Breaking the Word

and rest a while." People were coming and going in great 

numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they 

went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. 

Mk 6,31-32

Jesus asks disciples to take rest.

But, it he who said that the harvest is plenty and the labourers

are few. (Mt 9,37)

It is he who sent his disciples with nothing to carry with except

the message. Because the mission was urgent and it has to 

be completed in time. They had no time to sit and relax in stead 

they had to dust their feet and move to next place.

How could such urgency be broken with rest in the desert?

Could we say that Jesus, though he was aware of the urgency

of the mission, was more human than many of us. When he 

knew that his disciples had completed a course of activities,

then he also allowed them to have the needed rest.

When he sent them for a mission he gave them directions as to

what to carry and how to go about. But now they are just told 

to be off and take rest. Nothing to do.  It is only for a while.

Could this be to imitate God the creator who rested on the sabbath?

That is God created everything, then rested, then he continued 

with the other works (providence, redemption etc).

Similarly this rest could be, to start other activities, for the disciples.

Whatever be Jesus says that rest is to have a break from the previous

activities; it is to move away from the place of ministry (to desert);

it is also to be far away form the people (not to be disturbed).

And it is for a while. 

King Herod heard about it, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”  But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.” Mk 6, 14.16

Today’s reading is very interesting. Mark, the author, has written it with a journalist’s hand, we can say. The three areas that he touches in the reading are important and even today’s news papers will work the same way. 

They are : the people on high places (King Herod), the sex scandal, and the religion. One thing is certain that what we have read in todays reading is historical. If it was not true, then the first century people (authority) would not have allowed this story to go around among the people. Historians have written more than enough about King Herod and his wicked ways. 

Also, what is written about Jesus is more than true because the people thought that he was a prophet. He was behaving as a prophet and he spoke of himself as a prophet. Because he was doing prophetic works. Elijah, who according to Jewish tradition would return to get things ready for the final judgement.

Here, Herod speaks theology. He speaks about resurrection. But he is wrong in saying that John is risen in Jesus. Resurrection is not the work of John or Jesus, it is the work of GOD. 

His guilty conscience pricks. 

His guilty conscience is not at peace. 

Whatever happens around is a constant reminder of the wrong that one has done.  

Whatever be the ugly story, in it, there can be found real encouragement to faithful witness and constant hope.