The Gospel of Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
Let us Pray:
Everlasting God we pray that all who come into your church that they may be enabled to renew their relationship with you and may find in You rest, peace, strength, grace, and most of all your abiding presence. Help us to be outward looking that through our love and understanding we may share our faith and the Gospel of your Son Jesus Christ with those who we love and live amongst. This we pray in your Name. Amen.
Give It a Rest: In the fast-paced Gospel of Mark, where events often happen “immediately,” it’s striking when Jesus tells the disciples to rest. Jesus encourages them to get away by themselves. While rest is essential the message here goes deeper. The disciples’ success isn’t solely about accomplishments; it’s about their relationship with the Lord. Like the apostles, we often feel hurried and harried. Our world lacks breathing room, and interruptions abound. And like the crowds, we seek healing, whether it’s physical ailments or the deeper wounds of the soul. Sometimes, even in our busy lives, we need to pause and reconnect with our spiritual center. Jesus’ invitation remains: “Come go into a deserted place, and rest awhile.” In today’s world, may we find solace in His compassion. Jesus’ healing ministry isn’t merely symbolic; it’s a piece of salvation. When Jesus heals people, it’s not just about physical restoration; it’s about wholeness, spiritual, emotional, and physical. His acts demonstrate God’s love and care for every aspect of our lives. Remember, Jesus’ love reaches us even in our weariness. May we rest in His grace and extend compassion to others. So, rest a while, all by yourselves. Yes, in case you missed it, Jesus really means it. So, as you are relaxing, those plans you had made for your life you cannot worry if they are interrupted. We have all experienced the interruption of those plans by circumstances that changed or the unexpected that happened. Every one of us could probably say about today’s gospel, that is all about me. That describes my life. Today’s gospel describes the tension in which we live. And it is the same tension in which Jesus and his disciples lived. So. in closing listen to the words of Jesus, rest and relax so tomorrow you can go out into the world refreshed and ready to spread the Good News..
Let us Pray: Thank You, Father, for Your Word and for helping me to recognize how quickly You can be pushed out of my life. Help me to change my attitude from prioritizing the urgent things in life to that which is of eternal value. Help me to recognize that keeping the eyes of my heart on You is the more important thing in life. Refresh my weary soul today I pray, as I abide in You and rest in Your love. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Reflections by Bob 