“Lord, teach me to be generous…to labor and ask not for reward. Save that of knowing that I do Your most holy will. Amen!” - Daily Reflections February 8,2015

CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SHY PEOPLE

 

In today’s Gospel, Mark narrates once more a typical day in the public ministry of the Lord — teaching the people, meeting the sick and healing them of their infirmities, expelling demons. One curious fact in the life of the Lord is that He always seems to “shy away” from the limelight every time the crowd gets excited over the wonders He performs. It’s not unusual to read in the Gospel how Jesus, after rounds of healing and miracles, withdraws to a lonely place in the desert.

       Today, Simon had to track down Jesus and, when found, told the Lord, “Everybody is looking for you!” (v. 37). It was the day after another instance of miraculous healings. Perhaps there was a band ready to serenade Him. The press might have been invited for a news conference. But Jesus was not interested. Instead, He said, “Let us move on to the neighboring village so that I may proclaim the good news there also.”

       Jesus here is not being aloof or painfully shy. He is not playing hard to get. The irony is, while Jesus often avoids the limelight, He does present Himself when needed, “Let us move on to the neighboring village, that I may proclaim the good news there also” (v. 38). In fact, many times in the Gospel, Jesus boldly calls attention to Himself and gives Himself titles like “I am the Good Shepherd,” “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life,” “I am the Bread of Life…” and so on.

       I believe Jesus here is teaching us something about self-promotion. Self-promotion is not bad. It can actually be a Christian duty. But self-promotion is good only when placed at the service of charity and duty. Otherwise, self-promotion becomes vanity, nothing but an ego trip, an ego massage, and therefore fruitless.

       Yes, Christians, broadcast yourself. Promote yourself. Mark out yourself. But only for the sake of service and charity — and that, in all

things, the Lord may be praised! Fr. Joel Jason

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Deep in your heart, answer these questions: Do I feel the need to call attention to myself? Do I seek self-promotion for its own sake?

 

“Lord, teach me to be generous…to labor and ask not for reward. Save that of knowing that I do Your most holy will. Amen!”