He Offers Everything

A Reflection on the Gospel for July 18th, 2021:
Sixteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time

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Mark
6.30-34

The Apostles returned from their mission. They gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.

He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.

Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As Jesus went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

In the Gospel reading for July 18th, we hear Jesus invite the apostles to, “come away to a deserted place… and rest a while,” after their mission. Surely, they were all tired and in need of a good recharge, and it is a beautiful example of God’s call to restoration and renewal.

What strikes me most is how Jesus is moved with compassion when He sees the large crowd following as they try to retreat. He decides to attend to their needs, even when He likely, personally, desired peace and quiet. Christ acts with gentleness and generosity, and His actions communicate the reality of God’s abundant and steadfast love. He has everything to offer, and desires to give Himself entirely to all who seek Him. We see this throughout scripture, as Jesus often adjusts His plans to respond to those who are searching for truth and asking for grace and mercy.

At times, I struggle to be vulnerable enough with God to approach Him with my requests. When I read and imagine myself in this crowd, seeing Jesus walk away to seek a place of peace with His apostles, my thoughts turn to excuses for why I should not follow. I encounter self-made barriers, like the belief that I will be a “burden” or that I will disturb and distract Him from “more important things”. But as I read further and notice Jesus’ response to the members of the crowd who do follow, I see that this thinking would prevent me from receiving what Jesus freely and joyfully chooses to offer.

This practice of praying with scripture helps me recognize the disposition of my heart, the fears I carry with me, and it encourages me to ask for the grace of childlike trust and confidence to approach God. I invite you to sit with these passages and try “Lectio Divina” — a structured way of praying with the Bible that can include this practice of using our imagination. Pay attention to your response to the events and to how Christ speaks to you. I hear Him inviting me to join Him in the rest, to listen, and to recognize that I am welcome.




Kendra L.

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