We were dizzy with exhaustion and exhilaration when we gathered together again with the Lord. This was our first taste of the authority which lay naturally on the shoulders of our Master but which we had not received ourselves, until now. We had done what Jesus said and we had gone out to the people to heal and teach and cast out devils, two by two. Over and again the walls of the citadels of evil fell before our prayers and invocations: sickness, sin, grief, and sorrow fell from the poor, like rags, and the name of Jesus wrapped them in joy, health, goodness, and beauty. We had only to speak his name, with one acting, one praying, and the darkness gave way to the dawn. Even the deepest darkness of evil fell back before that name as we cast out the demons who tormented the poor souls who came to us possessed.
We returned to Jesus to tell him all that had taken place. Gathered around him like children we took turns to report on all of our experiences and as we heard all that had taken place for each person on that mission, we became gradually quieter. The extent of what had taken place and the vision unfolding before us was too awe-inspiring.
Come Away
If we had been swept up into the joy of the Kingdom, through our labors, perhaps we also began to sense that the tide of evil which gave way before us, might return again. Jesus’ cousin John was dead, beheaded by Herod. The friend of the Bridegroom was lost, the Voice who called out to all who would hear, to prepare the way for Him, was now silenced and the Lamb he had shown us was the One who would give himself up for us all.
There was always a crowd around the Lord though, and no time to reflect on what was happening. Then Jesus called us to the solitude and quiet our spirits needed,
“Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.”
It was a joy to climb into the boat and set off towards our peaceful beach and we made an easy journey through calm waters across the lake. We had just disembarked and made a place to rest onshore when we saw them approaching: more crowds, running, walking, even limping towards us in search of the Master. It was poignant really, Jesus was hardly ashore, and the people were pressing around him again, so many of them, from every town in the area.
Sheep Without a Shepherd
I watched my Lord as he stood by the shore. I looked up at his face as he wept silently, and tears flowed from my eyes too, for the pity I saw there. For a moment, looking back at the crowd I saw them as he saw them, and my heart ached with compassion. Then I heard him whisper, and it was like the voice in my heart, ‘My people are sheep without a shepherd.’
[Readings for Sunday Week 16: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34]
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Your poetic meditations are very uplifting.