Ready for a Vacation?

Scripture Reflection for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 22, 2012)

Scripture Readings:
1 Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 23
2 Ephesians 2:13-18
Mark 6:30-34

Ah Rest, Retreat, Leisure, Vacation! What a perfect Gospel for July when many people are thinking about or even fortunate enough to be engaging in these refreshing activities (or non-activities). Even Jesus enjoys letting down, going away. Today we hear him inviting his disciples, just returned from their missionary work of evangelizing in the little towns around their country, to come away with him to “a quiet place.” Who of us contemporary disciples does not long for a quiet place from time to time? Who of us does not need a quiet space within on a daily basis?

Are people coming and going in your life? Do you sometimes have difficulty finding time to eat because of your work or ministry? Do you find yourself eating on the run? In the car? At your desk? Are you hungry for time to yourself? Do you need a break? Are you feeling spiritually starved? Physically exhausted? Socially depleted? Do you want to get away? Then heed the Master’s call to “Come away by yourselves.” How can we resist his suggestion of a quiet place wherein to rest a while?

So how is this going to happen? I am a woman of many responsibilities. I am a man who juggles a busy calendar. I have too many customers waiting in line, too many lessons to prepare, too much studying to do, too much land to cultivate, too demanding a family to step aside and care for my own needs.
How about planning mini-vacation moments within a regular day? I have a friend who says to me whenever we get in the car, even to drive to the drugstore, “We’re on vacation now.” It’s an attitude about life and leisure I struggle to adopt.

How good it would be for us to save just a few moments morning and evening, more often if possible, to close our eyes and reflect or just empty our mind and heart. Hand it over to the Lord. Ask him to be our rest, our quiet. Yes, give him a moment to love you, to lift you, to strengthen and energize you. This is one way to take Him up on his invitation. Do it while waiting at the stoplight, in the grocery line, at the gas station. Give him those few moments when you first awake or just before you retire for the night. Quiet yourself and listen. It takes discipline.

Go to the nearest park, the nearest church, a quiet library and spend your lunch break or even half a day being quiet and away. Plan a day away just for yourself at a retreat house, in the country, in a place other than home or work, a place with natural beauty. It will change you.

You might find you need a retreat of a longer period, a weekend or several days. Check with your parish to see what they offer. Go online and see if there is a diocesan opportunity. Ask a friend or a family member where they go. You don’t have to spend a lot of money.

In the end, people will find you, just as they found Jesus and the Apostles. You’ll be right back in the midst of the busy work day, the family cares and trials, the worries and weariness. However, you will have a secret store of strength to bring to all this. You will see things and people differently, with more love, more patience, more grace.

If you make a regular practice of mini-vacations, semi-retreats within each day, each week, each month, you will be refreshed. You will find repose in whatever verdant pasture the Good Shepherd shows you. You will find courage near the restful waters where he will lead you. Allow him this time, this place to fill you with courage for the work he gives you and the people he sends you to serve as his faithful disciple.

Come away with the Lord. Gift yourself with a special vacation just with Him.
Do it today. Do it now.

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