Come Away and Rest

In tomorrow's Gospel reading, Jesus welcomes back 70 disciples from a preaching and healing mission. But as Jesus attempts to pull the group aside for a time to rest, the crowds follow. Mark then tells us,

He had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Before the day is over, Jesus will feed 5,000 men, plus women and children on 5 loaves of bread and two fish.

Jesus knew that his disciples needed rest. At this point Jesus is better rested than the 70 and he both teaches the crowd and then feeds them, but the need for rest for the disciples remains. We often read of Jesus pulling off for times of rest and prayer.

A story survives from the hermits who populated the desert of Egypt in the 4th century

Once Abbot Anthony was conversing with some brethren, and a hunter who was after game in the wilderness came upon them. He saw Abbot Anthony and the brothers enjoying themselves, and disapproved. Abbot Anthony said: put an arrow in your bow and shoot it. This he did. Now shoot another, said the elder. And another, and another. The hunter said, “If I bend my bow all the time it will break. Abbot Anthony replied: So it is also in the work of God. If we push ourselves beyond measure, the brethren will soon collapse. It is right, therefore, from time to time, to relax their efforts.

In the archives, you'll find the sermon Come Away and Rest.