Scripture – Ephesians 1:3-14 GNT
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+6%3A30-34%3B+53+%E2%80%93+56.&version=NRSVUE
30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.
53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. 54 When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him 55 and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
From Karen Richardson
Years ago, in my yearbook there was a quote from one of the students “It’s great to be popular but hectic to be the rage.” I’m sure Jesus could empathize with that. I remember back in the 80’s preaching on this scripture. I was filling in for the summer services while the ordained minister was on holidays. I guess I must have been in need of a holiday at the time, because I could certainly identify with Jesus’ need to get away and have some time alone. Clearly, he was not able to do so, both physically and spiritually, and as tired as he must have been, he put the needs of others before his. It is not easy to balance our own needs with the needs of those around us. All of us need time to recharge our batteries – some more than others. I remember talking at the Lenten study one year about whether we were introverts or extroverts. The difference seemed to be that a lot of people and activities drained the introverts of their energy while the extroverts were energized by all that busyness. We all need to know and do what is best for us. There may be times when we have no choice about extra responsibilities, there may be times when our hearts reach out to those in need even when we are feeling like we need a break, but we also need to take pity on ourselves and do what we need to do for our own physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual selves.
Contemplation and Conversation
When was a time when you took pity on a person or situation and opened your heart to help out that extra step? Where, how and when do you take the opportunity to recharge your batteries?
Prayer
Loving God, universal energy, be with us this week. Help us to reach out where we are able and to go to the other side of the lake to restore ourselves when needed. Amen
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