Readings for Proper 11B:
Mark 6:30-44
July 23, 2006
The Rev. Karen Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino, CA
Jesus said to his apostles: “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” [Mk. 6]
If so, then maybe you are not taking a proper day of rest each week. Perhaps you are leaving no time in your busy schedule to restore your mind, body, and soul. In today’s gospel story, the 12 apostles have just returned from a heavy schedule of preaching, teaching, and healing. The apostles have returned to Jesus to tell him about all that they had done and taught. Realizing the enormity of the responsibility and pressures of the ministry, Jesus invites them to come away with him to a quiet/deserted place, all by themselves, and rest awhile. He is aware that if they do not refresh themselves, they will become exhausted, cranky, sick, and spiritually empty. He is aware that if they do not take the time for quiet and rest, they will be unable to continue the work to which they have been called. What I would like to talk about today is taking the time to restore our mind, body, and soul so that we can be faithful, effective, healthy, and active disciples in a world that simply demands too much of us.
“An American traveler was on a safari in Kenya. He was loaded down with maps, and timetables, and agendas. Porters from a local tribe were carrying his cumbersome supplies, luggage, and ‘essential stuff.’ On the first morning, everyone awoke early and traveled fast and went far into the bush. On the second morning, they all woke very early and traveled very fast and went very far into the bush. On the third morning, they all woke very early and traveled very fast and went even farther into the bush. The American seemed pleased. But on the fourth morning, the porters refused to move. They simply sat by a tree. Their behavior incensed the American and he said: ‘This is a waste of valuable time. Can someone tell me what is going on here?’ The translator answered, ‘They are waiting for their souls to catch up with their bodies.’” [Trinity News, vol. 53/1]
Jesus asked his disciples to come away with him so that their souls could be nourished; so that their souls could catch up with their bodies. In our busy schedules, we often neglect our souls and our relationship with God. The majority of folks from mainline denominations come to church only 1 hour per week, 25 weeks per year. A few engage in a bible study once in awhile while others say a prayer before dinner. No wonder so many people have a spiritual life that is dry or irrelevant and lack a sense of inner peace.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Come away to a deserted place...” Perhaps one of the best pieces of spiritual advice that I have received in recent times was at my Women Touched by Grace Program. I was told that in order to remain healthy and effective, all Christians (especially ministers) need to spend at least one hour per day in quiet prayer, one day per week in Sabbath rest, and one week per year on a spiritual retreat. I have taken that advice to heart. Since that time, I spend one hour of quiet time each morning, simply letting God love me. 30 minutes are spent in quiet meditation while I drink my cup of coffee. 20 minutes are spent doing Morning Prayer from the prayer book. And 10 minutes are spent allowing thoughts to come into my consciousness regarding upcoming sermons, educational presentations, or special prayers for this parish church. It is amazing the inspiration I receive after spending time in a sacred, quiet posture.
I have also taken seriously, the notion of a Sabbath: a day set aside for restoration of my soul. A Sabbath is a time to cease from work, productivity, accomplishment, anxiety, worry, tension, and meaninglessness. Since Sunday is a very busy work day for me, my Sabbath day begins Sunday evening and continues through Monday. I spend my time praying, swimming, eating, walking the dog, reading, napping, and relaxing in my chair. I am also open to spontaneous invitations that will delight my soul and make my heart glad. Since I have only one day off per week, I have to carefully plan the rest of my week to make sure that the household chores and shopping have been done so that I can honor my Sabbath time. This time restores me to health and wholeness. And while I am not perfect in keeping Sabbath 100%, I delight in the possibilities.
