Thoughts which drive me to Jesus, and the cross, and then to the world..

18 As Jesus was getting back into the boat, the man who was freed from the demons begged to go with him.
19 But Jesus would not let him. He said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man left and began to tell the people in the Ten Towns about what Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed. Mark 5:18-20 NCV

This is why, as a Christian sets out on his way of uninterrupted dealing with our Lord, his interior life grows and becomes more strong and secure. And he is led to engage in the demanding yet attractive struggle to fulfill completely the will of God. I might add that his not a path for a privileged few; it is a way open to everyone.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: For He hath visited and redeemed His people,
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us:
In the house of His servant David; As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets:
Which have been since the world began;
That we should be saved from our enemies:
And from the hand of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers:
And to remember His holy covenant;

The man, rescued from the clutches of pure evil, is told by Jesus that he has graduated from seminary, and now is being sent to his home, to share with what God (for that is what the reference Lord means here) has done, and the compassionate, intimate mercy shown to him. The man complies, with an odd twist, he redefines the term family in the widest possible way! He goes and share with them, the population of 10 very diverse cities of primarily non-Jewish peoples. People that moved there because of business, because of the military occupation, because of a thousand different reasons. It awaw san area so diverse, the people named it using a Greek name, not a Samaritan name, nor a Hebrew name,

Such is the kind of praise that wells up within us, that both St. Josemaria and William Loehe note (Loehe quoting Zacharias in Luke 1) as they consider the work done in the lives of the people of God.  There is nothing abnormal about spending time with God, and then desiring that others find they are able to share in such a blessing.

St. Josamaria describes it as an observer, (but it was his experience as well!) Zacharias/Koehe see it as it happens, even though it hadn’t fully happened yet, but the response is the same as the man going to Decapolis – look at what God has done! It is not a forced evangelism program, as they embrace the “demanding yet attractive struggle to fulfill compactedly the will of God.” Again, we have to realize where our desire comes from–it is not an obligation it is not something the pastor can manipulate, or program into his people. It come from them seeing God, talking to Him intimately, allowing Him to show you that you are loved. As you realize that wonderful love, as you realize the demons God’s rescued you from, hear his voice telling you when it is time to go…for this is what we are all called to do.. to live in Christ and go to our “family” and completely fulfill His will.

A will explained simply by Jesus, “go tell them what God has done..to you.”

So go spend some time with God – and let me know what happens next… as He surprises you with people who need to hear!

Josemaria Escriva. Christ is Passing by. (New York, Scepter, 2002( no. 199

“the Song of Zacharia Benedictus”, William Lœhe, Seed-Grains of Prayer: A Manual for Evangelical Christians, trans. H. A. Weller (Chicago: Wartburg Publishing House, 1914), 91.