Summer: Not Vacation from the Faith

It is wise and dutiful to alternate adequate times and spaces for rest from one’s usual routine of activities, after having dedicated oneself to a particular project or studies. Jesus proposed this idea of rest to the group of Twelve. Those called for the first time– “apostles” (Mk 6:30a). We read about this rest in the Gospel today.

Summer Vacation

We are now in the season of summer. Many people will soon be going for their annual vacation. Some are already away. Attendance to the weekly Masses is gradually dwindling because many families are already on the move to the beaches, mountains and other reserved places to observe their vacation.

After the trauma, stress and crises occasioned by the challenges of Covid-19 and different lockdowns that the world experienced, one would not doubt that a period of rest and “fresh air” should be necessary. God already set the example of rest in Genesis 2:2–3 when He ceased from creating. In Exodus 20:8–11 God tells His people that they are to rest from their labor on the seventh day—to take a weekly vacation, as it were. Jesus himself also confirms that in today’s Gospel by inviting his apostles to come apart in a lonely place for some moment of rest (Mk 6:31).

For many families, summer means relaxed schedules, more family time enjoying the great outdoors, and week-long vacations at the beach or other exciting places. Unfortunately, the break from our normal routines can also make it tempting to take a vacation from our faith, which helps explain seasonal trends like drastically reduced church attendance during the summer months. After the summer vacations, many Christians might come back, physically renewed, but spiritually shattered.

Refreshment Time for The Apostles and Jesus

Jesus did not take a vacation from His ministry, but He did take times of refreshing. And also ensured that His disciples had the same. The intention of Jesus with the Twelve, to be alone on the sidelines, was disregarded by the coming and going of the crowd. The crowd managed to follow the route of the boat and came in large numbers to the other shore of the lake. That was to be the secluded place of rest for Jesus and his closest disciples.

Despite the frustration of not having been able to carve out a time for themselves, Jesus and His apostles continued their ministry. Caring for the people and preaching the Good News. The stressful coming and going of that crowd is similar to the way of life of our contemporary society. It seems to have become a slave to the chronology of programmed time, committed to doing a multiplicity of activities.

Balance

Balance is necessary when planning vacations. Every space and time of rest, lived individually or in small fraternities, cut out from the frenetic rush of other daily activities in the family and in the parish, should also favor some sort of intimacy with “Christ the Lord our peace” (Eph 2: 14a [2nd Reading]). And should become a fruitful opportunity of evaluation of our existential experience.

Today’s Gospel scene invites us to re-evaluate the gift of the Lord’s day (Sunday). It is open to all as an opportunity of rest. And to reconsider how we spend our vacation periods. Let us try to be good stewards of our time and finances during vacation. It is important to spend our resources on things that have true value. A good vacation will be restorative to our souls and help us continue in our labors for the Lord. Take some deserved time of rest, but do not rest from your faith.

[Readings: Jer 23:1-6; Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6; Eph 2:13-18; Mk 6:30-34]