Jesus thwarts attempts to kill Him and miraculously heals multitudes in the countryside. Every Catholic man can grow in happiness by seeking the Gift of Knowledge from the Holy Spirit so he can more fully rely on the Spirit and Sacraments for true wisdom and power and by building the Virtue of Prudence so he can wisely seek Christ’s protection from the Evil One.
Commentary
Following several intense conflicts with Jesus, the Pharisees and Herodians forget their rivalry and secretly plot to utterly destroy Jesus. Jesus, aware of their secret schemes, prudently withdraws from Capernaum out into the countryside by the Sea of Galilee. Because of His authoritative teaching and miraculous healings, Jesus was gaining widespread interest from people across Israel and from the Gentile lands, confirming His universal call; huge crowds follow Him.
The crowds are so large and desperate that, as they surge to draw close to Jesus, there is a real danger that people could be hurt; Jesus, able to remove Himself at will from dangerous situations (Lk 4:29-30), perhaps was more concerned about injuries to others. Foreseeing the danger, Jesus prudently comes up with an elegant solution: He has a boat at the ready to take Him and the disciples out into the safety of the Sea of Galilee.
Jesus heals many of the ill, so desperate that they seek to draw close to Him and touch him, because they realize Jesus radiates a mysterious and miraculous “power” (Lk 6:19). Jesus, immune from illness, is never infected with disease despite the nearly continuous contact with extremely sick people, many with contagious diseases. Others, possessed and controlled by demons, are forced by their demons to fall down and shriek, strangely exclaiming the prophetic truth that Jesus is the “Son of God.”
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Be awed by Jesus as He heals the masses: full of Human Charisma and radiating Divine Presence, the desperate multitudes seek to draw close, and have the chance to touch Jesus; the perfection of Prudence, Jesus carefully examines circumstances and develops contingencies to protect His men, readying a boat for escape; Divine Power, Jesus heals every kind of disease (CCC 1503-1510) and casts out demons from tormented souls, instantaneously renewing the ill and possessed to perfect health.
Rely upon the Spirit and the Sacraments for true wisdom and power
Realize: While there have been many men who have built movements across the centuries with promises of special wisdom or power, every one of them dies and their influence fades. In contrast, Jesus continues to draw billions to Himself two millennia after His Passion, Resurrection and Ascension, freely giving the grace of supernatural wisdom and power through the Spirit and Sacraments to those who believe and follow Him; every Catholic man can be blessed by the confidence of knowing he follows Jesus, the only true source of Divine Wisdom and Power.
Believe: Reflect upon the Mysterious Sacraments of Christ (CCC 774-776, 1114-1116, 1504) and the Gifts of the Spirit (CCC 1830-1831).
Pray: Holy Spirit, give me the Gift of Knowledge so I confidently know and rely on the Spirit and Your Sacraments to give me the wisdom and strength to live a heroic and happy life of love.
Be Prudent and seek Christ’s protection from the Evil One
Realize: Today, many scoff at demons (atheists), others are fascinated by demons (occult, horror films, tv shows, video games, books), and some even worship demons (Satanists, witches). Jesus has Divine Knowledge of the reality of Satan and the evil fallen angels because He is a Person of the Trinity and created them, and He alone has the Divine Power to engage and defeat them.
Believe: Reflect upon Satan and Demons (CCC 391-395).
Pray: Jesus, Crusher of Satan, help me build the Virtue of Prudence so I vigilantly watch for and recognize the attacks of Satan, use reason to avoid and reject Satan’s attacks, and prudently now ask You to deliver me from the Evil One (CCC 2850-2854).