Today’s gospel highlights a dilemma that is at the heart of Christian life and ministry. When his disciples come back from their mission Jesus’ first thought is to give them space for rest and reflection. He says to them:
“You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while.”
He is responding both to their need to recover from their travels and to the situation to which they returned which was so busy that they didn’t even have time to eat. In our busy, stressful and needy world we all know this situation from our own experience. When we are presented with situations that need us it is very easy to forget the importance of our own well-being. Like the disciples we need space to rest and recover and it is a relief that Jesus acknowledges that.
Later he is presented with another challenge:
“As he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.”
His actions may seem confusing and contradictory. They leave us wondering what we should do if we are to model our lives on his. They are a reminder that, as St Benedict tells us, the Christian life is one of balance.
We are not called to choose one or the other of these ways of being, but to hold them in tension and balance. This requires discernment and self-knowledge, we have to take each situation and discern what we are being called to in it. Our discernment needs to take account of our own needs and the needs of those who come to us.
Where is Christ challenging you to find balance in the midst of your life and commitments?