Monday 9 December - He Withdrew by Boat Privately

Readings 

Psalm 36, Isaiah 30:19-end, Matthew 14:13-20 and 2 Corinthians 12

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed those who were ill.  As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so that they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.’ ‘We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,’ they answered. ‘Bring them here to me,’ he said. And he told the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.  Mth 14:13– 19

Reflection

The crowds were getting bigger, the ministry more public , mounting pressure, demands and  greater miracles. (Maybe you know the feeling when more people arrive on your doorstep longing to be fed at Christmas and the turkey wont stretch that far).  As it all grows—as the crowds grow bigger and the canvas of ministry increases with every footstep what does Jesus do?

Jesus takes time out. Jesus stills himself and his soul and re-focuses his gaze on his Father. He does this just before reminding Peter, whose attempt to walk on water does not go to plan , to keep his gaze on God. He reminds Peter, based entirely on knowing it for Himself, that he needs to remain and abide in God. Jesus speaks from experience. He withdraws when he hears the news of his cousin John the Baptist’s death—he finds that solitary place to be alone, to grieve and to offer all he has to God.

The more public the ministry, the more we do, the more we need to have times of withdrawal and solitude. Solitude—a word we tend not to like—we may visualise solitude as confinement, isolation, complete aloneness—it can have negative connotations. But this solitude is a deliberate act of retreating of allowing God to move in us so that we may then reach out and have compassion.  For here in this space there is God.   

Prayer

Surprising God
May I, this season, again join in the adventure of seeking the Christ child.
May I again offer myself to you, offering all I have been, all I am and all that is to come.
Praise you almighty God—for you are the same yesterday, today and forever.

In you I trust. In the silence and moment of isolation and complete oneness with you may I find you in hope and completeness. Amen