overwhelmed?
"People were coming and going in great numbers, making it impossible for them to so much as eat." —Mark 6:31
Jesus and His apostles were overwhelmed by the demands made of them. Jesus tried to deal with the problem by going off with His apostles in a boat to a deserted place (Mk 6:32). However, thousands of people met Jesus on the other side of the lake, and Jesus was faced with the humanly impossible task of feeding thousands of people in the desert.
When the demands made on you seem overwhelming and when your attempts to deal with your problems result in greater problems, there is hope because:
- The God of peace will "furnish you with all that is good, that you may do His will" (Heb 13:21).
- The Lord keeps His promise: "I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you" (Heb 13:5).
- Jesus "is always able to save those who approach God through Him" (Heb 7:25).
- We can "confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and favor and to find help in time of need" (Heb 4:16).
Life is hard, and it often becomes harder. But we can come to Jesus if we "are weary and find life burdensome" (Mt 11:28). He alone will give us rest, for His yoke is easy and His burden light (Mt 11:29-30). Peace is Jesus' farewell gift to us (Jn 14:27). Rest in Jesus.
Prayer: Father, I trust in You in the most difficult times.
Promise: "May He carry out in you all that is pleasing to Him. To Christ be glory forever! Amen." —Heb 13:21
Praise: St. Jerome spent much time caring for orphaned children. Like Jesus, he could not leave them orphaned (Jn 14:18), but provided for their physical and spiritual needs.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, August 1, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 7, 2002