REFLECTIONS TODAY

 Rest (Hebrew shabbath, “to cease” or “to stop”) is not just a cessation from work, strain, or activity. It means primarily to cease from one’s work in order to enjoy the fruit of one’s labors, to be free from anxiety and disturbance. 

The crown of God’s creative days is the seventh day when God rests; it is the only day that is given a name—Shabbath; the rest of the days are named in numerical order; i.e., first day, second day, etc. Rest means to be free from being so easily bothered by hassles and nuisance; it is to be inwardly quiet and peaceful. It is to be at peace with God and to possess the perfect peace that he gives. 

The Jubilee Year in Israel was ordained for the rest of the land and the emancipation of the peoples. Slaves were freed and the property (land) returned to its original owner. When the Apostles return from their mission to the towns and villages of Israel, Jesus invites them to come away to a deserted place and rest for a while. 

In a place “far from the madding crowd,” the Apostles can relax and recover their strength. They can also have some time of privacy with Jesus. Rest is not an empty void or a wasted time; it is to be “refuelled” for further mission to face again the crowd in need of a shepherd’s care.

First Reading • Heb 13:15-17, 20-21 

Brothers and sisters: Through Jesus, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind. 

Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you. 

May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm • Ps 23 

“The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.”

Gospel • Mark 6:30-34 

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.