Mark 6: 30-34

In today’s reading, the disciples had been out teaching among the people. They returned to Jesus to report “all they had done and taught.”  He invited them to come rest with him in a deserted place, because with so many people coming and going and needing their attention, they had not even had time to eat.  They got into a boat to go to a deserted place.  This part of today’s reading tells us that it is wise to balance ministry with retreat, engagement with contemplation, outreach with withdrawal into rest and quiet.  Everyone needs time to recharge, even Jesus and his disciples.

But when they got to the deserted place, crowds of people had gotten there before them and were waiting.  Did Jesus then move on to another place to finally get some rest?  No, “his heart was moved with pity for them” because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  They had no one who cared about them or provided real leadership for them; they were lost and seeking.  This is one of the most painful aspects of being a poor person in the United States today, the feeling that no one cares what becomes of you, the reality that some leaders do not care if you live or die.  Physical poverty is hard, but emotional abandonment is bereft. 

Jesus was moved with pity for them, so he reached deep for his stamina to keep teaching.  “He began to teach them many things.”  How beautiful was Jesus in that day. Amen.