“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
Mark 6:34
The Twelve had just returned from going about the countryside
preaching the Gospel. They were tired. Jesus, in His compassion,
invites them to come away with Him to rest for a while. So they get
in a boat to cross over to a deserted place. But when the people
hear about this, they hurry on foot to the place that their boat
was heading. So, when the boat arrives, there is a crowd awaiting
them.
Of course, Jesus does not get upset. He does not get discouraged by
the burning desire of the people to be with Him and the Twelve.
Instead, the Gospel relates that when Jesus saw them, “his heart
was moved with pity,” and He began to teach them many things.
In our own lives, after serving others well, it’s understandable to
desire rest. Even Jesus desired this for Himself and His Apostles.
But the one thing that Jesus permitted to “interrupt” His rest was
the clear desire of the people to be with Him and to be fed by His
preaching. There is much to learn from this example of our
Lord.
For example, there are many times when a parent may only want to be
alone for a while, and yet family concerns arise that need their
attention. Priests and religious may also have unexpected duties
that arise from their ministry that can, at first, appear to
interrupt their plans. The same can be said for any vocation or
situation in life. We may think we need one thing, but then duty
calls and we find we are needed in a different way.
One key to sharing in the apostolic mission of Christ, be it to our
families, Church, communities or friends, is to be ready and
willing to be generous with our time and energy. It’s true that
prudence will dictate the need for rest at times, but at other
times the call to charity will supersede what we perceive as a
legitimate need for our own rest and relaxation. And when true
charity is demanded of us, we will always find that our Lord gives
us the needed grace to be generous with our time. It is often in
those moments when our Lord chooses to use us in ways that are
truly transforming for others.
Reflect, today, upon the true needs of those around you. Are there
people who would greatly benefit from your time and attention
today? Are there needs that others have that will require you to
change your plans and to give of yourself in a way that is
difficult? Do not hesitate to give generously of yourself to
others. In fact, this form of charity is not only transforming for
those whom we serve, it is often one of the most restful and
rejuvenating activities we can also do for ourselves.
My generous Lord, You gave of Yourself without reserve. People
came to You in their need, and You did not hesitate to serve them
out of love. Give me a heart that imitates Your generosity and help
me to always say “Yes” to the charitable work to which I am called.
May I learn to find great joy in serving others, especially in
those unplanned and unexpected circumstances of life. Jesus, I
trust in You.
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Featured image above: Christ and His Disciples in the Garden
of Gethsemane By Rembrandt, via Wikimedia Commons
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