In Him is Rest

Today’s Gospel Text: The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. Mark 6:30-35

Reflection: One of the most beautiful things to see and behold is the relationship between a parent and a child.  In this relationship the child, many a times, longs to share with the parent what he or she has done and accomplishes.

A good parent brings out the best in the child by listening to them patiently and then accordingly motivating them, advising them and where need correcting them gently. 

The human nature does not just unburden by sharing, In fact, though it is key reason, yet it should be the last thing to do. The greatest blessings that can accrue, due to this sharing with the right person, are that of learning in return for ones service.  In the process, one who has put on this role also learns from the other, even if it is a small child.

But to whom can we go for the elixir of life; a word that is really helpful and truth, even if it means just to share, so that in return we could  have the right kind of reactions or approvals? 

No wonder St. Peter having tasted the masters’ wisdom had this to say to Jesus: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." John 6:68-69

This reflection on the sure wisdom of Christ should enable us to seek a discipline, if we are not already doing it, that is, to return to him at the end of our every labor whether in his vineyard or outside of it. 

Perhaps, that end of the day could be the time before we go to sleep, but seeking his rest, in him and with him, before we go to sleep, could be a strong message we send to one of the greatest bodily desires that so easily overpowers us, so that we prefer the Lord’s rest and value it more than what the bed can offer.

Prayer:  Hear us O Lord and give rest to the weary, and speak; in you is repose that we should listen. (cfr. Isa 28:12)

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

The Parables

Scripture/Bible: And he began to speak to them in parables. "A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a pit for the wine press, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. 2 When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 And they took him and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Again he sent to them another servant, and they wounded him in the head, and treated him shamefully. 5 And he sent another, and him they killed; and so with many others, some they beat and some they killed. 6 He had still one other, a beloved son; finally he sent him to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 7 But those tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' 8 And they took him and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. 9 What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants, and give the vineyard to others. Mark 12:1-9

Reflection:  Why does God have to speak to us in Parables? Is it because he doesn’t want us to understand the mysteries of his kingdom? Could it be true that he doesn’t want all of us to be saved?

What would happen if Christ would have told us things plainly? Could it be possible that we would have understood things better and we would know his will and his ways?

Jesus has spoken to us plainly where we need to know plainly and he has spoken in parables where we need to know things from the richness of his kingdom.

One primary reason I see is that we would not know the richness of the mystery of God, which is best brought out through the parables of Jesus.  It offers us a storehouse of wealth and meaning.

It is an invitation to trust God in interpreting them because our sinful self can draw our own meaning and even read into the ordinary sayings and actions of Jesus our own meanings.

If we can read into the ordinary actions of Jesus our own meaning then how much more will we not do with the parables!

The Parables are also an invitation to trust in the love of God for us and what he has to teach us in the simplicity of a parable.  Yet it can be no simple and easy process when the Lord begins to minster to us through his word. It is a process of sanctification through fire. (cfr. Jn. 17:17)

Can a child be made to run fast by his father when he or she is just beginning to run, lest the child fall and get bruised? Similarly, God knows the limitations of a sinful human mind which needs to slow down, seek the Fathers help through the Holy Spirit and receive from his abundance, through the vessel of the word.

Prayer: “How sweet are thy words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  Ps 119:103-105

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us