The crowds tried to prevent Jesus from leaving them. The crowds were unknowingly acting in opposition to the Father's will, for the Father sent Jesus to announce the Gospel to the towns of Judea (Lk 4:43). It is certainly a good thing that the crowds wanted Jesus to remain in their midst. But apparently they wanted Jesus to remain to meet their desires for healing rather than to do His Father's will.
At another point in His public ministry, a crowd of Samaritans in the town of Shechem likewise "begged [Jesus] to stay with them awhile" (Jn 4:40). On this occasion, Jesus did remain and "stayed there two days" (Jn 4:40). The Samaritans came to faith in Jesus as "Savior of the world" through hearing His words for themselves (Jn 4:41-42). Like Mary of Bethany, the Samaritans apparently wanted only to listen to Jesus' words (Lk 10:41-42).
Now that Jesus has risen, it is indeed better for us that He has ascended (Jn 16:7). For now He does constantly remain with us. Jesus is not hard to find. He is in the Eucharist, in the Tabernacle, in the Holy Spirit, in His Word, in His people, in the Sacraments. He is not hiding from us; rather, He is hiding for us.
At times, we try to prevent Jesus from leaving; at other times, we aren't interested in staying with Him when He wants us to remain by His side. Why do we want Jesus in our life? Do we want Jesus in our life for the same reason Jesus wants to be in our life? Do we want Him to remain with us the same way He wants to remain with us? Our answer will reveal the depth of our relationship with Jesus.
| PRAYER: | Father, give me an insatiable hunger for Jesus. |
| PROMISE: | "Happy the nation whose God is the Lord." –Ps 33:12 |
| PRAISE: | Jesus delivered Pete from drug addiction. Pete now has dedicated himself to spreading the Word of God. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College