His heart was moved with pity for them… – Mark 6:34

       My father is a busy man. Aside from his meetings, project site visits in his construction business, he also actively serves in the ministry. He plays the keyboard for our parish and prayer community. He gives talks once in a while. With Mom, he heads the couples’ ministry of our community, and many more. Rest time is almost a luxury for him.

       But whenever my mom or any of his five children needs attention and help, he gets up from his bed without hesitation and takes care of our concern. He needs his rest but he won’t.

       In today’s Gospel, Jesus and His disciples were probably tired doing ministry work. Thank God they found a good place to rest and recharge. But even before they were fully rested, Jesus saw the crowd and His heart was moved with pity for them. Jesus had all the right to say, “Come back in a few hours, we’re still resting.” But He didn’t. Why? Because He knows that you can’t postpone love.

      Maybe you’re busy like Jesus and my dad. Go and rest. But when God moves your heart with compassion, get up and move.

Reflection: Are you postponing anything in your life? Obey God now. Delayed obedience is still disobedience.

Lord, when I’m tired of loving, grant me the grace to carry on.

St. Joseph of Leonissa, pray for us.

As I walked the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain, I learned anew what it means to offer sacrifices to the Lord. The pain in my feet was bearable and it gained a new meaning when I offered the trek as a sacrifice to God for the intentions of those I pray for. We can channel pain and suffering to good purposes, one of which is the power of intercessory sacrifice.

15 Brothers and sisters: Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind. 17 Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you. 20 May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the Blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord, 21 furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

R: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes my soul. (R) He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (R)

It is important that we go on a retreat and reflect on our life. By reflecting, we can make sense of our experiences. It is ideal to make time for this on a regular basis no matter what our calling may be. Spending time for reflection to improve our character is a sign of our commitment to and love for others. This will always bear good fruit.

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. 88 think: Jesus invites us, “Come away and rest awhile.” Do you accept His invitation and spend quiet time in His presence?

30 The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. 32 So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. 33 People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. 34 When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Read the Bible in one year  Acts 25-28

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

COME AND REST FOR A WHILE

We all know how it is to live busy lives. Our lives are determined by the clock. We race throughout the day attending to this or that, meeting that person, running errands, and attending to our duties. And then we ask ourselves at the end of the day, “Where did the time go?” Then we say, “Where did that week, month, year go?”

       Jesus knows what it’s like to be busy, but He, too, knows the value of rest and recreation. Of all the Gospels, we see the humanity of Jesus most evident in the writings of Mark. Today’s Gospel is no exception.

       The Apostles returned from their mission and were glad of what they had achieved. They reported everything to Jesus who, aware of their fatigue and need for rest, told them to come and “rest for a while.” They were to go to a deserted place and take a time-out — for they didn’t have time to eat. There was no shortage to their work. Many people were coming in great numbers.

       The words of Jesus brought comfort to the disciples. Those same words apply to us: Take a rest, come to Jesus, and rest for a while. This is the beauty of our faith. We can take a time-out and be with the Lord, to listen and to receive counsel from Him. Often, we make ourselves busy because we are afraid of what silence can reveal to us. Some, sadly, are prone to be workaholics, which has dangerous side effects. Perhaps Jesus is saying to you today through the Gospel, “Hey, I know how busy you have been and now I call you to come and rest for a while!”

        Sometimes we can be our own worst enemies and deprive ourselves of the necessary things in life. So I say to you, it’s OK to rest. The work that is put on hold for a while will still be there. And in fact, you will be more energized and strengthened if you rest for a while. Rest can mean anything from a prayer period, vacation, drive to the countryside, a relaxing meal or bonding with friends and family. All these are means by which we can come to Jesus and rest for a while. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

---------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ----------

Are you busy? Do you need to come and rest for a while in Jesus’ presence?

Lord, You know that my day can often be filled with endless duties and activities. Help me to find more time to rest for a while. Strengthen me and refresh me, so that I can be a good servant for Your Kingdom. Amen.