22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Jesus left and went to a deserted place. 

It seems ironic that the Son of God, sent to love and save every single person on the planet, also made it a habit to avoid people.   It had nothing to do with how he felt about us, though, and everything to do with how he felt about God.

The Bible recounts many instances when Jesus went off to pray by himself. And sometimes the crowds managed to find him.

How did Jesus feel when people ruined his plans? We don’t know. We do know that he didn’t grumble about the interruptions but instead, he took the time to speak with the people and heal them. In today’s Gospel (Luke 4:38 – 44), for instance, Jesus must have treated the people respectfully, because they encouraged him to stay on. But Jesus knew God’s will for him, and his response was firm: it was time to pray, then move on.

Another instance of Jesus meeting an unexpected crowd occurs in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus wanted to be alone to grieve the death of his cousin John the Baptist. But when a large crowd tracked him down, he was “moved with pity” and healed their sick (Matthew 14:14). He even fed them by multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish. Eventually, though, Jesus “dismissed the crowds” and “went up on the mountain by himself to pray” (Matthew 14:22, 23).

As unique as Jesus’ life was, in many ways it was also similar to our lives. Like us, he faced many demands on his time, and he had to handle life’s bumps with grace and humility.

We should be flexible with our schedules, as Jesus was, especially when people need our love and help. He never ignored the person right in front of him. But he was just as careful not to ignore the Father, whose love sustained and strengthened him. If Jesus, who was without sin, needed time alone with God, how much more do we need it!

So if your plans for quiet prayer are interrupted, don’t fret. Just look to the next opportunity. Make God a priority. Pray that you are following his will for you. He will provide the balance and peace you are seeking for your busy life.

“Jesus, teach me how to balance the needs of people with my need to spend time with you.”

1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Psalm 33:12-15, 20-21