A Different Way
In the Gospel reading this Sunday, Jesus welcomes his apostles back from the work they have been doing and proposes a well-deserved break. These are men who clearly need a holiday. They get into their boat and set off, but it isn’t long before they realise that their ‘work’ has followed them.
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. Mark 6:33
We can imagine the exhausted apostles being a little upset, and we wouldn't be surprised if someone, perhaps even Jesus, told the people to go away. The exhausted group could have raised anchor and put the boat out to some further place, or more remote cove, for their retreat. Instead, we get a glimpse into Jesus's compassion for humanity.
The compassion Jesus shows is the model of how we should always act towards people, especially when we have reason to be grumpy or dismissive. Maybe you are looking forward to a particular item of food in your fridge but find that your hungry flat mate got there first. Maybe your to-do list is longer than your arm and yet a friend calls you for some advice just as you begin the first task. Or, perhaps you are tired, stressed and just need a rest, desperately, but your baby wakes up and that’s that.
We encounter so many situations where our wants and needs have to be put aside; it is all too easy to become upset and resentful, and behave in a way that doesn’t make us proud. We all struggle with this at some point. Yet, Jesus teaches us a different way of dealing with life’s interruptions. Instead of thinking of ourselves and our plans, we are taught to put aside our self-focused thoughts and to meet the needs of the situation.
If we are to act humbly like Jesus, we don't need to think less of ourselves, but think of ourselves less.
Jesus turns frustrations into opportunities for healing and teaching. The grace he shows not only transforms the lives of the people he meets, but probably raises the spirits of the disappointed apostles. Jesus knows that sometimes we have to deal with situations that are out of our control, but what really matters are people. We always have control over how much we love people – and Jesus goes all the way with his love for us.
Today's Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 22 Ephesians 2:13-18 Mark 6:30-34
Source: Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
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