Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Suffering the loss of a loved one is exhausting in every way, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. The closer one has been to the deceased, the greater the emotional cost and need for rest. Today’s Gospel reveals the human emotions of Jesus grieving the death of John the Baptist and needing to take his small band of followers to a deserted place in order to find some rest and quiet.

We can relate to those special times when rest and quiet are badly needed. We can also relate to the challenge Jesus had to face. After arriving at a place of refuge, He finds a needy crowd already awaiting Him. What are the priorities? The people are hungry not just for physical food, but more importantly, they have traveled a long way to receive spiritual food of faith and wisdom. What to do?

The big picture takes priority. Genuine compassion finds a way to deal with personal and common needs. Jesus was moved by the crowd. He served their hungry hearts, but he also turned to his disciples in this time of need. It was a teachable moment of faith. He challenged them to reach beyond themselves and more deeply into the abundance of God’s compassion.

We might ask ourselves to step back from time to time and examine our big picture. Has my experience of compassion, least expected but most needed, opened my heart to a new level of faith and generosity?

Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB