Fr. Victor Bongiovanni
XVIth SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME
When the Disciples came back from their mission, they reported to Jesus all they had done. The demanding crowds were so insistent that they had no time even to eat; so Jesus told them to come with him to a lonely place on the other side of the Lake that they might have peace and rest for a little time. The Christian life is a continuous going into the presence of God from the presence of men and coming from the presence of God into the presence of men.
Jesus knew that a tough schedule leads to burnout, so he sought a time and a place where the Disciples, after their training mission, could relax and rest. No man can work without rest; and no man can live the Christian life unless he gives himself times with God. It may well be that the whole trouble in our lives is that we give God no opportunity to speak to us, because we do not know how to be still and to listen. We give no time to recharge us with spiritual energy and strength.
On returning from their mission, the 12 disciples gathered round Jesus and told him what they had done and taught (30-32). This ‘coming together’ represents the community that keeps in constant touch with the Lord. When a community does not stop to make a revision with its Master about the initiatives that they are carrying on, it will inevitably follow a human logic, and the activities will be judged in terms of prestige, success, statistics, conquests and honours… If the disciples are looking for such results they are not working for God but for themselves. And if they do not get results, they risk to get frustrated, discouraged, de-motivated…
When Jesus and his Disciples arrived at their retreat-site, they found more work to do. Any ordinary man would have been intensely annoyed. The rest, that Jesus so much desired for himself and for his Disciples, was denied to them. Jesus’ privacy was invaded. Any ordinary man would have resented it, but Jesus was moved with pity at the suffering of the crowd. He looked at them: they were desperate. They wanted so much what he alone could give them. To him they were like sheep who had no shepherd: 1) sheep without the shepherd cannot find the way; 2) sheep without the shepherd cannot find pasture and food; 3) sheep without the shepherd have no defence against dangers.
Jesus was never aggressive; he would sit down and talk, listen and try to understand the problems and the anxieties of the people. Then he would spend time teaching them at length, with infinite patience and compassion. In the company of Jesus we can walk in the world. Without him, we are defenceless, with him we are safe. Best Wishes. May the Word of God sink into our hearts.
XVIth SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME
When the Disciples came back from their mission, they reported to Jesus all they had done. The demanding crowds were so insistent that they had no time even to eat; so Jesus told them to come with him to a lonely place on the other side of the Lake that they might have peace and rest for a little time. The Christian life is a continuous going into the presence of God from the presence of men and coming from the presence of God into the presence of men.
Jesus knew that a tough schedule leads to burnout, so he sought a time and a place where the Disciples, after their training mission, could relax and rest. No man can work without rest; and no man can live the Christian life unless he gives himself times with God. It may well be that the whole trouble in our lives is that we give God no opportunity to speak to us, because we do not know how to be still and to listen. We give no time to recharge us with spiritual energy and strength.
On returning from their mission, the 12 disciples gathered round Jesus and told him what they had done and taught (30-32). This ‘coming together’ represents the community that keeps in constant touch with the Lord. When a community does not stop to make a revision with its Master about the initiatives that they are carrying on, it will inevitably follow a human logic, and the activities will be judged in terms of prestige, success, statistics, conquests and honours… If the disciples are looking for such results they are not working for God but for themselves. And if they do not get results, they risk to get frustrated, discouraged, de-motivated…
When Jesus and his Disciples arrived at their retreat-site, they found more work to do. Any ordinary man would have been intensely annoyed. The rest, that Jesus so much desired for himself and for his Disciples, was denied to them. Jesus’ privacy was invaded. Any ordinary man would have resented it, but Jesus was moved with pity at the suffering of the crowd. He looked at them: they were desperate. They wanted so much what he alone could give them. To him they were like sheep who had no shepherd: 1) sheep without the shepherd cannot find the way; 2) sheep without the shepherd cannot find pasture and food; 3) sheep without the shepherd have no defence against dangers.
Jesus was never aggressive; he would sit down and talk, listen and try to understand the problems and the anxieties of the people. Then he would spend time teaching them at length, with infinite patience and compassion. In the company of Jesus we can walk in the world. Without him, we are defenceless, with him we are safe. Best Wishes. May the Word of God sink into our hearts.