When we read about Jesus’ actions in the Gospels, it can feel a bit overwhelming. This is especially true in the context of St. Mark’s Gospel, where Mark is so focused on proclaiming the message, that Jesus seems to move at a frenetic pace. Mark’s way of relating the Gospel is to say “and immediately Jesus did this” or “Immediately Jesus said that.” Reading this pace has a way of making us feel exhausted!
And yet, in the midst of this frenetic pace, St. Mark still teaches us an important lesson about self-care: taking time to rest and recharge, so that we are well-prepared for the work ahead of us. Even Jesus tells us that after healing the crowds, Jesus went of by himself to a deserted place to pray. We see this happen many times throughout the Gospels, and at key points in Jesus’ ministry. By taking this time for quiet and solitude, Jesus teaches us the importance of taking time to rest and recharge, so that we are better able to carry out the work entrusted to us.
We live in a day and age where the demands of work and family life can feel almost constant. The technological advancements of recent years have caused us to be bombarded almost non-stop with texts, emails, phone calls, and other notifications. Expectations of instant replies leave some people feeling frustrated if they do not get a response five minutes after sending an email or message, even if it’s two in the morning! We can become so focused on meeting these near constant demands, that we fail to take time for ourselves to rest, recharge, and abide in the presence of God. And what happens as a result? We can become irritated, short-tempered, overwhelmed: the list goes on and on.
If we want to combat these negative attitudes and reactions, our task is to learn to take the time that we need for ourselves to be able to practice proper self-care. This is not an act of selfishness on our part, but a necessary step towards living a fuller and richer life. Taking this time also allows us to ask God for guidance and support as we face our day, and for greater peace when the demands of life seem overwhelming.
As we move towards the Lenten season, this is a perfect time for us to take stock of our lives, and see if we need to focus on taking more time for ourselves and for prayer. If we feel like we are constantly run ragged and burnt out, then perhaps the coming Lenten season is a perfect opportunity for us to focus on self-care, and creating more space for God in our lives.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Steven Huber, CSB