It is fair to say that Jesus was popular.  Massively popular.  Not only did his notoriety make him the most famous person to ever live, but it also made him a political enemy of Rome.  So why would the Roman Empire persecute and eventually execute a man whose message was wholly positive?  In short, Jesus was a threat to their power.  But what would be so threatening about healing the sick and preaching the word of God?  Like we hear in today’s Gospel, word was spreading that people were following a man who did not use violence to proliferate his message.  This was clearly a divergent path from the Roman Empire, not to mention the various imposters and zealots of the day.  Jesus was casting out demons, making the lame walk, and giving sight to the blind.  Jesus clearly had a powerful message, but to the Romans, he was stealing their thunder.  He traversed the entire region, spanning multiple modern day countries, gaining followers by the obvious miracles he performed, and is still the most important figure of all time.  Along his journey, he told the everyman, quite clearly, “Give to God what is God’s, but give to Caesar what is Caesar’s,” much to the chagrin of the ruling party.  Imagine someone spending time with commoners, calling out the big-wigs and fat-cats, spreading the message that life is larger than the government and taxes.  He taught us to expel our demons through Him, become fuller and better people through Him, to pick up our cross and transcend our suffering through Him.  He showed us that Love is more powerful than armies.  Shake off your shackles, cast out your curses, and defeat your demons.  Don’t just bear your suffering, pick up your cross and carry it forthrightly.  Transcend the hardships of life and be born again as a new person.  Love is the way.  Look at Rome now.  I think we won.