Diet

Mark 6 has all the elements of a balanced, spiritual diet.

Naturally enough prayer:

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.

The apostles have had a go at preaching the Kingdom and now return to Jesus. They tell him ‘all that they have done and taught.’

At the end of the day, it is a good idea to find some time to let Jesus know what has happened and who we have spoken with.

Second, chaos:

For many were coming and going and they had no leisure even to eat.

When we get committed, our time is not our own. Life becomes a steady stream of demands, beyond our control.

The best thing is ‘to roll with the punches.’ It is normal to experience chaos – to feel it.

Chaos is essential to discipleship – part and parcel of life. There is a normalcy in chaos. It sort of becomes fun.

Finding a deserted place ensures that order emerges out of the chaos:

Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.

Genesis begins with God speaking a word and suddenly light emerges out of darkness, fullness out of emptiness, order out of chaos.

It is important to find a deserted, desolate place to hear the word of truth and grace. We have to find that deserted place. It is different for different people – naturally enough.

It might be walking, time in the car alone, a particular place in the home or garden, our bedroom, our parish Church. We really must find this place – this space. When we find it, we love it.

Rest – the final ingredient of the diet.

There is a rhythm to life. Six days of work, one day of rest (Genesis 1). With this rhythm we act like God.

The day of rest allows us to stop, look back and integrate our work into our character.

Our work becomes a conscious offering to God.