Midrashing with Mark

That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Jesus has been working all day long.  The lines have been long.  Beloved child of God who was hurting after beloved child of God who was hurting appeared before Jesus.  It is like a moment when you are at a free community meal and see person after person who is struggling in this world.  Sometimes when you see how cruel the world can be to others it can feel like a punch in the gut and break your heart.  When you look into the eyes of someone who has suffered for day after day, you can practically feel the pain deep within your own soul.

I am not always sure what to make of the demon references in scripture.  I don't think of evil as personified in someone who has a red suit with a pitch fork.  But I do know that evil is a force in our world.  Evil that pushes people...beloved children of God...to the fringes and fray.  Evil that treats people...beloved children of God...as less than human.  Evil finds a face when we push others down to prop ourselves up...when we put ourselves at others...glorifying greed or treating people as a means to an end or make fun of people.  Part of what breaks my heart about the headlines in the world today is that we see these demons dancing in our midst every day.

So I get why Jesus needs to go to a deserted place and pray after all this.

But we sometimes get caught in a Messiah complex...trying to be Superman and Wonder Women trying to save the day, so we think that everything depends on us.

When and where do you try to see the pain that exists in the world?
When and where do you reach out to help, try to heal?
When and where do you cease, stop realizing the truth that it is not up to us to save the world but nor are we free to desist from trying?

This isn't about a balanced life...it is about the dance of faith in our lives...and it is in those moments where I think we find traces of grace.

May God's presence be with you now more than ever.