In this week’s Gospel Mark 3: 20-35, as Jesus makes his way along the towns and villages surrounding the Sea of Galilee, He is crowded in on all sides by throngs who are astonished by his miracles and want to be healed of their various ailments. St Mark paints a very chaotic scene, so much so that Jesus asks his diciples to prepare a boat for him, so that the great number of people would not crush him.
Exhausted by the activity, including escaping up a mountain in the area and appointing the twelve, he decides to return home in Capernum, a seaside village, for what I imagine, He hopes would be a quiet restful evening. No such thing, as the crowd come together again, so that they could not even eat.
Reading this narrative, I am struck by the youthful exuberance of Jesus, and reflect that he is about 30 years of age. There are wonderful feelings of enthusiasm, excitement and hope when starting a new enterprise. I remember my own youth and childhood and the exhilaration I experienced in starting a new school and later a new job. It is the same in embarking on ministry. There is a wonderful romance with new beginnings.
As we grow older there is the risk of losing this buoyancy as we encounter the slings and arrows of the world. The initial enthusiasm can wane under the weight of life's challenges, leaving us jaded and wary. I think of persons I have met who lose that cheerfulness having encountered obstacles in life. We return home downcast. Yet failure is not the end of the journey, but a part of it.
It is through these setbacks that we learn resilience and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our purpose. By embracing failure as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block, we can regain our cheerfulness and enthusiasm, approaching life with renewed vigor and hope. This perspective allows us to transform adversity into growth, keeping the spirit of youthful exuberance alive throughout our lives.
Jesus returned home only to find the crowd followed him there. Instead of grumbling at a lack of time to eat, he welcomes them in and proceeds to have a teaching encounter. His ability to engage them was driven by a profound sense of mission.
By focusing on our own purpose and embracing a spirit of resilience, we can navigate the trials of life without losing the spark of our initial fervor. This narrative encourages us to revisit the energy and hope of our beginnings, allowing these qualities to inform and strengthen our ongoing journey.
If you find yourself weary and disheartened by the challenges you face, remember the example of Jesus. Approach each obstacle as a chance to grow, keeping your passion and enthusiasm alive.