Mark 6:31
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.
Have you ever felt that sense of burnout? Most of us have at one time or another. It might be from school work, pressures from your job, or even at home or church. Life happens and in trying to cope with things, the pressure can grow. Other times, the goals we set are sometimes unattainable or rarely met, and you wonder, "is what I'm doing really making a difference?"
The last few Sundays, we've been reading Mark's gospel and the challenges and opportunities that face the disciples in their ministerial work. The passage this weekend finds Jesus in a gathering with his disciples. He had sent them out to do ministry work, and they were reporting back to him all that they'd done. It's was like a convening of pastors. Jesus said that they needed some rest, so ordered them to find some time to relax. But the people kept coming and the work was so tremendous that they didn't even have time to eat. The work and ministry was nonstop, and even though they were tired, Jesus felt pity on them, comparing them to a sheep without a shepherd.
We occasionally even see this with our local clergy. The work never stops. Someone is always in need. The pressure to meet the needs of the parish and the people can be sometimes overwhelming. Our priests are there to be Jesus for you-- to give you comfort in times of distress; to give advice when you need a positive or even challenging word; to bring you along in your faith walk—gently but firmly guiding you along the way. We need to be patient and understanding (and the same goes with them on occasion!)
We, the leaders of our families and workplaces, and our priests and churchworkers, know what God has called us to. We have accepted that challenge and opportunity with a joy-filled and grateful heart. We have given gifts of time and talent to serving God and his people. Remember to pray for our priests, that they have the strength and courage to continue to serve you with love and compassion. Pray also for our seminarians and those being called to the priesthood, that they may courageously live the gospel in all they do.
