Many of us have been in the position of being taken care of. After illness, surgery or accident we might need special care while we heal. If you have been in that position, you probably observed how much work it is being cared for. Most of us have at one time or another been caregivers to others; children, parents, spouse or loved ones. If these periods were extended, you know personally the toll they can take on the caregivers.
These days we encourage caregivers to take time to take care of themselves. That can be anything from just getting out of the house for a few minutes to going away to get some rest. Such ideas seem so modern to us, but we are not the first to propose such self-care.
In this Sunday’s Gospel we read that when the disciples returned after proclaiming Jesus to the crowds, Jesus advises them to get away and rest so they can take care of themselves. It was great advice then, and it is still great advice today. Sometimes it seems that the needs of another are so great that we should not think of ourselves at all; but Jesus also honors the caregiver. We are sent from Christ’s table to care for others and for ourselves.
Thanks be to God.
Pastor Bill