The Return of the Twelve

Today's Reflections

The Return of the Twelve 

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Mk 6:30-34

³⁰The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. ³¹He 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. ³²So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. ³³People 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.

³⁴When he 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.

Reflection:

Come away… and rest a while. Upon returning from mission, the apostles make a report to Jesus. Seeing them tired and weary, with almost no time to eat, Jesus sends them to a deserted place for some rest. But the people get ahead of them. Instead of getting irritated at this turn of events or resenting this disturbance of their privacy, Jesus attends to the people, being moved with pity for them, thus allowing the apostles to get their needed rest.

Jesus suggests that we take some time off our hectic schedules and everyday activities to be with God in prayer and in silence. This gives us the opportunity to listen to God speaking to us. In prayer, we are recharged with God’s grace and strengthened by God’s word as we open our minds and offer our hearts to God.

Our communion with God or “resting with the Lord” must lead us to be more committed to the well-being of God’s people. Our prayer to God must be translated into good works for our brothers and sisters. Our moments of rest should recharge and refresh us so that we can serve people better.

How do you spend your rest days

and your vacation?