Mark 6 : 30-34, 53-56
30-34 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.
53-56 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
REFLECTIONS:
Thoughts from Jess:
Jesus and his disciples served with intense compassion. This story shows that there are times of intense work with little chance for rest, in order to care for the needs of others. They sought rest but it eluded them as the crowd came seeking truth and healing. Jesus and his co-workers came to make people whole. He healed the people's physical bodies and spoke words of healing to their minds and hearts.
Sometimes “healing” broken systems and societies requires tireless service. Fighting to make wrong systems right takes a lot of time and energy and we can come out of it battered and bruised. I know, I know, many of you are thinking, What about self care? What about balance? What about burning out? Well, those are good questions to ask but sometimes they are questions we ask because we need an excuse. We are tired and not sure if we can do it anymore, so we want to throw in the towel. Would the Civil Rights Act have happened if people went home to rest instead of protesting? Would women have gained the right to vote by resting at home instead of canvassing and gaining support ? Would people who experience homelessness be on a path towards a stable home if churches and community services didn’t work hard for the rights and dignity of every individual whether they have a home or not?
There are seasons and sometimes it's a season of activism and fighting for social reform.. Sometimes that is what is required. But also there are seasons of rest or of perfect balance. Do the self care and rest! This empowers you to be more of what you are made to be. But never use the importance of it as an excuse to be lazy and give up.
Jesus modeled severe compassion. His heart for the sick, lonely and poor fueled him to go beyond what may feel possible. Empowerment from the Spirit made it possible. Jesus taught this to his followers. They were always meant to serve with compassion and work for what is just. God gives us rest as an essential part of all creation and the Spirit gives us energy to do the miraculous!
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
How can you see your co-workers as collaborators and not as someone in the way?
This week, if you notice you are competing with or wanting a co-worker to get out of your way, reframe it and think about how you can partner with them instead.
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
When we receive a “no” in response to our requests, a natural human response can be anger or frustration. But these emotions, when directed at the other human, have the potential to ruin our chance of finding resolution together.
What are healthy pathways you can try for experiencing and releasing negative emotions without directing them toward another person?
Pathways toward Centeredness
Activism (seeking change on behalf of the poor and powerless):
Can you think of a time when you worked tirelessly for another and it made your heart glad?
Be curious about when the time might be to get out of your seat?
Questions for Reflection
Is there a thing in your life you can intentionally rest and build strength for?
Something that you think is worth fighting for? Are you willing to take the risks?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
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