This morning’s Gospel begins “When Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there to a deserted place by himself.”

What Jesus had heard of was rhe brutal death of John the Baptist.

While the Gospel text focuses on the miracle of loaves and fishes, I’m struck by Jesus’ withdrawal..

Maybe because I myself am on holiday and I always struggle with feelings of guilt when I’m not “working / producing”, but the good news for me today was being reminded the Beloved of God also took breaks.

I am reminded that he withdrew not only to rest physically but to grieve.

Jesus also rested his weary soul in the face of the world’s evil, after experiencing a personal loss, when life suddenly went in an unexpected direction and required reflection and planning and most of all, prayer and trust in the One who had sent him.

Again this is good news.

If God Incarnate grieves, feels weary, prays for guidance, needs space and time just to rest a body and spirit exhausted by life’s upheavals, why wouldn’t you and I?

It’s ok to withdraw & rest.
It’s ok to be tired & grieving.
It’s ok to stop, reset & go in a new direction.

It’s not only ok...it’s holy work.

And miracles that feed others will flow from your time of rest and healing.