ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY

This was one of my favourite quotes, when, as a boy I tried to prove it wrong, it was a misconception. But as St.Paul says when you are a boy you think like a boy, but when you grow up you will think like an adult. Next Sunday’s Gospel Text reminded me of this quote. As normal human beings, when the disciples returned from their mission, they were completely exhausted. They reported their experiences to the Master.

As a wise Master, Jesus invited them to get away from it all, for a while, and suggested that they should all cross over the lake and settle in a quiet and remote place. They certainly needed a rest. It was only a four hour trip to the other side of the lake. But if one had to go on foot one had to cover ten miles. In case of a under current in the sea the trip might take longer.

As expected, on their arrival, Jesus and company found a sizeable crowd waiting for them. Jesus felt pity on them for He realised that they were in search of the Truth. He imagined them a ‘flock without a shepherd’. That was the end of their ‘day off’, before it ever started. Apostolate can have no holiday so easily. Yet, having said that, one can’t work without having a periodic rest. REST, but here lies the secret of all this business.

A true disciple takes his ‘rest’ when meeting with the Lord. It is similar to the rhythm of ‘life’. We cannot work if we do not sleep. A true disciple can never perform his mission, his apostolate if he does not ‘rest’ in the Lord, he needs to constantly ‘recharge’ his batteries. The problem in ‘the meeting with the Lord’ is caused by our approach; we need to give an opportunity to the Master to speak to us. We must get used to ‘listening’ in a quiet atmosphere … listen, listen. The Master will certainly contact us, if we give Him a chance. Do not ask how, when or where. Try to listen to that beautiful hymn called: “Be Still, in the Presence of the Lord”.

We have to keep in mind His words, He pitied the crowd and imagined them like a flock without a shepherd. That means a lot, there’s a profound meaning in that thought. What would happen to the flock without  the shepherd? They certainly would not have anyone to provide food and water; no one to defend them; no place where to shelter and sleep; no one to lead them to pastures green. Apply the same imagery to us, to all humans. How could we go along in life?

No wonder the problems faced in our culture, for we have abandoned God. Yes many are those who have created their own god (with a small letter). One need not go in front of a mirror and make a solemn declaration: ‘You are my god’, yet one’s behaviour in life is tantamount to that declaration. Only in the company of Jesus we can go about everywhere feeling safe, secure and nourished.