Youth for Christ Sto. Tomas Cluster

04022012

1 Kings 3:4-13/ Psalm 119

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Art by: Leo Zarsaga

Rest At Its Best

One definition of rest is a period of time that you spend relaxing or sleeping after doing something tiring. This is what Jesus offered His apostles–a well-deserved rest after a tiresome work.

Among the things that make me feel most upset  is seeing bum people – the so called bystanders, who as if had woken up one morning for the purpose of sleeping the coming night. The kick’s even harder whenever I hear the line, “I just don’t have anything to do”.

I believe that tasks–like opportunities and blessings–are not to be waited for, but to be looked for.  These tasks grant us a venue to serve and love God in others.  And for this, they are worth it to be chased and paved way for.

And after being productive like the apostles who didn’t even have the opportunity to eat?  Hooray! The best reward that Christ Himself will offer is rest–rest at its best! Imagine the urge of  lying down when you are tired like never before– and the “Hmmmn” as your head hits your pillow, plus the feel of the blanket wrapped around you! Compared to the feeling of sleeping as just something to do, the fulfillment the former brings is incomparable!

Notice that Christ’s popular line before sending His people is “take up your cross and follow me“, and is not in anyway close to “go to sleep for now, then follow me later”. It is not that the Lord loves to see us looking weary, but because  this rest that we all long for is best enjoyed after a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual workout. Let’s go kick some tasks!

Writer: Jhong Cabe | Artist: Leo Zarsaga

via CFCYOUTHFORCHRIST.NET