23 rd July, 2006

16 th Sunday - Year B

S: Good morning - today we’re on about the importance of taking time to rest - many of you may be back from holidays or planning to get away - but whatever, we hope that you are getting a good rest during this holiday time.

B: Our word of life for today comes from Mark’s Gospel - the disciples have returned exhausted and Jesus says “You must come away to some lonely place and rest for a while” So Jesus saw the importance of people taking time to recharge their batteries and boy do we need that today! with so little time and so much to do.

S: You know Brenda; our lives can be so busy with trying to accommodate everyone, being all things to everybody and precious little to us. We’ve become so busy that I believe the Gardai already speak of speeding motorists eating, reading, phoning, even shaving and applying makeup while driving - mad isn’t it! But not too unfamiliar.

B: I really think it is time to slow down and the following prayer invites us to see solitude as something important in our lives.

Jesus, you often went away to a lonely place

and there you spent time with the Father.

In my heart Lord, there is also a lonely place,

and emptiness which is not filled,

a thirst which is not quenched.

No matter how many friends I have,

I am not satisfied,

I must still stand alone.

Loneliness frightens me.

Take away the fear Lord.

Help me to understand, that like you,

I need a place of solitude,

an inner temple which can only be filled by you, Lord.

S: Help me to treasure Solitude.

In Solitude Lord, you teach us that we belong to you,

you teach us that you are the source of all true friendship,

you teach us that each one is unique,

that each one is different and beautiful.

In solitude, you teach us not to be afraid,

for you are always close to us,

you are always there,

you are always giving us strength to carry on.

B: You’ve been listening to "Just a thought" with Brenda Cribbin...

S: and Seamus Madigan. We can be contacted through the Limerick Diocesan Offices at Henry Street. You can also download your own copy of this reflection by clicking on limerickdiocese.org

B: Next week is our last thought before the summer break. We look forward to your company next week, so take care...

S & B: Bye

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