Come With Me… An invitation to retreat
“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6: 30-31 (NIV)
We do not know the exact time, date, or precise location of this moment, but the apostle Mark deems it important enough to include it in his gospel. This scenario may be of an occasion that is centuries old and yet, it is playing out every day in our twenty first century western world. Some lived experiences remain.
If you have been through busy periods at home, in the community, in education or at work then you will relate to what is happening. You are the person that others are gathering around. Reports are being given by excitable and competing voices in your presence or via emails and texts. There are people coming into and going out of your personal space, literally or virtually. There are multiple demands for your attention, skills, energy, time, resources, and input.
During these seasons in our lives, it might mean that we do not have the chance to eat much or sit down and enjoy a meal. This is not deliberate neglect; it is simply that life at that moment is so full on that taking care of our basic needs is not a priority. It is during this hustle and bustle, that Jesus tells his companions that it is time to go away to a quiet place and get some rest.
Jesus is fully present to what is going on in and around him. He has a desire for slowness, stillness, silence, solitude. Jesus has the audacity to voice his need to step back, to create distance, to exhale, to re-establish a somatic and emotional boundary. For whatever the reason or reasons, Jesus calls those he knows and loves, to step away.
The preceding verses in Mark 6 give the context and events that Jesus had faced. Was he overwhelmed by rejection? Did he need to grieve for his cousin, John the Baptist? Was he attempting to press the pause button before the suffering to come? Perhaps he had had enough of people brushing past or into him. By now his popularity was growing and reputation spreading. Whatever was going on inside of Jesus, he needed spaciousness on the outside.
None of us can ignore busyness as we go through the ages and stages of our lives. The reality of living in the western world, means that busyness becomes a badge of honour. Whether because of the ‘protestant’ work ethic, or in my case, African work ethic, busyness is an external sign of productivity. We get validation from it because others perceive that we are needed, adequate, useful, and significant. Our world encourages us to do more and more and more, never less. We can easily use our time, and energy on what is a never-ending treadmill of busyness.
Of course, busyness has a place, we all need to get things done and make things happen. There are seasons of life when it seems like everything is happening at once. However, when busyness consistently takes up large chunks of our attention, or drives us to distraction, or is a form of avoidance, or tempts us to keep doing and doing and doing, then it is a problem.
I am in awe of Jesus, who amid productivity, achievement and success, invites his friends, his co-workers, to take a break. In the ‘high’ of the moment they may not have realised that this is what they and Jesus needs. We Spiritual Directors are friends of and co-workers with Jesus, we have needs. Retreats are not just for those we accompany; they are for us too.
Saying yes to a retreat is making a temporary pause, it is one way of resisting western expectations. It is a powerful ancient practice, an expression of spiritual direction sideways . Going on a retreat is taking an inner pilgrimage, away from or at home, and in doing so you are making a countercultural stand. Saying yes to the quiet, means putting the stresses, pressures and demands of life to one side. They will be there when you return!
We may not have noticed our attachment to busyness… there is no judgement. To retreat is a chance to be with the Trinity and experience their lifegiving rest. This may be what you desire most of all but the temptation to remain busy is a powerful, ingrained habit. Encountering Godself is always good and it is never wasted time when we retreat to the quiet place.
Reflect
As you contemplate Mark 6:30-31 what do you experience?
Picture yourself in the scene, what sensations arise? What might you see and hear? What questions and thoughts do you have?
Who are you in this scene?
If you are a disciple, what would you want to share with Jesus about your ministry of spiritual direction/accompaniment?
Is Godself inviting you to retreat more? How do you notice your desire for quiet and a need to rest?
Grace Owen
Grace works at the intersection of spirituality, leadership, and justice for the greater flourishing of people and planet. A Spiritual Director, life writer, and retreat leader, she is studying for an MA in Christian Spirituality at Sarum College, Salisbury.
On Saturday 17 October, Grace is leading Nature Encounters - A Quiet Day at the Royal Foundation of St Katharine’s in East London. You can connect with her on LinkedIn Grace Owen | LinkedIn