9 February 2019 - to seek and to save

Today's Readings

(Audio)

"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." 

Jesus wanted to teach his disciples that time alone with him was important. But his mission was not to be well rested or to have time to himself with his disciples.

When Jesus 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.

His mission was to seek and to save the lost. This, he demonstrated, was a greater priority even than rest. It was, of course, a balance. He did find time apart with his disciples. Human nature breaks down and burns out without sufficient rest. But his heart was always for the lost sheep. Whenever possible he would open his arms to them.

One thinks of the attitude of hospitality in Benedictine monks toward the guests they receive, receiving each one "as Christ" (see RB 53). In a certain way, this welcoming takes on a greater priority than anything else going on for the abbot. For example he can even relax his fasting to eat with the guests.

In order to truly have enough energy to care for the lost and to welcome guests we must rely on God. 

May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead
the great shepherd of the sheep
by the Blood of the eternal covenant, 
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.

The Father raised Jesus when he was dead. The same Spirit can give us new vigor when we feel too tired for the task at hand. As long as the yoke is that of Jesus, shared with him, and not our own, it will be easy and light. Apart from that yoke we will never find the right balance of rest and work.

If we begin to think it is up to us to save every crowd and welcome every guest we'll quickly burn out. Instead, God asks us to focus on him and the good he places close at hand for us to do.

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.

When we walk with the good shepherd we want for nothing. As he brings more and more of the lost sheep into his pastures we discover just how verdant, green, and refreshing they are.