Christian Art | Jesus And His Apostles Seek A Desert Place
Mark 6: 30-34 – Week 4 Ordinary Time, Saturday (Audio Bible KJV, Spoken Word)
30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.
31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.
34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
The apostles have returned exhausted and energized to Jesus. They have succeeded in their mission and they are full of the glory of what they have accomplished. They long to tell Jesus all that they have done in Jesus’ name. This is a triumph for the disciples. They long to share.
Jesus’ feels all the apostles’ urgent need to tell him just how well they have done what they were instructed to do. When those disciples first set out, perhaps it was inevitable that they would have had their doubts, and now there is joy when those doubts and fears are overcome and proven groundless. This must be emotionally overwhelming for the reunion of Jesus and his disciples.
Jesus celebrates these feelings with the disciples while drawing them in to reflect awhile. It is as a mother or a careful teacher would manage the learning of a child.
There is to be no escape for Jesus and his disciples, however. This is now become a mass movement, indeed a frenzy: everybody wants to be near Jesus. It is truly terrifying. All privacy has been taken away. Jesus’ mission has become exhausting.
Jesus is not cowed by this mass influx of people begging for spiritual leadership. He knows that this is why he is here, and while it may be so hard on him, this is the mission that he is here to fulfil.
Jesus is exhausted and needs time with his closest disciples. Nonetheless, he has pity and chooses to give himself yet more, to teach the crowds. The giving is absolute.
24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
25 ¶ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel: 36: 24-28)
Concluding Prayer
All-powerful, eternal God,
splendour of true light and never-ending day:
at the return of the morning hour
chase away the night of sin,
and fill our minds with the glory of your coming.
We make our prayer through our Lord.
Audio Bible KJV | Endnotes
The Power Of Solitude – Learning From Jesus’ Example
In Mark 6:30-34, we see Jesus and his disciples seeking solitude in a desert place. While the disciples were eager to report to Jesus all that they had done and taught during their ministry, Jesus recognized that they needed a break. Jesus invited them to come away with him to a place where they could rest and be refreshed – to a desert place.
The desert place is both literally so and it can serve as metaphor. There is a stillness and a poverty in the desert. There is an exposure – both to the environment and to ourselves – and so to God.
The importance of solitude in the Christian life cannot be overstated. Throughout the Bible, we see many examples of people seeking solitude in order to connect with God. Moses, for example, spent 40 days alone with God on Mount Sinai, and Elijah heard the still, small voice of God while he was alone in a cave.
Similarly, Jesus often sought solitude in order to pray and to connect with his Father. In Mark 1:35, we see Jesus rising early in the morning to go to a solitary place to pray. In Luke 5:16, we see that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray.
In today’s fast-paced world, it can be difficult to find moments of solitude in our busy lives. However, the benefits of solitude are numerous. Solitude provides us with the space and time we need to reflect on our lives, to connect with God, and to gain clarity and perspective.
In his book The Power Of Solitude, Henri Nouwen writes: ‘Solitude is the furnace of transformation.’ Nouwen goes on to explain that when we enter into solitude, we open ourselves up to the transformative power of God’s love. Through prayer, meditation, and other spiritual practices, we can deepen our relationship with God and experience His presence in new and powerful ways.
In addition to the benefits of solitude for our personal spiritual growth, there are also benefits for our relationships with others. When we take time to step away from the noise and distractions of the world, we become more attuned to the needs and feelings of others. We are able to approach our relationships with a greater sense of compassion and understanding.
Furthermore, when we take time for solitude, we are better able to discern God’s will for our lives. In the quiet of solitude, we can more clearly hear God’s voice and direction. This allows us to make decisions that are in line with God’s plan for our lives and to approach challenges and opportunities with confidence and clarity.
One of the challenges of seeking solitude is that it can be difficult to find the time and space for it in our busy lives. However, there are many ways to incorporate moments of solitude into our daily routines. Whether it is taking a walk in nature, finding a quiet spot in our homes to pray, or simply turning off our devices for a few minutes each day, we can all find ways to prioritize solitude in our lives.
In addition, there are many Christian retreat centers and programs that offer opportunities for extended periods of solitude and reflection. These retreats can be a wonderful way to step away from the demands of daily life and to focus on deepening our relationship with God.
Pope Francis has spoken on the importance of retreat and solitude in the Christian life on several occasions. In his 2018 apostolic exhortation Gaudete Et Exsultate, Pope Francis writes: ‘We need to set aside a time each day for God, with prayer and Bible reading, while also setting aside moments of recollection throughout the day, particularly at night before retiring. Gradually, we can calm our anxious hearts, and we will be more serene and self-possessed.’
In addition, Pope Francis has frequently emphasized the importance of taking time for spiritual renewal through retreat. In a 2019 message to participants in a retreat for priests in the Diocese of Rome, Pope Francis encouraged the priests to take time for ‘silence, reflection, and prayer’ in order to ‘recharge their spiritual batteries’ and to be ‘better equipped to serve the people of God’.
