17-July-2006
Dear Friend,
One of the symptoms of life today is that we are busy people constantly
crying out for a break. A full life is equated with a busy life. Yet we all
need a break not merely to recharge our energies but to ponder on the deeper
question: What is my life all about? While a believer needs a break,
paradoxically, there is no break from loving and living! Have a relaxed
weekend! Fr. Jude
Sunday Reflections: Sixteenth Sunday of the Year The Rhythm of Christian
life! 23-July-2006
Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34;
In todays first reading Jeremiah chastises the leaders of Israel for
neglecting their duties towards the people. The kings of Jeremiahs time were
not good leaders, being either weak or cruel. They had to shoulder the blame
for the misfortune that has befallen their people. But God will not let his
people languish. He is a God who cares and he will show his care by giving them
a new leader, a new prophet, a new shepherd. In fact, he himself will be their
leader, their shepherd. This prophecy of Isaiah would be fulfilled in Jesus the
good shepherd.
Jesus No Boy-O!
Every once in a while, my uncle in Galway, Ireland, would refer to a
particular type of priest as a boy-o. After many visits to his farm and
endless badgering, my uncle finally told me what he meant, reluctant though he
was to say anything disrespectful of the priests. A boy-o was the kind of
priest who, if he saw that you had two fine geese, would say, Thats a fine
goose you have there, and expect the other to be delivered to his door the
next morning. A boy-o always made you feel an imposition, so burdensome were
his tasks. A boy-o came to be served rather than to serve. A boy-o could cause
people to fear and tremble in their pews, if they ever entertained an idea
other than his own. A boy-o would divide a parish, humiliate a sinner, and even
make you wonder about God. Jesus was not a boy-o.
John F. Kavanaugh, in The Word Encountered
In the second reading from Paul to the Ephesians, Paul focuses on the caring
qualities of Christ the Good Shepherd, who by his death showed how much he
cared for us and through all that he endured he broke down the walls of
separation between Jews and Gentiles, and united all peoples as children of one
Father. The caring person, like Christ, has to be a self-giving person.
In today's gospel Mark notes that the disciples report to Jesus the outcome
of their first apostolic mission. Jesus listened to their reports he noticed
they were tired and weary and suggests that they need a break. You must come
away to some lonely place all by your selves and rest a while. To retreat is
to pull back, to withdraw from what one is doing. All human effort in the world
is of no avail in the apostolate unless it is powered from within by the divine
energy of grace. Seeking out an alone-place is not an escape from reality.
Those who are busy with the work of the Lord must return to the centre within
and be alone with the Lord of the work. In the alone-place we encounter the
Great Alone. Having come apart to be alone with God, the Lords invitation is
to rest a while and restore our energy. Yet there is no holiday or break from
love; from living our faith at all times and in every circumstance. While Jesus
sends his disciples to rest awhile, he himself does
not seek rest but is moved with compassion and so he attends to the multitude.
The interruptions are my work!
Once, a man went to see a friend who was a professor at a great university.
However, as they sat chatting in the professors office, they were continually
interrupted by students who came knocking at the door, seeking the professors
advice about something or the other. Each time the professor rose from his
chair, went to the door, and dealt with the students request. Eventually the
visitor asked the professor, How do you manage to get your work done with so
many interruptions? At first I used to resent the interruptions to my work.
But one day it suddenly dawned on me that the interruptions were my work. the
professor replied. He made his work consist in being available to his students.
And it was by no coincidence that he was the happiest and most fulfilled
professor on the campus.
Flor McCarthy, in 'New Sunday & Holy Day Liturgies'
"The rhythm of Christian life is a continuous going into the presence of God
from the presence of men, and coming into the presence of men from the presence
of God. There are two dangers in life. First, there is the danger of too
constant activity. How can we shoulder lifes burdens if we have no contact
with him who is the Lord of all good life? Second, there is the danger of too
much withdrawal. Prayer that does not issue in work is not real prayer. We must
never seek the fellowship of God to avoid the fellowship of men but to fit
ourselves better for it. The rhythm of the Christian life is the alternative
meeting with God in the secret place and serving men in the market place.
William Barclay
May I rest in Him to work for others!
Fr. Jude Botelho
www.netforlife.net
PS. The stories, incidents and anecdotes used in the reflections have been
collected over the years from books as well as from sources over the net and
from e-mails received. Every effort is made to acknowledge authors whenever
possible. If you send in stories or illustrations I would be grateful if you
could quote the source as well so that they can be acknowledged if used in
these reflections. These reflections are also available on my web site
www.netforlife.net Thank you.
Fr. Jude Botelhowww.NetForLife.net
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