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"He said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.'" – Mark 6:31

When you and I go through stressful situations at home or work, we probably want to take time alone to decompress. Some people like to go for a walk or work out at those times. If you're a parent, especially with little ones, that "alone" time is valuable because it's extremely rare. The kids demand your attention. They need to be fed, do their homework, and get ready for bed. Then, when you finally have a few free moments, you're too tired to enjoy them. 

In last week's Gospel from Mark, Jesus instructed His disciples to go out in pairs to preach, teach and cure. This week, they return to Jesus and share all they had accomplished. After the update, He instructs them to take some time away for themselves, to rest and recover. He knew that they would need that rest to prepare for future missions. Those would come quickly, as the people who followed Jesus were hungering for His words and all the great deeds they heard that He was doing. They chased Jesus to the other side of the lake with the hopes that He would give them what they wanted.  He saw them and had great pity for they "were like sheep without a shepherd. 

Despite being tired, He desired to be there for them. This serves as a lesson for clergy. Bishops, priests and deacons need time to rest, a day off once and awhile, so that when we're called into service, we're ready to go. By virtue of our baptism, all Christians are called to serve and work in the Lord's vineyard. But, we also need time to rest. I've encountered people who don't do this and end up burning out. They work hard, but they haven't taken care of themselves physically or spiritually. 

If possible, consider taking a weekend spiritual retreat that might be offered by your parish or the Diocese. If you don't have a weekend, try to spend just a few minutes each day reading God's Word in the Bible. Just five to ten minutes a day devoted to God can be a daily retreat which will strengthen you for the next journey. 

Today's reflection is by...

Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes is the fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg. Prior to his appointment to the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Bishop Parkes served as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee from 2012-2016. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Orlando on June 26, 1999. Before answering the call to the priesthood, Bishop Parkes worked for several years in Tampa's banking industry. 

It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you - John 15:16

I remember recently sitting in front of the Eucharist and I felt like a sponge soaking up all of Jesus' gaze I could get!  I was really thirsty for him, yet it was hard for me to sit in silence because I was restless.  It can be hard for us to sit in front of the Tabernacle.  Sometimes we feel restless, other times we feel unworthy or we feel nothing at all. We make excuses for why we do not have time to sit with Jesus, while other times we may just forget that he really loves to sit with us in the chapel!  For my reflection, I am using some lyrics from a song by Alanna Boudreau. This song, called Anxious One, reminds me of how Jesus feels for us in the Blessed Sacrament, never forcing us to spend time with him but always inviting!   "Are you scared of me? I don't want to hurt you, please, believe. I don't have plans for your undoing. Please. Believe. Please. Let me. Let me love you. Do you hide from me?..."  "I will abide, and my love remains free. O, anxious one. I know you better than"... "anyone." O, guarded one. I love you better than"... "anyone."

What is stopping you from spending time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament? How can you overcome this obstacle?

Father, please reveal the gentle and tender love and mercy that your Son Jesus has for us.

Reflection by:

Austin Smith

Did you know...

Austin Smith is a seminarian in his first year at St. John Vianney Seminary in Miami. His home parish is Nativity in Brandon.