Take a holiday!

Mark 6:30+31

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.”

Vacations and holidays are nice because they give us a chance to rest. Our bodies need rest from work and the hustle and bustle of life. But what about our souls? Our souls need rest too. Likewise, the apostles had been very busy telling people about Jesus, but to continue doing so, they themselves would need to rest for a bit, not just physically, but spiritually. They would find such rest by going by themselves to a solitary place and spending time with Jesus.

They needed to be reminded of God’s love and mercy individually and privately. This would be the gas they needed to keep going. Every time we meditate on God’s Word, we are “resting,” with Jesus. While they are various ways that we can rest our bodies, such as a vacation, there is only one way that our souls find rest, and that is being reminded that we have a loving and gracious God who has forgiven our sins through Jesus Christ. So, when you have time off, enjoy it, rest your body, but also rest your soul. Our rest is found in the Holy Word of God, the only place of true and lasting peace.

Vicar Valdez