“He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’” – Mark 6:31

When you and I go through stressful situations at home or work, we probably want to take time alone to decompress. Some people like to go for a walk or work out at those times. If you’re a parent, especially with little ones, that “alone” time is valuable because it’s extremely rare. The kids demand your attention. They need to be fed, do their homework, and get ready for bed. Then, when you finally have a few free moments, you’re too tired to enjoy them.   

In last week’s Gospel from Mark, Jesus instructed His disciples to go out in pairs to preach, teach and cure. This week, they return to Jesus and share all they had accomplished. After the update, He instructs them to take some time away for themselves, to rest and recover. He knew that they would need that rest to prepare for future missions. Those would come quickly, as the people who followed Jesus were hungering for His words and all the great deeds they heard that He was doing. They chased Jesus to the other side of the lake with the hopes that He would give them what they wanted.  He saw them and had great pity for they “were like sheep without a shepherd."  

Despite being tired, He desired to be there for them. This serves as a lesson for clergy. Bishops, priests and deacons need time to rest, a day off once in awhile, so that when we’re called into service, we’re ready to go. By virtue of our baptism, all Christians are called to serve and work in the Lord’s vineyard. But, we also need time to rest. I’ve encountered people who don’t do this and end up burning out. They work hard, but they haven’t taken care of themselves physically or spiritually.  

If possible, consider taking a weekend spiritual retreat that might be offered by your parish or the Diocese. If you don’t have a weekend, try to spend just a few minutes each day reading God’s Word in the Bible. Just five to ten minutes a day devoted to God can be a daily retreat which will strengthen you for the next journey.  

By Manuel Rueda, Catholic News Service

(CNS) — The Cuban bishops’ conference called on the island’s government and protesters to “listen to each other” and avoid violence as the country reels from demonstrations sparked by food shortages, power outages and worsening economic conditions. 

(CNS) — Try a little tenderness. That’s basically how Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, 73, summarized Pope Francis’ vision for what older people, their grandchildren and friends should do to change the world after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cardinal, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, used the word “tenderness” nine times when he presented to the press the pope’s message for the celebration July 25 of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Click here to read more.

The Diocese of St. Petersburg has been bringing you these episodes of Catholic Planner each week, and yet perhaps as they’ve kept rolling on through the weeks, you’ve wondered: just what is a Diocese anyway? Learn more on this episode of Catholic Planner. Click here or on the image above to watch.

Bishop Parkes shares about discerning and answering God's call in a person's life. Click here or on the image above to listen.