Word to the Wise
Thursday, January 19, 2012 - Thursday in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Sam 18:6-9; 19:1-7 and Mark 3:7-12]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. [Mark]
Popularity comes with a price tag! Ask any celebrity who draws a large crowd. Some of them have to hire bodyguards. During a presidential election year, certain candidates may request protection services from the Secret Service! Jesus asks for a "get away boat!" This report of his popularity, in the Gospel of Mark, begins a section where Jesus' popularity adds to the tension between him and the religious authorities. Envy is as much a part of the drama as their objection to his attitude toward their vision of Jewish life. In so many ways, in politics or religion or other areas, it is a question of power and who has it and who doesn't! A quick look at the first scripture today concerning Saul's jealousy of David gives an example. Saul might be king but David is more popular. Popularity brings with it the perception that the popular person is a powerful person!
Of course, the gospel is not teaching that Jesus is powerful because he is popular (even if the religious authorities think so). He is popular because he is powerful, and this is what is frustrating to his opponents. They do not have his power, no matter what his popularity may be. The only way to alleviate their envy is to be lethal (as Saul was planning), and in the end, they act lethally. The irony in it all is that their lethal action in killing Jesus unleashes an even greater power. That power would not be destroyed by the Romans when they destroy the temple. Jesus' power continues to draw crowds! AMEN