Thursday 23 January

1 Samuel 18:6-9, 19:1-7; Psalm 56:2-3, 9-14; Mark 3:7-12

The crushers

I once had the joy of going to an opera in the Caracalla Baths, Rome. Crowds waited outside for the gates to open. Then the people surged forward; I was afraid of being carried off my feet. In today’s gospel, crowds from all over follow Jesus. He asks the disciples to arrange for a boat to be ready so he would not be crushed by the many wanting to touch him. Physical crushing is one thing; feeling put down and crushed is another. May I not be a “crusher” of any kind today.