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The Gospel Proclamation
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 ... 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.
Prayerful Awareness
Jesus lived a full life. In today’s Gospel proclamation we see the importance of renewing our mind, body and soul
Jesus tells His disciples who have come back after a session of ministering to the people, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while.”
Rest can be divided into three components; although one will contain the other two to a certain degree.
Physical Rest - God designed man’s body to sleep a certain number of hours per day. Modern research has found out that while 6 - 8 hours of sleep per day for a healthy human being is normal, anything more or less than this tends to be harmful.
Mental Rest - The mind is constantly at work. Various methods are used to relax or rest the mind. Concentration, meditation, a hobby which is totally different from that of one’s primary work, sport, reading a book are some of them.
Spiritual Rest - This is simply being in the presence of the Lord. We have to take the first step and depend entirely on the mercy of God to take us into His presence.
Scripture verses like “Where two or three are gathered in my name there am I” or various other promises found in the Bible can be appropriated to enter by faith into this experience.
“My Hour” is another priviledge - an open invitation to enter into this rest.
When loved ones die, we pray “Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord ...” But the reality is that we are invited to enter eternal rest here and now!
Let the Holy Spirit open our eyes to enter His rest. Harsh comments of Jesus like “Let the dead bury the dead” to the young man who tried to excuse himself from the invitation of Jesus can be understood when we realize the priviledge he was extended.
Let us take a pen and paper and write down how we spend a typical 24 hours. May the Lord help you to enter His rest.
Prayer Starter
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in Princes. (Ps. 118:9)
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