Resting in and with Jesus
Brethren, for a couple of days, we have reflected and learnt very important lessons from David. We switch on to his son Solomon now. His kingship starts with an encounter with God and God telling him to ask whatever he wants and will be given. Solomon asks one of the most treasured things on earth and in heaven: wisdom, that is, the ability of right judgement and discerning between good and evil and thus doing good. God was really pleased with this and in fact gave him everything even what he didn't ask for. Perhaps today ask yourself, what do you ask of the Lord? What is your priority? Is what you ask good for you and for all people as well as promoting the kingdom of God? Brethren, most of our prayers may not be answered because they are not our priority in life, because God sees that what we ask will lead us astray, or because they will not promote love of oneself and the other, or perhaps they will not promote his kingdom and above all, they are not according to his will. As Christians, we need to set and discern our priorities right when we are praying. Most of us would ask for riches, power, fame and many others, while we leave the most fundamental things important for our spiritual life and our Christian living together. We also need wisdom to discern between good and evil and do good. Today, let's pray that in all our prayers, we will set our priorities right, and maybe as we learn from today's Gospel, we can always ask to rest in and with Jesus.
In today's Gospel, after the apostles had returned from their pastoral work and as they told their story, Jesus tells them to come and rest with him though it was not possible because the crowd was much and looked like sheep without a shepherd, and so Jesus and his disciples had to attend to them, teaching, and preaching to them the good news in spirit and truth.
Jesus had sent his disciples on a mission and the disciples opened their hearts to share their experiences with Christ: their challenges, the miracles, the excitement, and the changes brought about in their own selves. Like the disciples, we recap, (and we should do it daily) our daily experiences every evening as we share our joys and struggles and look for signs of his accompaniment throughout that day. Some days, we thank him for the miracles we witnessed; other days, when we feel the cross more poignantly, we thank Jesus for the suffering he has allowed. Always, we express our gratitude for his presence, recognizing that the good we do is his, and the evil is ours.
Jesus must have been excited to hear from the disciples about their mission activity, but he also knew the importance of rest. We need rest always from what we have been doing and today's Jesus teaches us how to spend our rest. He invited the disciples to “come away and rest” with him. Jesus asks us to stop sometimes as well, to recharge our spiritual and emotional batteries. Our rest might be a stop in the Adoration chapel for some peaceful silence, a “time out” from the computer and phone to read a good book, a nature walk, or a literal eyes-closed rest. He asks us to do all these things “with him.” Do you rest with Him, or is there any other way you spend your rest?
Jesus and his disciples could not rest as planned When His Heart Was Moved with Pity: Imagine the concern, the tenderness, and the compassion in Christ’s eyes, as he looked upon the crowd so in need of instruction. And what disappointment the disciples must have felt! There would be no rest for the moment. God knows what we need at all times. It doesn’t matter whether we are actively engaged in life or resting, as long as we strive to discern the Lord’s will and act accordingly. Our rest should be in line with God's will.
God's will should take precedence in our lives. We need rest but even that rest should be in Jesus and according to God's will. Many times, people in authority, especially religious leaders, tend to have designated time for rest and need no disturbance. Jesus today challenges us that love and service of others is very fundamental, not rest. We need to keep on doing the will of God without ceasing especially in loving and serving others. St. John Paul II taught what he called the law of the gift: “We become most truly human in the measure in which we go out of ourselves and give ourselves for the sake of others.” This means we find true meaning and joy in our lives precisely to the degree that we give our lives away to God and 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. May Sts Blaise and Ansgar continue to pray for us.
Let us Pray.
Jesus, thank you for the experience of your love and tenderness toward me. Thank you for listening to me, for receiving me whenever I come to you, and for inviting me to rest in you. Give me the strength to continue loving, even when I am tired of loving and serving. I want to simply gaze into your eyes and, from there, learn to see the people and reality around me as you do. Open my eyes and my heart. Thank you, Lord, for your shepherding love. Amen
Be blessed.
No comments:
Post a Comment