Today’s Gospel reading is about Jesus and
his three closest friends having some ‘time- out’ together and the beneficial
consequences of doing this. They had been having a busy time and for Jesus, it
was becoming more apparent that his activities and teaching were annoying the
religious authorities. They were frequently questioning him and trying to trip
him up. Just before this story [16:13-16], he asked his disciples, “Who do
people say that the son of man is?” The term, “son of man” was a way in which
people of the time referred to them-self. After they had answered, Jesus had
asked, “Who do you say that I am?” and seemed pleased with the reassurance he
got from them, which was different to his reaction recorded in Mark’s Gospel
[Mark 8:27-29]. Perhaps Jesus, in his humanness was having a crisis of identity
and was wondering himself just who he was.
...As I was writing this, there was a
programme on Radio National about disciplining children. Many times during this
hour, people mentioned ‘Time Out’ as a punishment which is very effective. I am
always saddened to hear this. It is a shame if people think and children grow
up understanding, that taking time out is a sort of punishment. While time out
does generally change people, it may not be for the reason those doing the
disciplining think. As we can see from our stories today, time out is a
privilege, a gift we can give to ourselves and to others and a necessary part
of our relationship with God.
These times out are a gift from God for us,
another form of Sabbath rest in which our relationship with God others and
ourselves can grow. I urge you to follow Moses and Jesus’ example, whether for
one day or up to forty days. There is no way of knowing before what you will
see and hear, but it is guaranteed you will come back transformed. You will see
Christ in a new way and that will enrich your relationships. If you haven’t
done so already, I urge you accept the invitation for some time out with God.
You, too, may be radically transformed by the experience.
Rev Julianne Parker
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