Serving, resting, trusting, praying

12Mar
The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them.

As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.’

But he answered them, ‘You give them something to eat.’ They said to him, ‘Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?’ And he said to them, ‘How many loaves have you? Go and see.’ When they had found out, they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.
- Mark 6:30-46


In this passage from the Gospel of Mark, the disciples return to Jesus after being sent out to teach and heal. They’re excited, probably exhausted, and eager to tell him everything that happened. Jesus sees their weariness and invites them to come away to a quiet place and rest. Even before the miracle in this story, there’s something important here: Jesus cares about the tiredness of his friends.


Of course, the quiet retreat doesn’t last long. A crowd gathers, bringing their hunger, their hope, and their need. Instead of sending them away, Jesus tells the disciples, “You give them something to eat.” I imagine that moment landing heavily. They don’t have enough. Five loaves and two fish are hardly a plan for feeding thousands.


But somehow, in Jesus’ hands, what little they have becomes enough. Maybe that’s one of the lessons of this story. God often starts with what seems small or insufficient — a few loaves, a few fish, a little faith — and turns it into something that blesses far more people than we expect.


Afterward, Jesus sends the disciples ahead and goes up the mountain alone to pray. Even in the middle of teaching, feeding, and caring for others, he still makes space to be with God.


There’s a rhythm here: serving, resting, trusting, praying. It’s a rhythm the disciples had to learn, and it might be one we’re still learning too.


Musical Reflection - The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended - University of Texas Chamber Singers · James Morrow · Gerre Hancock


Gracious God, remind me today to stop just for a moment and breathe. Let me remember that one moment in your presence is more valuable than any "doing" I might have on my list today. Amen.

Service

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