Learning to Say No
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 6:30-34 - The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place 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. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.
When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many thing.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Jesus says, “Rest.” Does that strike us as odd? It sure seems like Jesus had a lot of things going on! Yet after the Apostles get back from their mission of traveling around teaching and healing, Jesus tells them to take some time to recuperate. This great advice for people today. The reason that many people don’t have deep faith lives is because they are simply too busy: volunteering, traveling, over-working, exercising constantly, attending every school event, etc.
Our souls suffer when we fail to prioritize God’ will in our life. Our souls suffer. God has certain things He wants us to do—and He wants us to do these well. If we are going to devote ourselves to the faith, to our marriage, to our family, to our state in life—we have to get the proper rest. We have to learn to say “no” to things, even good things if they aren’t necessary or healthy for us. We will never be good Christians until we do. In prayer, consider which of our many activities might be unnecessary or unhealthy, and how they harm the necessary and healthy pursuit of God’s will.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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