Popular but not populist

The Roman Catholic Lectionary today features texts which relate how the public response to David’s success made life dangerous for him. The stories of Jesus healing spread and Mark tells us that he sought ways to make an exit from the crowds who were pressing in on Him. There is contradiction in these scenarios. David , as his story evolves would be grateful for the public support as he ruled as king. The mission of Jesus to bring the Kingdom can paradoxically be diffused by the roar of the crowd and the will of the mob.