A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 6:30-34
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. 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. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. 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. When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
REFLECTION
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
We see the concern of Jesus for His followers. Responding to their chosen vocation of apostolic mission, the apostles had done and taught a lot. They were exhausted and Jesus knew it. They needed to rest a while in the presence of the Lord. He never leaves us and we need to reconnect and reenergize with Him. Jesus sanctifies our rest.
The opposite is also true. If we see someone exhausted and overworked, a great charity we can do is to help them or tell them to go rest and we will finish the work for them. In my internship years when we were “on call” we would finish our own work and then seek out the other interns who were behind, overwhelmed with a very sick patient or who desperately needed rest.
PAPA prays for priests. Have we considered the drivers of priestly fatigue? Are they like ours? Do they have someone to help them out? Is there some way we can ease their weariness? Instead of complaining, pray for them. Is there a way to ease their stress? If we have a talent, by all means, share it with the Church. Say “yes” when we are asked to do something to help them out.
The sole purp/ose for the existence of PAPA is to pray for priests. Our PAPA website has the prayer for priests that we recite daily (Here). Offer a rosary for them, praying a decade here or there or all at one time. Offer Mass. Quit complaining about the priest.
God promises those who are weary and burdened that He will give them rest. (Matthew:28-30).
He refreshes our souls as we lie down in green pastures (Psalm 23:2-3)
God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because He rested from all the work of creation. (Genesis 2:2-3)
May we all rest with God beside quiet waters. Take the time to rest and pray, for ourselves and others.
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