The roar of the crowds

Both of today’s readings involve crowds. In the first reading (1 Samuel 18:6-9; 19:1-7), the crowds are acclaiming David (making King Saul murderously jealous). In the Gospel (Mark 3:7-12), our Lord has to protect himself from the enthusiastic crowds.

On the one hand, enthusiastic crowds are good thing. We want everyone to be enthusiastic about Christ and about godly ways.

On the other hand, a crowd that sings your praises one moment can easily hurt you the next.

As always, our focus should be on spreading the truth and the love of Christ as effectively as possible.

It is good when people like us and even better if they come to know Christ through us.

But our eyes must always be fixed on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so that we follow him, not the crowd.