How can I reconcile the challenges of our modern world—where the crowding out of natural habitats mirrors the way the political populism inherent in the Executive Orders signed by the president often seems to #crowd out Jesus’ teachings—with the image of melting snow yielding to the grass in “The Glenn,” a quiet reminder that life can renew itself even in the face of disruption, as Jesus sought refuge from “the crowd, so that they would not crush him”❓
Gospel
Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.
A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.
Hearing what he was doing,
a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,
from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,
and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.
He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,
so that they would not crush him.
He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases
were pressing upon him to touch him.
And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him
and shout, “You are the Son of God.”
He warned them sternly not to make him known.
Lectio Divina Reflection on “the crowd, so that they would not crush him.“
The crowd is an undeniable force in human life, shaping cultures, movements, and ideologies. Yet, the Gospel reminds me that crowds are not inherently good or bad; their impact depends on their focus and purpose. Jesus, surrounded by crowds, never let their demands deter Him from His mission. He healed, taught, and challenged, but He also withdrew when the crowd’s presence risked distorting His purpose. How often do I let the noise of the crowd overshadow the still, small voice of God❓
In today’s world, the crowd often represents a rush toward immediate gratification or fleeting trends. Whether it’s through social media algorithms or political movements, the crowd amplifies voices that align with its desires. But this amplification can drown out the quieter, more persistent calls to justice, care for creation, and solidarity with the vulnerable. How do I discern when to step away from the crowd and listen to the voice of Christ, who calls me to something deeper❓
multiplied them for the hungry crowd.
Nature itself bears the burden of being crowded out. Highways carve through ecosystems, and urban sprawl consumes once-thriving habitats. The patterns of the natural world mirror human struggles; we crowd out the voices of the weak and the marginalized, forgetting that everything is connected. When I walk in “The Glenn,” where melting snow gives way to emerging grass, I see hope—a reminder that life can reclaim its space, even after being crowded out.
The crowd is not always a physical presence; it can also be the distractions, fears, and ambitions that vie for space in my heart. Jesus often stepped back from the crowd to pray, re-centering Himself on His Father’s will. Do I have the courage to follow His example, creating space for reflection and renewal, even when the crowd demands my attention❓
Ultimately, I wonder: does the crowd I follow lead me closer to Christ or further from Him❓ Today, I reflect on Jesus’ example of love and humility, even as He faced overwhelming demands. How can I learn to engage with the world without being consumed by it, as Jesus retreated from…
Highways, new plantations, the fencing-off of certain areas, the damming of water sources, and similar developments, crowd out natural habitats and, at times, break them up in such a way that animal populations can no longer migrate or roam freely.
FROM PARAGRAPH 35 of ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME