SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 18, 2021

MASS READINGS

A reading of the holy Gospel according to Mk 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 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 by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”

The beautiful innocence of children allows one to stop and examine our lives as we see it from the other end of the spectrum of aging.

The apostles were tired and so Jesus advised that they rest in a deserted place. They had no time to even eat.

Our lives can be so hectic, volunteering for this, preparing to do that, planning trips or parties and staying busy all day long. Do we make time for conversation with the Lord? Do we make time for our family? Do we make time to rest in the Lord?

Just recently I was asked about death from my 8 year old grandson. My 6 year old grandaughter had many questions about Mass. Every answer brought another question and every question helped me better understand my beliefs. And spending time, one on one, helped me draw from their innocence and talk about God while we rested from slides, swings, wrestling and swimming.

During our hectic moments turn to God and find time to rest in the silence. Relaxation is a time to recuperate from wear and tear, be reenergized and seek Jesus. Funny thing, God does not need to rest, nor needs to be recharged and He is always there giving us comfort and covering us with His infinite love.

However, there may be a time when we are called to do the Lord's work, though we are tired and we might need to put aside our plans. When the Holy Spirit beckons we will be provided with the means and the ways to carry out what He wants us to do.

God Bless You.