www.vocation.com - Bonded to Jesus

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving, and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I am going to spend this time praying and reflecting on your gospel. I believe that you reveal yourself and your doctrine to me in the gospels. Reveal yourself to my soul. I want to love as you love, to teach as you taught, to build the Kingdom as you built the Kingdom. Fill my heart with your very own sentiments of love and zeal for souls.

Petition: Lord, give me the same enthusiastic love for souls that you had, which will motivate me to work for their salvation at any cost.

1. Jesus Multiplies Himself. In this passage the apostles have just returned from their first apostolic mission. The love that Jesus has for souls motivated him to send out his disciples to preach, cure the sick, and drive out demons. Jesus is not satisfied with simply doing good for those who happen to cross his path, but wishes to reach the greatest number of souls possible, and for this reason he has trained his apostles and sent them out. Love strives to reach the beloved. Christ strives to reach the souls he loves through his apostles. He multiplies himself.

2. The Report. The apostles return to report on their mission. We can imagine Jesus' excitement as he listens to their stories. They are learning, the mission is being fulfilled, souls are being reached with Gods love, and this thrills him. He is very happy for his apostles. Sharing in a common mission draws them all closer together. Jesus wants to spend time alone with them to build that common bond, and he wants them to rest after their labors.

3. The Heart of Christ. When Jesus goes off with his disciples the crowds follow. Jesus heart is moved with pity at their needs. For him the crowd is not a faceless mass but individuals in need of mercy, teaching and conversion. Each person is an individual to reach and to save. The heart of Christ harbors no selfishness. He quickly abandons his plan for the deserved rest to give himself to the people. His is a practical generosity.

Conversation: Lord, I want to be your apostle. I want to help you to reach everyone with your mercy and love. I hope to have many stories to share with you as the disciples shared theirs. There is nothing I would like more then to see your interest and joy at my efforts. And even more, I want to be generous especially when the mission is demanding and I need to forget about myself and my own concerns. Lord, let me love as you do.

Questionnaire

1. How do I show I really love the souls God has entrusted to me? What moves me?

2. Would Jesus have any reason to get excited with what I am doing for him?

3. What happens in my heart when I see so many people who do not know God and are without any direction in their lives? Do I do anything to help those that are closest to me to know God and live in his Grace?