Today's Gospel

Withdraw from the World

Welcome back to Radical and Relevant, where each day we explore the genius of the gospel, looking for a word or a phrase or an idea that the Holy Spirit uses to capture our attention, to stir our imagination, to help us focus in on living the gospel practically that day. Today's reading is from the Gospel of Mark 3:7-12. Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed, also from Galilee and Jerusalem, and from beyond the Jordan and from about Tyra and Sidon, a great multitude, hearing all that he did came to see him. And he told his disciples to have a boat ready because of the crowd, lest they should crush him. For he had healed many so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. And whenever the unclean spirits beheld him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God, and he strictly ordered them not to make him known." What jumps out at you today? Was there a word or a phrase or an idea? For me, it's just that second word of the reading. The opening line of the reading, "Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea." That second word withdrew. Jesus withdrew. Step back.

Again, because I've just finished slowing down the speed of joy and I have that on my mind and in my heart and I'm trying to live it. And in order to slow down a speed of joy, you have to withdraw at certain times, from certain situations, from certain people, from the hustle and bustle of daily life, you have to withdraw to pray. You have to withdraw from the insanity to spend time with those you love. And we see that example with Jesus over and over again. You see him stepping back from the craziness, the busyness, the manic nature of the culture, even at that time, and withdrawing to quiet places to be alone, to pray, and to be with his disciples, to spend time with his inner circle. So in what way is God calling you today to withdraw? What is he calling you to withdraw from? Sometimes he sends us forth, sometimes he calls us back, calls us to withdraw from things. Ask God to set that question before God to say, "God, what are you calling me to withdraw from?" It might take you a few days to hear His voice, but constantly calling us to new things, calling us to withdraw. Have a great day, and remember, Be Bold, Be Catholic.