You may recognise these words of Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel, sometimes used in our Communion Services, especially on Wednesday mornings.
I’ve been interested by the re-actions I’ve had from people regarding my recent 3 months’ Extended Study Leave. Some are fascinated by the concept. Others quite cynical. Others not able to understand its not just another name for a holiday! And others wistfully remarking they wish they ‘could have 3 months off’! And therefore I’ve also struggled with the concept, seeking not just to try to explain, but sometimes to justify this. I’ve also said to people ‘well why don’t you take some time out?’ but there’s always some reason why they ‘couldn’t possibly!’
We live in a world where people get old, ill and frail. As I write, President Biden has just reluctantly accepted he can no longer run as a candidate in this November’s USA election, after a long illustrious successful career as a wise and gifted politician. Yet we all know people well over 82 who are still very active and work with phenomenal capacity – especially across our 5 churches and villages.
Just today I heard of the sudden death after a short viral illness of a long term friend and colleague only five years older than me. None of us will last forever, and our strength and capacity begins to decrease when we are still quite young!
God has created all living things – animal and vegetable – with a need to rest and recuperate and accept our limitations as we get older.
What I have discovered about myself is how hard it is to stop, relax and really slow down. People tell me retirement takes time to get used to. I mainly found having 3 months when I didn’t HAVE to do anything meant I had no trouble finding things to do and taking opportunities to meet people and visit places. I enjoyed myself, and especially appreciated 8 days in a Jesuit Spirituality Centre in North Wales in silent retreat. Time in silence and sitting still was quite a challenge!
Jesus Himself took time out to go up mountains alone especially to pray, and there were plenty of steep hills in North Wales (although I didn’t get to climb one of the mountains!). It's August – a time many have holidays, but a hard work time for our farmers. However busy you are, as created human beings we need to plan ahead time off to stop, relax and slow down. I say this to myself as much to anyone else.
Timothy Wilson
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