When I was a kid, my parents’ idea of a “vacation” was a two-hour trip to a regional amusement park and popping for a night in a nearby hotel. I truly did not know that there were resorts, beaches and other destinations where families spent an extended period of time. For us, our summer getaway never lasted longer than a weekend, but that was OK…the money they saved on more luxurious trips was used to send my brother and I to a Catholic school. Looking back, it strikes me as a fair trade off and quite possibly, a better investment.
I tell this story in order to explain what happened during one of these weekend jaunts when, after a day of riding rides, swimming in the “Holidome” and clowning around with some temporary friends (kids who were also staying in the hotel) at the arcade, I went missing.
My parents discovered my absence when they returned to our room around 11 p.m. after getting a drink in the hotel bar and found the lights off and my bed empty. Dad knocked on the bathroom door and called my name in hopes of finding me and when I didn’t answer, he became a little frantic.
“Where could she be?” He asked. “The pool, arcade and other amenities are closed for the night. You don’t think she left the property do you?”
Mom shook her head. “If I know your daughter, we are going to find her in some quiet, out-of-the-way spot. Come on.”
Dad followed as mom left the room and walked down the corridor to find the door to a small stairwell that led to the back parking lot. It wasn’t a stairway that guests typically used because it didn’t lead to anything like the pool or the front desk. In fact, I suspect it was only there due to some building code. Mom opened the door and sure enough, found me perched on step, reading a book.
“Oh, hey guys,” I said, nonplussed. “What time is it?”
“It’s late,” my mom answered as my dad stood by amazed at her sleuthing skills. “Everything is closed, so it’s time to come to bed.”
I nodded put my bookmark in the chapter I was reading and followed them down the hall. As we neared the room, I overheard my father ask my mother, “How did you know where she was?”
“I didn’t,” Mom replied. “But I know Julie and after a whole day of intense activity, I knew she would have to get away from everything and everyone. She has to rest and recharge. She just can’t be around other people all the time.”
I haven’t thought about this 30-year-old incident in a number of years, but as I read today’s gospel, it careened into my consciousness once again. Like my mother, Jesus knew His apostles weren’t used to the level of activity that was suddenly demanded of them. He knew they were out of their comfort zone and would crash and burn if they had to be “on” all the time. He encouraged them to take a break, to get away, to rest and recharge. After all, you can’t fill from an empty cup, you can’t give what you do not have, and though you might have to chug along on fumes at times…you can’t run on empty for long.
Naturally, a day long adventure in an amusement park is not exactly a theological vocation, but let’s face it: both have their colorful characters, spectacular shows full of special effects and at times…feel a little like a roller coaster ride. However, at the end of the day, we still need to get away from it all and quietly reconnect to ourselves knowing that The One who issued us the “fast pass” in the first place will keep the line moving in our absence and will come and get us when it’s time to get back on the ride.
Today’s readings for Mass: HEB 13:15-17, 20-21; PS 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6; MK 6:30-34
