“Mens sana in corpore sano”(a sound mind in a healthy body). This centuries old wisdom says one need a balanced life of both healthy body and Soul; balance of both physical and spiritual health.Jesus is following this method. We see at least the attempt for a balanced life in the Gospel. Jesus is proposing his disciples to take rest.
Then the apostles were just back from their first big mission. Jesus knew that they were weak after this mission. So he tells them to move to the other side in order to take rest.
We see in the Gospel that this attempt is not fully accomplished, as people gathered around them. Jesus has compassion for them and is remaining with the people, teaching them.
Still the thought to take rest is worth discussing, especially in a world where people are so busy with many things in their live and find less time for rest and relax. What is the role of rest and relaxation in the spiritual life?
Do we need to work 24 Hours a day; 7 days a week and 365 days in a year?
Jesus’ Gospel asserts that each one needs rest according to his work.
It is not to keep people lazy but to acquire enough power for their next mission.
We see this thought in the creation narrations in the first chapters of the Scripture. God worked 6 days and took a day rest. 6 days represents not only the week days, but the engaged working days of each one. The concept of Sabbath as the day of rest has not only its religious meaning and means but also a natural and physical character too.
This concept of rest should be a healthy and balanced one.
That is the message we get in the readings of this Sunday.
Then we hear not only about the working and weak apostles.
The first reading (Jeremiah 23, 1-6) gives another picture of lazy shepherds of Israel. They were not caring and faithful pastors. They were easygoing and looking for their own happiness alone. God is promising a right shepherd – the lord of Justice - who will save the Israel.
Through these two contrast pictures of the lazy shepherds and hardworking, weak but compassionate Jesus, the Church tells us to have a balanced life.
One should work for his life, for his family, for his children, for his community, for his country and for the good of others.
But one should not be workaholic.
There are so many people who are so engaged in their lives;
they work 7 days a week. They don’t have time to visit church.
They have no time to spend with their family, partner, children, parents or friends.
This will slowly ruin their health – both physically and mentally.
This will not give them satisfaction in their life.
Because money and business are their aim. Who can put a limit in these matters? The truth is, in the search of such things, they miss many other great values such as to be with God, to be with the family and so on. Yes, many lack the balance in their lives.
Jesus gives us a very balanced example to follow.
Even though he was some times forced to do some works in the cost of his rest, he advices us to have time for ourselves.
Time to rest means time to regenerate us,
time to find our energy for the further works.
It is the time of “Recreation”; being a “new creation”.
We are having various ways to regenerate. Some do it by travelling distant areas, some by reading books, some by visiting friends and family, some by doing nothing…
The methods can vary, but the ultimate aim is to be fit and fresh for the next work.
Gospel questions us, how we make use of our free time, our time to rest and to regenerate. Do we find a balanced use of time in our lives? May this vacation time gives us a balanced experience and a fresh mind and Body. God Bless us all to make use of the time given by Him. Amen!
--Fr Thomas Kalathil
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