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Gospel Reading for February 3, 2024 – Mark 6: 30-34
WE ARE NOT GOD
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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Perhaps, the apostles were excitedly reporting to Jesus all that had happened to them and the vast crowds that came to them. Jesus tells them to go to a deserted place and rest a while, like he did when the crowds wanted to make him king. After a mission, resting does not just mean, physically regaining strength for a tiresome activity. It also means to retreat (move back, pray and reflect), and this is probably the most important for Jesus, lest they become full of themselves. A successful event usually gives stamina, hence, it does not make us so physically tired but very inspired and looking forward to another successful one. Although success is a good thing, it can also become a bad thing when one loses perspective of the mission. How important it is to always remember that we are not our gifts and talents. God just endowed them on us so we may contribute to the propagation of goodness in the world. WE ARE NOT GOD. We are just his instruments.
Let us ponder on the hymn written by Sebastian Temple, PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS –
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,
and where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness only light,
and where there’s sadness ever joy.
Oh Master, grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console.
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
In giving of ourselves that we receive,
and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
