OMG
Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Scriptural Readings: Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21; Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Mark 6:30-34
My dear encountered couples:
Have you ever tried to get away from everyone? Your life is crowded with people and things to do. You need, like Jesus and the apostles, to find an out-of-the-way place and rest a little. You drive for miles and miles. When you get there, who should you run into but the family who lives next door?
You aren’t the only one. It happened to Jesus. One day he went off with his apostles to a deserted place - by boat even. A crowd that was thinking only of themselves, and not the needs of the apostles and Jesus, figured out where they were going and got there before them (must have been a real slow boat!)
When these things happen, it is God who lets them happen. Since God is in control of everything, even though you think you need your rest, he has some good reason for what is happening that is beyond your control. What did Jesus do? He didn’t say, “O my God!” and get all upset. He saw the crowd, was moved to pity by their need for him, and began to teach them at great length. Talk about hospitality when all you want is sleep - this is a great example of it.
Even though the next-door neighbors you run into, and you, both say, “O my God!” and inwardly are upset, do your utmost to be hospitable. God is bringing you out of yourself to become more like Him. He does want you to rest, and he will see that you get it, but it may not coincide with your plans. At these times, His will becomes visible. Make the best of the situation. Jesus did.
