Come away and rest for a while

 Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B - 18th July 2021

Gospel Mark 6: 30–34

The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat.

So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like a sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

I come to my own ’lonely place’ of prayer – somewhere that I can be free of as many distractions as possible. It may be in nature, in my room, or even surrounded by others on public transport. Wherever I  nd myself, I imagine being in the presence of Jesus, who wants me to spend this  me with him.

After coming to a point of stillness in the way that suits me best, I read the Gospel passage with loving attention.

Returning to the text as often as I need to, I use my imagination to enter fully into the Gospel scene.

What do I see, hear, and feel as I watch Jesus greet his friends on their return from their first mission?

Are they excited ... exhausted ... eager to share their experiences? How do I imagine they are feeling at this time?

Have I ever desired to share my faith experiences with Jesus?

What do I notice in the disciples and Jesus when the crowds turn up and interrupt their precious time together? Does the mood change?

How do I myself feel when the ‘action-based’ demands of my faith seem to get in the way of reflectve contemplative expression?

I share all that is in my heart with Jesus, and I listen to what he desires for me.

With gratitude for however my time of prayer has turned out, I close by joining Jesus in saying 'Our Father ...’