SERMON/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II 3rd February 2024

SERMON/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II 3rd February 2024

1Kings 3:4-13; Ps.119; Mark 6:30-34

The Lord gives us Rest

When a child impresses the parents, he/she gets a pat on the back. In today’s gospel, the disciples of Jesus returned from the mission Jesus sent them. As good stewards, they reported their experiences to Jesus. It was a successful outing because they were faithful to Jesus’ guidelines. Every good instructor knows well how to use the principles of reward and punishment to encourage good behaviours and to discourage bad behaviours respectively.

However, the reward Jesus gave to his disciples for their faithfulness and success was to invite them to rest. What sought of reward was that? Without being told, don’t the disciples know how to rest when they are tired?

Beloved in Christ, the rest that Jesus gave to his disciples is the same reward he gives to you and I when we act faithfully towards him. This rest goes beyond mere withdrawing from active service to calm ones nerves. The rest Jesus gives is his peace; and the fullness of this rest is realized in heaven. Jesus invites us to rest not only when have done well but also when we are besieged by the troubles of the world (cf.Matt.11:28). To rest means to anchor our lives on Christ.

The Joy of the Lord remains the strength of all who place their trust in the Lord. To rest in the Lord is to find true peace.