Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church
Reading and Reflection
Jesus withdrew to the sea. The crowds were demanding so much of him, he was probably exhausted. This is a good lesson for us whether we are in ministry full time or not. The crowds can demand so much of us. Family responsibilities, work demands, health concerns, and financial burdens all can put pressure on us and exhaust us.
Jesus returned to the sea. Perhaps we could think of that as returning to that baptism of water. We die and are resurrected to new life. All the sin and trouble of the world is washed clean and we are anointed to go forth again, restored and renewed.
Where is your sea? Maybe you need to go to church and sit for a while in the quiet and tell God all your troubles. It could be you need a quiet place at home, some sleep, or a warm bath. Perhaps you could take a walk this weekend when the temperature finally warms. No one, not even Jesus, went full steam for days on end.
Even if you are not heavily burdened, we each have
our limit. Healthy young people have greater endurance than
older or ill people. Wealthy retired people have fewer time
and money worries than a working person living check to check.
Whatever your pressure, follow Jesus' example and withdraw to your
"sea".
