Jesus invited the disciples to come and rest a while after their joyful return from the two-by-two mission of crucial conversion.
The Twelve met so many people; they did it with the art learned from Jesus: the blessing of providing close support while healing the struggles of life.
There is so much to do in Israel, yet Jesus, instead of throwing his disciples into the vortex of pain and hunger after returning from the mission, takes them away with him and patiently teaches them the wisdom of living. Some alone time with Jesus is more productive than complaining.
We live today in a culture where income must grow, and productivity must always increase. This has convinced us that commitments give value to life. Jesus teaches us that life is valuable regardless of our obligations.
People understood how Jesus felt, and the unstoppable flow of people reached them even in that secluded place. Instead of prioritizing his agenda, Jesus turned himself to the people. Why? Two words: he feels compassion. Compassion is a beautiful, infinite charge that indicates a bite, a cramp, or a spasm within. Jesus’ first reaction: he feels pain for the world’s pain.
Jesus turned to teach many things. He lit the way with a handful of light thrown into one’s heart.
This was a profound teaching to the Twelve: learn to look with heart and tenderness. Then, words will be born; when you learn compassion, the world is grafted into your soul, and we become one river.