Finally, I have made a commitment to spend one week per year on a spiritual retreat. For those of you who have families with young children and can not take this much time away, I suggest that you spend one week of your vacation to retreat in your own home or in a rented cabin with your family. Be in the present moment, rest, enjoy, refrain from over-activity, and be open to whatever the spirit of God might be calling you to do. Try to refrain from frantically driving in traffic in order to hit the great wonders of American consumerism such as the malls, Disney world, Great America, Universal Studios, and whatever other attractions that might pull you away from being centered or restored.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Come away, to a deserted place, all by yourselves.” Jesus invites his disciples to get away from the crowds, away from the noise, away from the demands in life, to a quiet and peaceful setting. Scientific research claims that we have close to 80,000 thoughts each day. Those thoughts are relentless, rehearsing the past as well as scenarios of the future. How do we rest our mind? It is in the stillness and silence that the present moment comes into focus; a time of respite from the barrage of thoughts and the feelings of fear and anxiety. There are many benefits to silence, including creativity. In this complex and changing world of ours, we are required to think outside the box in order to move ahead. This requires us to come up with new ideas, whether it is for business, school, family, or church. Creativity is not found with the known. Creativity needs the silence of non-thinking. It requires that we quiet the chattering of the mind, listen to the promptings of our heart, and to simply let go and let be. Silence allows for inner healing to come about so that we can experience that peace which passes all understanding. Since silence is God’s primary language, we can best hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit in the interior silence of the heart.
I often wonder how different our national policies might be if our busy and overworked senators, representatives, judges, and key leaders were to enter into silence for long periods of time. I believe that they would be better equipped to come up with creative solutions to difficult situations that threaten our world. Perhaps their vision would extend beyond the cycle of violence to a long-range plan of peace and good will. Silence allows for listening, authentic communication, and moves us toward real communion.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Come away to a deserted place, all by yourselves, and rest a while.” Most of us in Silicon Valley work too hard. Too much is expected of us. And no matter how many hours we work, we are unable to complete the tasks. What are we to do? Work harder?
“The story is told of a wagon train on its way from St. Louis to Oregon. Its members were devout Christians, so the whole group observed the habit of stopping for the Sabbath day. Winter was approaching quickly, and some among the group began to panic in fear that they would not reach their destination before the heavy snows. Several members proposed to the rest of the group that they should quit their practice of stopping for the Sabbath and continue driving onward seven days a week. This proposal triggered a lot of contention in the community. So finally it was suggested that the wagon train should split into two groups- those who wanted to observe the Sabbath and those who preferred to travel on that day. The proposal was accepted. Guess which group got to Oregon first? The ones who kept the Sabbath reached their destinations first. The people and the horses were so rested by their Sabbath observance that they could travel much more vigorously and effectively the other six days.” [Keeping the Sabbath Wholly by Marva Dawn, 1989 ] “Failing to rest after six days of steady work, will lead to insomnia or sleepiness, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, irritability, organ stress, and other increasingly serious physical and mental symptoms.” [ Research from Cornell University]
So why do we make excuses when it comes to rest-taking? Many youth in this parish have told me that it takes them twice as long to finish their homework because they are tired and are unable to concentrate on the material before them. I know that in my own work, I become crankier and more anxious when I have not had enough sleep. I also get more colds. Most people who get less than eight hours of sleep a night are at a disadvantage. Their alertness, productivity, creativity, and general health are affected. This is because REM (rapid eye movement) usually takes place between the 7th and 8th hour of sleep. This is the time when the mind repairs itself and grows new connections. However, one third of all Americans get six or less hours of sleep each night. No wonder we are tired, depressed, cynical, angry, and dragging.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Come away to a deserted place, all by yourselves, and rest a while.” Today’s gospel concludes with the feeding of the 5000. The people who are following Jesus are hungry and there are only five loaves of bread and two fish. It seems like an impossible situation- not unlike the many problems that our world is facing today. Jesus blesses the loaves of bread, divides the fish, and distributes what he has to the hungry. We are told that: “All ate and were filled.” How? I don’t know. But my hunch is that Jesus was able to think, act, and pray creatively in a way that was effective because he had taken the time to be centered in God. “Come away to a deserted place, all by yourselves, and rest a while.”
| Updated 7/24/06 |
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