We all need quiet time to ourselves every once and awhile. Jesus in the Gospel is seeking quiet time. His very best friend just died, St. John the Baptist. Jesus sought a deserted place to pray, to think, and to mourn the loss of his cousin/friend. The crowds however, with all their needs, hear that Jesus is in this boat by Himself and they seek Him out. Very akin to our modern day paparazzi. Never once does Jesus say to the crowds, I’m too busy, leave me alone, or can’t you see I’m grieving the loss of my dear friend. Jesus genuinely felt compassion for anyone who interrupted or asked for His help. Jesus ignores His personal need for time and defers to anyone in need. This is his priority no matter what! In the case of today’s gospel, many in the crowd came for a miracle, to hear him preach, and to receive His peace. Jesus continues helping the crowd by meeting all their needs including feeding them. So today we have the great miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. Some days my life are extremely busy. It seems I no longer finish one call and another one comes in. Then the funeral director calls, someone just passed away, candles need changed, laundry is in the dryer, and not to mention I have to get working on my homily early in the week. I am sure life as a parent is much the same. Mary needs to be at baseball practice at 3:00, Joey needs to be at the dentist by 4:30 pm and don’t forget to pick up the pizza by 5:45 because they close at 6. This does not mean we don’t cherish our vocations. I believe the deeper question we need to ask ourselves is “how do we manage our busy time?” Do people receive our priority attention when we are interrupted and are in need? Is a favor asked of us by a friend an opportunity or a threat to our peaceful day? The late Fr. Henry Nouwen, theologian and writer at the end of his life, looked at being interrupted in a whole different way. He said this, “my whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted, until I discovered that interruptions were really the work of the Lord in my life.” So be careful who you dismiss, write off or shoo away when you are busy. These as we say “interruptions” just may be the Lord.
