Rest a while

"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." Mark 6:30-34

The apostles are exhausted as they strive to fulfill their vocation. The Lord draws them to a quiet place to rest, but the crowds already fill the previously peaceful place when they arrive. The apostles' hearts are torn between joy and exhaustion as they see the large crowds gathering to seek Truth. Their energy is drained, their bodies and minds exhausted, and their hearts give in to sinking as they picture the next hours of teaching and healing. However our Lord's heart is moved with pity not just for the gathering people but also His apostles. He Himself teaches the people, allowing His shepherds their promised rest.

Often in the apostolate exhaustion overcomes us, yet the souls and missions come to us in a never-ending flow of unfinished and often un-begun work. We must trust in our Lord that when we are tired and in need of rest, He will take over and accomplish what must be done. It is only through Him that we work at all! Let us not fall into prideful thinking that we are essential to every soul's salvation and every mission's success. Instead, like the apostles, let us sit back and watch our Lord in action once more, and allow our hearts to fill with His word and zeal for His kingdom. Let us take these opportunities to recall Who is responsible for all our successes and lean our full weight on Him for any in future.