THE SAVING WORK
We cannot put off the immediate needs of others for our own comfort, but
we will not serve them well if we do not nourish our activity with prayer,
quiet, and solitude.
In today's
Responsorial Psalm, we acclaim, "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing
I shall want" (Ps 23:1). When we think about the Image of our one true
Shepherd, we may envision Him as an Encourager, a Counselor, Preacher, Leader,
or Comforter. All these images of a shepherd seem to speak loud and clear to
us. This is what we look for when we are seeking God's guidance in our lives.
As Catholics, we
believe we are saved by God's grace. When we cooperate with this divine gift of
grace, the fruit of this cooperation with His grace becomes beneficial to us
and others. Our good deeds, our generosity, and doing God's will are all
referred to in the first reading. They are the fruit of God's gifts to us. As
the Letter to the Hebrews says, God carries out in us what is pleasing to Him
(cf. Heb 13:21).
Today's Gospel of
Mark illustrates some tension. Jesus has urged His worn-out disciples to get
away from the demanding crowds. They need time for prayer - time to center on
God - in order not to forget why they are working so hard and to be
reinvigorated for this great work. As we see in the story, there are times when
others can prevent this. Jesus, out of pity, interrupts His effort to get away
and responds to the insistent crowds who would otherwise be without a shepherd.
We cannot put off the immediate needs of others for our own comfort, but we
will not serve them well if we do not nourish our activity with prayer, quiet,
and solitude. Such is the tension with which we, as Christians, live.
Personally, I
reflect on this Gospel often. God has called me into ministry as the director
for Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, which gives me the opportunity to witness
many people who come to this peaceful place to pray and ponder. It is great to
see how God works in each person! But being so close and responsible for this
ministry for our diocese, I often have to remind myself to stop and take a
closer look at the beauty of this special place and its mission. At least once
a week I take a walk around the grounds to pray and see all its beauty and
stillness. I especially enjoy seeing the sun set over the rolling hills to the
southwest on Moran Prairie in Spokane Valley. It truly brings peace to my
heart!
Take time today and
everyday to stop and reflect on the Good Shepherd and how He feeds you in your
life, work, play, and relationships.