He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
The Fall of Public Man (1977) by Richard Sennett is a landmark sociological study on the erosion of public life and the rise of individualism, arguing that the boundary between public and private spheres has blurred, leading to a decline in political engagement and a focus on self-absorption. Sennett traces this shift from the 18th century, examining how urban society's evolution has diminished the "public man" and distorted personal development by making private life overly intense and public life less meaningful. A later edition includes an epilogue that extends this analysis to the digital age and social media."
Taijitu
I've copied the above directly from Google AI. I read Sennett's book in 1985 and have not forgotten its impact on me. I must find that later edition and read his further discussion of our present dilemma.
The boundary between public and private shifts continually, like the dark and light halves of the Taijitu. (The dots represent the presence of the opposite within their opposites.) Private and public mutate as often.
In today's gospel we find the public, aroused by the Lord's healing of everyone who came to him, regardless of their infirmity and its severity. He has caused quite a sensation and his disciples see an enormous opportunity. They may not know the exact nature of this opportunity but it's certainly too good to pass up.
Clearly the Lord has something else in mind, and it's summed up with a cryptic expression, "...for this purpose have I come." At the moment it entails preaching to nearby villages, and apparently healing people there. But his purpose will become more clear only as they follow the Lord to Jerusalem and Calvary.
The Life of Jesus must be a revelation -- an apocalypse -- of God's purposes which impact both dimensions of human life, the public and the private. Responding to the Word entails public action and personal response. This ancient mystery now revealed stops everyone in their tracks. If I fail to take significant time from the expectations and demands of others to ponder what it means to me, I risk losing the salvation I announce to others. In fact, the Gospel may become only another weapon against them.
Jesus had to serve the purpose of the One who had sent him. He was not his own man.
In our time, when employers pursue and track down their employees at anytime day or night, weekend or weekday, holiday or workday; depriving them of personal time and space, family and faith, the Gospel calls us to serve the purpose of Hound of Heaven who comprehends both light and dark, and does not destroy us.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.