"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." - Mark 6:33
My wife will attest that I am a stickler for efficiency. If we have errands to run, I plan the most efficient route with no room for backtracking. Something has to be really important for me to go out of my way to get it. Sometimes that efficient attitude burns me. Like when we are on a family outing to a theme park and I'm so caught up in getting us to all the rides that I don't take time to enjoy the company of my family. Oftentimes when something happens that makes me go out of my way, we end up doing something we never would have done. Those are the best adventures.
In today's Gospel we see the people going out of their way for an encounter with Jesus. Let's not allow our faith lives to get caught in the efficiency predicament. One thing I have done to "go out of my way" is teach my family to not leave the pew until the last note is played. It may seem simple but not rushing out of Mass the minute it's over gives room for God to speak to us in the final moments. It also keeps us around for conversations with people afterward. We have made lifelong friends at church with this simple practice. As we know from Matthew's Gospel (25:31-46) an encounter with God's people is an encounter with God.
When was the last time you went out of your way to encounter God?
Lord, help me to put aside the busyness of life in order to make room for more time with You.
Reflection by:
Davis Watts
Did you know...
Davis Watts is the Music Director at Spirit FM 90.5 and father of two children, Madelyne who passed away at 22 while battling Cystic Fibrosis and Ethan who continues to fight this deadly disease every day. He is also step-father of two boys, Liam and Graham. Davis and his wife Abby are parishioners at Nativity in Brandon. Davis holds a degree in Religious Studies from Saint Leo University and is an accomplished musician. Davis is a passionate speaker, knowledgeable on the Catholic faith, marriage, and music. You can hear him on Spirit FM weekdays from 10am-3pm.
