Come…and Rest a While (Mk 6:31a)

This is a blog about taking naps. God did it on the 7^th day of creation.  Jesus did it quite frequently when He went away by Himself for to pray and rest.  Pope Francis does it almost every afternoon when he goes to his chapel after lunch and spends 10-15 minutes praying and then another 10-15 minutes taking a little nap.   And he says St. Therese did it too. 

I do it almost every Saturday morning when the pressure is on to pull together the threads of a weekend homily.  By that point I have too many ideas. And I’m at wit’s end to edit, discard, add, coordinate or start over.  So I settle into my recliner and I bring the mess of ideas forward and take a little nap. About  10 minutes. 

Almost always when I wake up, things have gelled.  It may not result in a good homily, but I’ve narrowed the options and have a clearer focus. It settles me. I call it a ‘holy nap’.

So, with my expertise in ‘napping’, I’ve written up a document called: “Directions for Taking a Holy Nap”.  That document is also attached to today’s new post message.  If you try taking a ‘Holy Nap’, let me know. 

                                                                      Baggage

A backpack filled with a bunch of books.  Another backpack filled with clothes.  A plastic bag with toiletries and an extra pair of shoes. My computer.  A small plastic bag with snacks for the journey.  This is a list of baggage I stuffed into my car for a recent trip to Ann Arbor Michigan where I met my sister for a 3 day vacation.

‘Embarrassed’ is the best word to describe my reaction to a sentence in last Sunday’s Gospel. (Mk 6:7-13)  “Jesus summoned the twelve and sent them out two by two”…”He instructed them to take nothing on their journey except a walking stick – no food” (I think that means no snacks) “no traveling bag” (I think that means no backpacks or computer case)…”Do not bring a second tunic.” I think that means that 4 shirts were too many!!!

Why did I take so much luggage?  Do you take too much baggage too? Why?

And then, of course, there’s more to the story about my baggage.  My baggage also includes my dispositions, my moods, my prejudices, my anxieties, my insecurities, etc.

If I traveled this week I’d take less stuff and less personal baggage too.  Make a list of ‘stuff’ and ‘personal baggage’ that you’d leave behind on your next journey.

                                      He Could Work No Mighty Deed There…

Last weekend’s Gospel (Mk 6:1-6) told the story of Jesus’ first visit to Nazareth after His ministry began so successfully in Capernaum. It was in Capernaum that Jesus cast out demons and healed many sick people. And the people of that town recognized Jesus as someone who taught with authority.

But His hometown folks treated Him badly.  They insulted Him.  They misjudged Him.  They didn’t give Him a chance to be the person that the Father called “His Beloved Son” at His Baptism.  They jumped to rash unflattering conclusions.  In the face of all that, “He could work no mighty deed there.” What a sad story!

It was a rejection of Jesus by a community.  It wasn’t some personal misunderstanding.  It was a judgment by the people He had grown up with…people whom He loved. That hurt.

One insult was particularly ugly.  It was the remark that He was ‘the son of Mary’. Mary Healy in her book The Gospel of Mark suggests that those words might be “a veiled slur, alluding to the fact that Mary was not yet married at the time of Jesus’ conception.” How do you think Jesus would have felt about that?    

The antidote to misjudging people is to try to see people the way that God sees them.

                                                      Healing Souls    

Last Sunday’s Gospel contained a story about a woman who had hemorrhages for 12 years. She’d heard of Jesus and trusted that she’d be healed if she just touched His garment. And, when she did that, she was physically healed. (Mk 5:25-34)

But think about her soul over those 12 years.  Depression, dashed hopes from doctors who made matters worse, living outside the community because she was considered ‘unclean’…like a leper.  Her spirit was numbed.  Her soul needed healing too.

When Jesus asked the crowd who touched Him, she was afraid to come forward.  But, falling down before Him ‘with fear and trembling’, Jesus comforted her by calling her ‘Daughter’. Because of her faith, Jesus saw her as part of his family. And that tender response healed her soul.    

What is your soul? How would you define it?

How can we help heal someone’s soul? 

When has your soul needed healing? Who/what helped heal your soul?

                                             What Can We Do about the Migrant Issue?

Fr. James Martin recently wrote an article for America online services in which he outlined five things we can do to support our Catholic position on current migrant issues at our borders. Here is a summary of the article.

1.      

      Call your legislators.  This is something I’ve never done…until now.  Here are their numbers.  Congressman Paul Ryan represents Wisconsin’s 1^st Congressional District in which most readers of this blog reside.  His number is 202-225-3031.  Senator Ron Johnson can be reached at 202-224-5323 and Senator Tammy Baldwin at 202-224-5653. Messages for President Trump can be left at the switchboard at 202-456-1414.

2.      

      Inform yourself of the facts.  Go online to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office of Migration and Refugee Services for information.

3.      Help organizations, financially, which are assisting migrants now.  Catholic Charities/USA is very reputable.

4.      Advocate for migrants with your friends and family.  Fr. Martin says: “The voiceless need our voices.”

5.       Pray for migrants especially the children and parents who have been separated.

                                               Monarch Butterflies and Migration

What an interesting story!  Monarch butterflies are the only insects that migrate.  They move from Canada and the US in the late summer to central Mexico for their winter hibernation. The distance between their summer and winter homes is 2,000-3,000 miles!   

Monarchs have a life expectancy of 5-7 weeks, which means that the first ones flying north for the summer will not reach their ultimate destination.  On their flight they seek milkweed plants on which to lay some eggs. The eggs hatch and become caterpillars. In a few weeks the caterpillars become butterflies. It takes 2 or 3 generations of Monarchs to reach their northern home.   

Monarch migration is written into their DNA. 

Human migration shows up in our DNA too.  All of us, including Native Americans, have come from someplace else long, long ago.  Our ancestors sought safety, security, food, freedom, and happiness for as long as human beings have dwelt on this earth. 

Lest we forget, our Statue of Liberty testifies to this truth about our homeland in the words of Emma Lazarus: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” What's  happening to our welcome mat?

                                                            The Suicides

Two notable Americans committed suicide last week: Kate Spade, a fashion designer and Anthony Bourdain, a famous chef and world traveler.  Spade suffered from depression for many years. So her decision wasn’t completely surprising. But Bourdain’s decision left people stunned.

    

Suicide is on the rise. I’ve also read that the incidence of suicide often increases after the suicides of famous people. I hope that doesn’t happen now. 

     

One commentator on Spade’s decision said “many people carry secrets around with them, things they simply don’t share.  On their faces we don’t see their heavy hearts.”  The deadly serious conclusion of that commentator was:  “Be kind.” That’s always good advice.

Almost 30 years ago I sought a Spiritual Director.  Like most people, I had struggles and memories that I held within.  I never really considered suicide.  But I knew I had to talk to someone who could help me sort things out, so I could become spiritually and emotionally healthier.

There is a spiritual side of every person God has made.

       

I can’t help but think that people who are suicidal might benefit from looking at the spiritual side of themselves with someone who can guide them. Who helps you be spiritually and emotionally healthy?