Balancing self-care and caring for others

Jul 19, 2024

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Readings: Jeremiah 23: 1-6;
Ephesians 2: 13-18;
Gospel: Mark 6: 30-34

In today’s world, many of us struggle with overwhelming busyness, leading to stress and a multitude of related issues. Stress-related illnesses have become widespread, impacting our relationships, homes, and communities. On the other hand, some experience the stress of unemployment, which brings its own set of challenges. This duality of stress, whether from too much work or too little, seems to be a pervasive issue in our society.

I often wonder if Jesus ever felt overwhelmed by the constant demands placed on Him. The endless stream of people seeking His help, the lack of time for Himself, and the pressure to meet the needs of others must have been exhausting. The crowds followed Him everywhere, arriving even before He did, with their problems and needs. The sheer volume of people and their needs would likely have been frustrating and tiring for anyone.

Despite these challenges, Jesus did not appear to be deterred or disheartened. Instead, He responded with deep compassion. He saw the sadness and lost state of the people and was moved to meet their needs. Jesus taught them, healed them, and fed them. His focus was always on others, not Himself. His life was characterised by sacrifice and self-giving long before His ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

This brings us to an important question: How do we approach our own lives? Do we live primarily for ourselves, focusing on our needs and desires, or do we also consider the needs of those around us? Self-care is crucial, and we should never overlook our own well-being. However, if self-care becomes our sole focus, we risk missing the needs of others and the opportunities God provides for us to serve.

In today’s gospel, we see a clear example of the challenge of busyness. The disciples had just returned from their mission, eager to share their experiences with Jesus. They were excited to recount the difference they had made in people’s lives. However, their joy was quickly overshadowed by the demands placed on Jesus. They were immediately surrounded by a crowd eager to hear Jesus’ teachings or seek His healing. The constant influx of people was relentless, with needs pressing in from every side.

Amidst this relentless busyness, Jesus spoke words of profound significance: “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” Jesus recognised the importance of rest, reflection, and refreshment. He understood that without these moments of respite, neither He nor His disciples could remain effective in their mission. This principle is evident throughout the Gospels. Jesus frequently withdrew to pray and find peace, especially when facing major tasks. He spent forty days in the wilderness following His baptism and before beginning His ministry. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His arrest, preparing Himself spiritually for the ordeal to come.

Jesus’ example teaches us a crucial lesson. Just as He needed time away from His ministry to recharge, we too must find our own moments of rest and renewal. If our lives are so packed that we cannot find time for ourselves or for God, we are too busy. We need to heed Jesus’ invitation to “rest a while” and develop our own rhythm of renewal. Each of us must find a balance that allows us to be effective in our roles and maintain our relationship with God.

Additionally, it is essential that we extend this principle of rest to others. We must be mindful of those around us who are overburdened and seek to support them in finding their own space for renewal. By sharing the load and alleviating stress for others, we contribute to a more balanced and compassionate community.

Reflecting on Jesus’ experiences, we can see that He faced the same dilemma of balancing personal needs with the demands of His mission. The constant need to care for others was a significant challenge, yet He managed to maintain His focus on serving others. This is a powerful example for us. While it is important to take care of our own needs, we must also be attentive to the needs of those around us and responsive to God’s call to serve.

Jesus’ life teaches us about the importance of finding balance between self-care and service to others. We must take time for ourselves to recharge and be effective in our roles. At the same time, we should be mindful of others’ needs and seek to support them in their moments of exhaustion. By doing so, we align ourselves with Jesus’ example and contribute to building a compassionate and supportive community.