Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
I have noticed a need for balance in my life over the past couple weeks in particular. My daughter was home from college over Christmas and well into January, which, along with our travels to extended family, meant I was out of my usual routine even after her younger brothers were back in school. I cherish the time we have as a family, even more so now that our time all together is limited, but I also realize, again, that I need and benefit greatly from some alone time for prayer and reflection. In order to be at my best in my vocation as mother, spouse, spiritual director, etc., I have to keep a healthy balance of quiet prayer time, taking care of myself, and active “doing” and ministering time. Today’s gospel reading brought this to mind for me.
In Mark’s gospel passage (3: 7-12), we read of Jesus withdrawing toward the sea with his disciples, but they were not alone. A “large number of people” followed him coming from various areas having heard of his healings. Word had spread that Jesus had cured many people, so now those with various diseases (and probably some of their relatives) were pressing in on him with the hopes of touching him so they might be cured. Jesus, seeing how this could get out of hand and not wanting to be crushed, instructed his disciples to go ahead and have a boat ready for him. In tomorrow’s gospel, Jesus is going up to the mountain where he summons his twelve apostles. He gets some time away from the crowds with the small community of disciples that he has chosen.
Even Jesus needed a time away from the pressing needs of the people who were seeking something from him. I believe he had compassion and love for the many people coming to him for a cure, but he also needed a time apart. This, to me, speaks of Jesus’ humanity. Today’s first reading (Hebrews 7:25 – 8:6) speaks of Jesus’ divinity as the perfect high priest, “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens;” while the gospel seems to highlight not only his divinity, but his humanity. And the beauty, I see, is that he is both fully human and fully divine. What a gift our God has given us!
And what a model of holiness we are given. If Jesus, the son of God, needed time apart from his ministry to pray, reflect, renew his strength by taking care of his human needs for sleeping, eating, sharing with those closest to him, then surely aren’t we also called to do the same and create a healthy balance in our lives? I realize, that sometimes that may mean recognizing the call to more ministry and less leisure time. Perhaps this start of a new liturgical season is a good time to reflect and ask God to help us find the right balance in our lives. And whatever we do, may we do it to the glory of God. Along with the psalmist, today let us pray, “Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.”
-Eileen Miller