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Gospel Reading for February 8, 2025 – Mark 6: 30-34
SAFEST REFUGE
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.
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.
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To rest a while in a deserted place is to retreat from the hustle and bustle of life, be it the life of one active in the mission, or one whose work or business requires a lot of exposure to people and activities of all sorts. Similar to a manufacturing plant that needs to shut down for maintenance in order to operate efficiently, we also need to shut down every once in a while to re-energize and be able to keep our focus. For us Christians, the best way to shut down is to be alone with the Lord. We do not even have to go to a deserted place because that place is always available to us – the Church, the adoration chapel, and other places of prayer in our midst, and even in the silence of a room in our house. The most important thing is to be able to sincerely open our heart to the Lord. As a matter of fact, when we are so burdened in life, Jesus tells us to go to him (Matthew 11: 28-30).
There are those of us, who when stressed out or experience anxiety, worsen it by deafening ourselves with the noise of parties/gigs, alcoholic drinks, and worst, with drugs. When all the noise dies down, alcohol loses its effect, drugs need another dose, we will find ourselves in an even worst situation – more stressed and more anxious.
PRAYER or being alone with the Lord with an open heart, is the SAFEST REFUGE from the evil one because when we surrender ourselves to the Lord, no one can snatch us away from him.
Be with us, Lord! You are our refuge and our strength!
