Epiphany V
We continue in our continuous reading of the Gospel according to Mark -- such a lot is happening, and we're still in the first chapter! The disciples have been called, and have been walking around their home country joining in the proclaiming that God's reality (the kingdom of God) is now, and that this recognition calls us all to new ways of living, to repentance and transformation.
This proclamation prompts a deep response in the people. A deep need for healing is made evident -- when is it not? Everybody brings out that which needs to be healed and made whole -- the sick, those who are possessed by that-which-does-not-give-life: everything! Jesus, and those following him and joining in his work, have been busy. Simon Peter's mother-in-law is healed of a physical ailment, and this truly prompts the word-of-mouth campaign: the presence and words and hands of that teacher from the synagogue seem to have power!
So, they heal all who come to them.
And then they're tired. They rest. (Probably not Simon's mother-in-law, who is probably still cooking for them all at this point... but that's another homily.) Jesus gets up early to go pray, and he goes to a deserted place. He often does this -- he knows the balance needed in this life: places of refreshment and quiet and communion with God, quiet places within and without where claims on time and attention and energy can be released into God's eternal silent communion.
They come and find him, of course, and they utter the truest words I know in the Biblical witness: "Everyone is searching for you."
Into the truth of that deep need, Jesus gives an interesting answer. Yes, everyone in this town is searching for (Me), and we could stay here quite usefully and comfortably for some time. (Simon's mother-in-law cooks a nice meal.) We could stay where we have been welcomed, and where it is draining, yes -- all that healing of the sick! -- but the social contract is understood. We're rock stars at the moment.
But, let's go to other towns, to other places, and proclaim the good news of God's healing reality and difficult truths and presence -- let's keep moving, like the restless, creating spirit of God, for, "...that is what I came out to do."
Rest and refreshment, and restless seeking out of the strange and the stranger. Always speaking the truth of the word of God -- being the truth of that Word, actually -- no matter what words are called for, for the task and for that communion in a new place.
St. Paul understood that in his own life. We read -- also somewhat continuously today -- in his first letter to the little gathering in Corinth, where Paul famously boasts that he's allowed to boast as long as he boasts in the Lord, and he boasts that he has 'become all things to all kinds of different people.' The Truth is sublime, eternal, beyond language, and not captured in a single set of words or ways of being, and is communicated in different ways to different people, for their understanding. Paul does all this personality-splitting (difficult business to remain whole) for what he calls the sake of the Gospel.
A sometime-mentor of mine told me, "Yes, Mark, but it was Paul's bodily, unifying experience of the power of the risen Christ that allowed him to be 'all things to all people.'" Speaking a word of healing into a fractured world, a fractured self, a fractured society can be, itself, a fracturing experience, and sometimes no amount of rest and 'going to a quiet place' will restore or put it quite back together.
Everybody is searching for you.
But, as the angelic visitors are constantly saying to us: Fear not. For, the unifying, truth-embodying power of the risen Christ will always come along with you, proclaim with you, unify and heal you, and show you what peace looks and feels like, and where it is to be found. In fact, it is this true and lively Word within you that is speaking, and within which you live, and move, and have your deepest being
Everybody is searching for you; seek, and you will find.