“The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught.” I interpret this as a need for us to evaluate our lives, i.e., are we living the spiritual life we are meant to? The Apostles shared with each other and with Jesus the results of their spiritual work. I can vision them relating stories of others’ reactions to their words and actions. Do I share with others what I am doing in my spiritual life? How do I keep myself accountable for my spiritual life? To whom do I “report all [I] [have] done and taught?” “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” Quite simply, priority for Jesus and the Apostles was care of self. They recognized the absolute need for rest, relaxation, and time to rejuvenate in a quiet space. How do I structure those times in my life? “…his heart was moved with pity for them…” There is a need to be compassionate and action oriented when presented with needs of our neighbors. We need to address and meet their needs. Our own needs have to be modulated with greater concerns of others. For the readers outside of the United States, individuals in this country have been reeling since mid-January with the Tucson, Arizona killing episode and the attempted murder of a Congresswoman. The Responsorial Psalm of today, “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want”, has been healing for some individuals. |