The example of Jesus and His disciples in Mark 6:30-34 teaches us the importance of seeking solitude in order to rest, reflect, and connect with God. As we follow Jesus’ example, may we be intentional about carving out moments of solitude in our lives, and may we be open to the transformative power of God’s love as we do so.
John 4:13-14 (KJV) ‘Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’ Introduction to the Life of Saint Bernadette Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a humble peasant girl from Lourdes, France, lived her life of faith, humility, and divine grace. Born on January 7, 1844, in the small town of Lourdes, Bernadette was the eldest of nine children in a poor and struggling family. Her father, François Soubirous, was a miller, and her mother, Louise, a laundress. The family lived in a former prison cell known as the Cachot, a damp and cramped space, according to their dire financial situation. Despite their poverty, the Soubirous family was deeply rooted in their Christian faith, a foundation that would profoundly shape Bernadette’s life and spiritual journey. Bernadette’s early years were marked by significant health challenges. She suffered from asthma and other respiratory ailments, which often left her weak and unable to attend school regularly. This lack of formal education meant that Bernadette struggled with reading and writing, and her understanding of Christian doctrine was limited. Nevertheless, she possessed a remarkable simplicity and purity of heart, qualities that would make her an ideal recipient of divine revelations. Bernadette’s life changed irrevocably on February 11, 1858, when she experienced the first of eighteen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the grotto of Massabielle. On that cold winter day, Bernadette, her sister Toinette, and a friend were gathering firewood near the grotto when she heard a rustling sound and saw a beautiful lady dressed in white with a blue sash, holding a rosary. The lady, who later identified herself as the Immaculate Conception, appeared to Bernadette over the course of several months, delivering messages of penance, prayer, and the need for a chapel to be built at the site. Despite initial skepticism from her family and the local authorities, Bernadette remained steadfast in her account of the apparitions, enduring intense scrutiny and even ridicule. The apparitions drew enormous attention. Soon, people from all over France and beyond began to visit Lourdes, hoping to witness a miracle. One of the most significant messages conveyed by the Virgin Mary to Bernadette was the instruction to dig in the ground near the grotto, which led to the discovery of a spring. This spring, believed to have healing properties, became the focal point of the pilgrimage to Lourdes. Many miraculous healings have been attributed to the waters of Lourdes, reinforcing the belief in Bernadette’s visions and the sanctity of the site. As the apparitions concluded, Bernadette’s life took a different turn. In 1866, she joined the Sisters of Charity in Nevers, taking the name Sister Marie-Bernard. Her time in the convent was marked by continued poor health and humility, as she carried out menial tasks and lived a life of quiet service. Despite her physical suffering, Bernadette remained devout and accepted her hardships with grace, often repeating the phrase, “I am happier here in my little corner of the convent.” Her unwavering faith and dedication to her religious duties exemplified the depth of her spiritual commitment. Bernadette Soubirous passed away on April 16, 1879, at the age of 35, after a prolonged battle with tuberculosis. Her legacy, however, endured far beyond her earthly life. In 1933, she was canonized as a saint by Pope Pius XI, recognized for her humility, faith, and the miraculous events associated with her life. Today, millions of pilgrims flock to Lourdes each year, seeking spiritual renewal and physical healing at the site of her visions. Saint Bernadette’s life continues to inspire countless individuals around the world, reminding us of the power of faith, the virtue of humility, and the enduring presence of divine grace in our lives. To Visit Lourdes Visiting Lourdes, in the picturesque foothills of the Pyrenees in southwestern France, is an experience that transcends the physical journey, drawing pilgrims into a profound spiritual adventure. The small town, known for the Marian apparitions witnessed by Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, has become one of the world’s most revered pilgrimage sites. As we approach the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the atmosphere is imbued with a palpable sense of reverence and anticipation. The grand basilicas, the tranquil Grotto of Massabielle and the gently flowing waters of the miraculous spring together create a sacred environment that invites reflection, prayer, and a deep connection with the divine. The focal point of any visit to Lourdes is the Grotto, where Bernadette experienced the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here, pilgrims can touch the rock face, light candles, and drink or bathe in the spring’s water, believed to possess healing properties. The profound silence and sense of sacredness at the Grotto allow visitors to contemplate their faith, seek solace and find spiritual renewal. The Rosary Basilica, with its mosaics, and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, perched above the Grotto, offer spaces for communal worship and personal meditation. The nightly candlelight processions, where pilgrims from around the globe unite in prayer and song, highlight the universal bond of faith and hope that Lourdes represents. Beyond its physical beauty and historical significance, visiting Lourdes offers a deeply personal and transformative experience. Pilgrims often arrive burdened with ailments, grief, or spiritual crises, seeking comfort and miracles. The stories of healing and faith that emerge from Lourdes are testimonies to the enduring power of belief and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The communal aspect of the pilgrimage—sharing meals, prayers, and stories with fellow believers—fosters a sense of solidarity and mutual support. For many, the visit to Lourdes is a journey of healing, not only of the body but also of the soul, providing a renewed sense of purpose, peace, and spiritual clarity that lingers long after returning home. Prayer With Saint Bernadette Prayer for Intercession Dear […]
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