Mk 6:30-34
The apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.
Jesus sent his apostles out two by two. He told them how to travel and what to do. In this passage they return and tell Jesus all they had done. After their work, Jesus knew they would need to recharge for what was coming next so, he responded to them by inviting them to come away to a deserted place to rest a while. Jesus is reminding all of us, that even when we are doing his work, it’s important for the health of our soul to rest.
Our souls and our actions are so intertwined, without resting as Jesus invites us to, things can get pretty difficult. We risk becoming unsure of why we’re doing what we’re doing but, we just keep doing it. Instead of life giving, activities become mechanical and draining. Our energy is spent and we are tired. If we continue, we risk becoming discouraged, withdrawing from activities and other people, feeling disconnected from God, and worse, becoming doubtful, depressed, and even hopeless. We check-out mentally. We quit. The devil will use our busyness, even busyness doing good works, to drive us to this point. Attending to our soul, by resting protects us from Satan’s plans.
Resting with Jesus re-invigorates us to do his work with joy and authenticity. We find we can do things we couldn’t possibly do on our own. In some cases, we can do even more with less labor. We are energized, able to patiently and courageously take on things that might seem impossible.
Resting gives us a sense of purpose and direction. It helps us stay in touch with what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. We realize the work we’re doing is Jesus’ work. Only when we take time to quiet ourselves and be still can we hear the inspiration he sends us. We can then serve him, not out of fear of failure or a need for self-gratification, we do things because of love, the love Jesus has for us, the love we have for him, and a desire to share that love with others. Our purpose for what we do is to love like Jesus does.
Resting helps to remind us how much we are loved by Jesus, that nothing will change the love he has for us. This keeps us from becoming discouraged in times we feel overwhelmed, overlooked, or rejected. Rather than quitting, resting gives us the ability to shake the dust off our feet and keep moving forward.
Resting is not just stopping what we’re doing to take a nap. It’s receiving an increase in God’s grace that re-charges us and refreshes our soul. Resting begins with accepting Jesus’ invitation to come away and rest a while. One way to do this that you may want to try, it to set aside about 20-30 minutes, every day to put yourself in the presence of Jesus. I like to do this is by using lectio divina (https://bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/lectio-divina-beginners-guide)
with a gospel passage. For me, meditating on a scene from the Gospel puts a picture in my mind that helps me stay focused and not get distracted.
When you are there with Jesus, share with him your gratitude, your wants and desires, and whatever is weighing on your heart and mind, and then listen to what he has to say through scripture, your conscience or an inspiration. Then let the time you spent with Jesus guide how you deal with the day to come.
So, if life seems a little messy right now, if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, like no one really cares, if the things you do seem burdensome and meaningless, if your energy is spent, please don’t check out. Don’t quit. Instead, come away with Jesus, be in his presence and rest awhile.
Blessings,
Deacon Ken