Daily Gospel Reflection for February 5, 2022

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

I first heard the voice of Jesus after stepping away from the noise of the world and attending a silent retreat. No it wasn’t audible, but His voice spoke right to my heart in a profound way, changing my life forever. Because of this, I’m well aware of the importance of intentionally planning quiet time to sit with the Lord. So when Jesus invites His apostles to go away with Him to a deserted place and rest, my heart smiles, anticipating the peace the apostles will soon experience. I wonder if, in the same way, the apostles also approached their time away with Jesus with hopeful expectation.

We quickly see, however, that the plans changed. Crowds filled that deserted spot; it would no longer be a time and place for the apostles to rest and recharge with Jesus, their friend and teacher. We’re told Jesus saw the crowds, and His heart was moved with pity for the people. We’re told nothing, however, of the apostles’ reaction to this change in plans.

And so, considering my own likely (albeit pathetic) response, I wonder . . . When they saw the crowds, were the apostles disappointed, frustrated, or possibly even angry that their plans for quiet time with Jesus were interrupted?

Did disappointment over this unexpected change affect their ability to greet the crowds with love and kindness?

Or perhaps, were they able to view their time in the boat with Jesus as a beautiful opportunity to spend time with Him? And though the experience did not look as they originally pictured, were they able to walk away from that boat ride feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to accomplish the mission to which Jesus had called them?

Ponder:

Jesus, I know You are by my side all day, and therefore have given me countless opportunities to spend time with You, but do I take advantage of them even when they don't look like I planned?

Pray:

Jesus, my heart longs to spend time with You. Help me to anticipate, to see, and to step into each unplanned but valuable "boat ride" moment I encounter throughout my day.

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When Jesus invites His apostles to go away with Him to a deserted place and rest, my heart smiles, anticipating the peace the apostles will soon experience. #dailygospel

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