In the gospel reading for today's liturgy, we read that Jesus wants to cross over a body of water to get away from the crowd.
He gives us two thoughts: no place to rest his head and leave the dead for others to bury. What meaning is there for us in his teaching?
First, let's consider why he wants to leave the crowd. The impact of the crowd deprives him of needed quiet time. What is the crowd in my life? Always being busy? Letting people or things distract me?
Now to the thoughts. Both suggest a freedom from something or someones. But suggest we consider what distractions challenge our spiritual life, some time for prayer. Having no place to rest his head ultimately suggests freedom from material worries that might impact our lives. Not dealing with the dead could easily suggest that we need to be free of what no longer offers us life.
The reading forces us to ask: Do we truly understand the significance of our spiritual journey, a bit of traveling that we should embark on each day? If I cannot be free of things and persons that are not good for me nor that which no longer gives me life, do I really understand the spiritual life that God has called me to follow?
Can I write down in just a simple sentence what I believe God wants me to do? Read that sentence several times and then ask, "Am I willing to live that life?"
