Word to the Wise
Saturday, February 4, 2017 - Saturday in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
[Heb 13:15-17, 20-21 and Mark 6:30-34]The Apostles gathered togther with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boatby themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. [Mark]
FEBRUARY 4 ST. CATHERINE DE RICCI, O.P.
There is a comic element in this passage. Jesus and the apostles hold a "staff meeting" and it becomes clear that the ministry is beginning to overwhelm him and them. So they decide to have a "staff retreat." But as soon as they try to sneak away, somebody on the shore sees it and passes the word. Since the boat probably stayed close enough to the shore to be seen, people could predict the likely destination, so they all run ahead and get there before the boat!! Talk about frustration!
One of the principal forms of itinerant preaching that I do is retreats for priests and Permanent Deacons/spouses. This should be time away to "rest a while" and get away from the pressing needs of the ministry. What do I see in between sessions? Long conversations on cell phones. I would not dare to tell them to not use their cell phones. That would create a greater distraction. But I can call their attention to the irony of "coming away to a 'deserted place' and rest a while" yet bringing the ministry with them in the form of a cell phone.
The point of getting away was not only to rest (I consider that part of a retreat), but also to pray. This, too, is a common problem for ordained ministers, particularly those in parish ministry. The constant demands involving finances, personnel, facilities and programs eat up the time. Prayer has to be "squeezed in" (especially the Liturgy of the Hours). Even personal health care gets postponed or ignored, along with emotional care and ordinary relationships. Continuing Education and study are at the bottom of the heap. The ministry becomes an all-devouring monster! I urge them to give as much attention to prayer, study and relationships (which includes health care of all kinds) as they do to ministry! I know that is a daunting challenge, but I've seen too many "burnt out cases" at retreats.
The Beloved Congregation can do their priests and deacons a big favor. Ask them if they take a day off, make a retreat, see their doctors on a regular basis, go to continuing education, eat a healthy diet and pray! See what response you get. If you have a pastor you love, then help with his maintenance! AMEN
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