Come away

This Sunday’s gospel from Mark offers a reminder of the importance of balance, compassion, and spiritual nourishment.

It seems timely, as we face trauma following the spate of killings over the weekend, and we all wonder, perhaps helplessly, ‘When will it end?’

Jesus recognises the fatigue of His apostles, who have been tirelessly working to spread His message. Their exhaustion mirrors the burnout many of us experience in our fast-paced, hyperconnected world while also being hyper-vigilant of our personal safety. It can be, in short, a taxing existence.

We often find ourselves neglecting our basic need for rest and reflection. Jesus’ instruction to “come away to some lonely place” underscores the vital importance of retreat and self-care.

The reality is just as we try to carve out moments of peace, we are besieged by notifications, deadlines, societal expectations, negative social media posts and headlines. Where is our space for peace? How do we find it?

The crowd’s eagerness to follow Jesus, even outpacing Him to His destination, reflects humanity’s deep-seated hunger for guidance and meaning.

In a society rife with discord, people desperately seek direction and hope. Like sheep without a shepherd, many feel lost and vulnerable in a world that often seems chaotic and threatening.

Jesus’ response to the crowd is particularly telling. He responds with compassion. He sees beyond the inconvenience to recognise the crowd’s profound need.

This compassionate response offers a powerful counter-narrative to the violence and indifference often prevalent in our society.

The image of Jesus teaching the crowd “at some length” suggests the depth of their need and His commitment to addressing it. In our sound-bite culture, where complex issues are often oversimplified, this reminds us of the value of deep, sustained engagement with life’s fundamental questions.

This passage invites us to reflect on several key questions in our own lives: How do we balance self-care with the needs of others?

How can we cultivate and express compassion when there is the overwhelming desire to keep ourselves and loved ones safe and protected from random and external acts of violence?

How do we find spiritual nourishment amidst the chaos of daily life?

What does it mean to be a “shepherd” in our communities?

The Gospel doesn’t provide easy answers, and perhaps there are none, but it does offer a model in Jesus’ response. It suggests that true leadership and spiritual growth involve a delicate balance between self-care and selfless service, between retreat and engagement.

As we navigate the complexities of modern life, with its myriad stressors, and competing demands, this passage reminds us of the enduring human need for compassion, guidance, and  especially spiritual sustenance.

It challenges us to find ways to meet these needs in ourselves and others, even as we acknowledge the difficulty of the task.