He entered a house and wanted no one to know about
it, but he could not escape notice.
It seems Jesus had retreated to gentile territory to escape the public demands of his ministry for a while. A human being like anyone else, he needed some time to reflect, to be quiet and rest. Some call it down time.
It has become
a rare commodity in our way of life. I celebrated a midweek mass at a neighboring church one time. Afterwards, as I greeted the departing
congregation, one woman demanded, “Where’s the pastor?”
“This is his day-off.” I said.
“I wish I got a day off.”
"I wish you got a day off too."
I didn’t say it; I thought it. As Father Germain used to say, “The Holy Spirit took ahold of my tongue and would not let me speak.”
I didn’t say it; I thought it. As Father Germain used to say, “The Holy Spirit took ahold of my tongue and would not let me speak.”
Scientists, who serve as prophets to our secular world,
tell us we need leisure. By planting electrodes in the skulls of mice, they watch
how the animals work, sleep and dream. The
same neurons that fire as the mice navigate mazes fire again as they sleep. They’re
dreaming about labyrinths! That’s how the brain processes new learning. Without rest we cannot learn.
In the middle of the crowds Jesus knew he had to get away
for a while. Like his mother, he had to ponder where he had been and where he
was going. Clearly, trouble was brewing. Despite his enormous popularity,
shadowy figures on the edge of the crowd were not caught up in the excitement. Enemies
were forming networks of agreement and communication; they were devising plans.
Should Jesus change his style or continue doing what came naturally? For the
moment he needed to rest.
At that moment a woman burst into his solitude and
demanded that he drive a demon out of her daughter. A Syrophoenician woman, at that! His reaction was immediate
and, perhaps, rude. “Let the children be fed first.
For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”
But her reaction was just as quick, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.”
He had to
laugh. She would not be put off, she would not go away. She was smart and she
made him laugh. People, you gotta love them! he thought.
A few days
later Jesus returned to Decapolis and the Sea of Galilee. Once again he preached
the Kingdom of God and healed the sick. He’d had a good laugh and some rest. Human
beings need a lot; it’s impossible to list all our needs. But without leisure and
laughter we’re not even human.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.