Jesus and his disciples: the need to rest
Like any human being, Jesus and his disciples, after preaching and teaching, after their work, required moments of rest: “Come by yourself to a deserted place and rest a little.” The Gospel relates that the crowd did not even let them feed in peace. At this time of year, many people are on vacation or about to go on vacation. The need to stop, to regain strength, is inherent to everyone: we need time to recover from the exhaustion that any job brings with it.
Plan vacations with purpose
When we organize our vacations, we should consider them as a period to revitalize ourselves, and not as a period that leaves us even more exhausted, especially mentally, than we already were. This time should be primarily to recover physical and spiritual strength. Accompany good physical activity (walking, swimming, cycling) that tires and relaxes our body, with activities that rest our interior, such as reading a good book, having enriching conversations with friends, enjoying music and art, and fundamentally Prayer is essential.
The importance of solitude and silence
One of the reasons why Jesus took his disciples to unpopulated places was to find times of prayer. Solitude offers the ideal space for spiritual connection: silence, tranquility, serenity, all those dispositions of the spirit that allow us to open our hearts to God and listen to his words of love. It is advisable to find moments during our vacations to listen to the voice of the Lord, who always calls us.
Recover inner strength
By freeing our hearts from everyday concerns and filling them with the Word of God, we can feel more clearly the call of those who walk the world like sheep without a shepherd. Taking advantage of this time of divine rest, we reflect not only on the needs of our fellow human beings, but also on the cry of the land that hosts us, concerned for the future of new generations. We wish you all a very good holiday.