Mark 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."
He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."
What a crazy and busy week for Jesus and his disciples! So many people to preach to. So many people to heal. So many demons to cleanse from the possessed! Now it's time for much needed rest. Jesus suggests to his disciples to go away to a deserted place and rest for a while. Unfortunately, such isolation and rest is short lived. The crowds find them, demanding more of their time and energy. Now I know what our priests and clergy feel like!! So many people to help but not enough hours in the day, or energy in the body, to minister to everyone. Like Jesus and his disciples, doing God's work becomes emotionally and physically draining. Our Lord understood the need to balance time between work and rest. We simply cannot keep going on and on in activity without an occasional nap or time alone in prayer and meditation.
Rest and rejuvenation is essential when engaging in any type of work. So many people forget this. They hype themselves up on coffee and other stimulates. They don't get the recommended 8 hours of sleep per night. During the day, they walk around as if comotose zombies oftentimes irritable and unresponsive. When people do sit down to "rest" it usually involves sitting in front of a television screen or enjoying a few cocktails with friends during happy hour. All of these ways of rest and relaxation are fine. However, why don't we rest and rejuvenate with Our Lord? Here are some ideas:
Rest and rejuvenation is essential when engaging in any type of work. So many people forget this. They hype themselves up on coffee and other stimulates. They don't get the recommended 8 hours of sleep per night. During the day, they walk around as if comotose zombies oftentimes irritable and unresponsive. When people do sit down to "rest" it usually involves sitting in front of a television screen or enjoying a few cocktails with friends during happy hour. All of these ways of rest and relaxation are fine. However, why don't we rest and rejuvenate with Our Lord? Here are some ideas:
- Spend time alone in front of the Blessed Sacrament adoring our Lord in peace and quiet.
- Attend a weekend retreat where you can rest in silence.
- Pray the rosary in a quiet place like in a favorite sofa or even on the bed. (For me, the rosary is one of the best sleep aides!)
- Cozy up with the bible or a book by a spiritual writer. Reading is an awesome way to relax! (I always keep my Amazon Kindle within easy reach.)
- Cook a simple meal using ingredients used in biblical times (fish, herbs, bread, etc.) Accompany this with a nice glass of red wine. Dine by candlelight.
- Spend some time in mental prayer. Pray for conversion and healing of souls. Pray for our priests and religious. Pray for those who do not believe.
Even though we may not be able to rest for long because of the busyness of our lives, it's still something we should add to our "To Do" list. I know some of my greatest epiphanies occur when I'm fully relaxed. I may think of an idea while in the hot shower or immersed in an aromatherapy bath. Many times I've awakened in the middle of the night with an idea that I will write down in my journal. For me, rest stimulates my mind. Rejuvenation is important to my spiritual well-being.
Let's take time to rest like Jesus and the disciples!
-J.
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