Last week we started a series on soul care where we talked about working out physically to care for our bodies and keep them in shape and how we need to give the same attention to our souls. And while most of us recognize we have a spiritual component we refer to as a soul, we mentioned the debate of whether we are a physical being with a soul or a soul with a physical being. Either way, the important thing is that we take care of our soul. It’s important. It’s life-giving.
I also mentioned last week that Jesus lived in a hectic world and needed to get away. Hmm, some things don’t change, because we live in a hectic world also, and Jesus knew he needed soul care. And if Jesus did – we do too.
In Mark 1, I don’t know if the word “insanity” was used or not in Jesus’ time, but looking at the passage, I can see things that would make anyone feel as if they were going crazy. This narrative is fast-paced, it’s intense and it doesn’t stop. Like the Energizer bunny, it keeps on going and going and going at a frenetic pace.
Jesus’ fame is spreading all around the country. He’s recognized by the paparazzi no matter where he goes. He can’t go to the market without someone yelling, “Hey, it’s Jesus!” Jesus went to the synagogue and attended temple services, and our narrative says that “As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.”
Ahh, finally, Jesus can get some rest. He can take off his sandals, kick his feet up and watch some TV in the privacy of a home. But no, Simon’s mother-in-law is sick with a fever, and they tell Jesus about it, just as he was getting comfortable. He goes into her room, takes her by the hand and lifts her up and she’s healed by his touch! Her fever left her immediately, and now she’s feeling so good she does what my mom would want to do when she had company – she started preparing something to eat and serving them.
Now, Jesus and his buds can relax. They can rest from the pressing of the crowds, from the debates, from the demands, from people sapping the energy out of them, from moving at a very fast pace. I can just imagine them having a delicious meal, taking the coveted Sabbath afternoon nap, and then Jesus saying, “Hey, Simon, feel like watching a movie? Do you have Ben Hur? Or better yet, Steel Magnolias?”
It’s getting to be sunset, the smell of popcorn is in the air, and they are ready to settle in for the evening when, as our passage says, “that evening, at sunset, they brought to Jesus all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door.” There goes the movie night – no rest for the weary.
Talk about Jesus being under a lot of pressure. Jesus cured many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. Not just a few, but the whole city was there! Talk about insanity. I like the part in Jesus Christ Superstar where Jesus finally just screams from all of the demands on him! Ahhh! Enough!
Jesus recognized he couldn’t go on like this. With the whole city gathered at the door, call it insanity or anything else that’s fits for you, something was going to break. Something was about to crack. Have you ever been there? Have you ever felt like that?
Imagine with me; they finally got to sleep after an exhausting evening that probably went on into the wee hours of the morning. The house is quiet. Pretty soon, after a short night, they smell the aroma of fresh coffee brewing, of delicious cinnamon rolls baking The house is smelling good and people begin to stir. They knock on Jesus’ door. “Jesus, time to get up.” No answer. “Jesus, breakfast is ready.” Still no answer. They open up the door and he’s not there.
I wonder if they panicked. I wonder what was going through their minds. Did all of this finally get to Jesus? Could he not take any more? Did he crack under the stress and pressure? What would you do if you were in their shoes? They were so alarmed and so worried, that our narrative reads, “They hunted for him.” Not just looked around, but hunted!
So, what was Jesus doing as all of this is going on? As our narrative tells us, “Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.”
He prayed. How many of you have seen the painting of Jesus on one knee, praying? It’s a famous picture. But, in my mind, I don’t see Jesus going and just staying in that prayer posture during this time. I think prayer is so much more than that. I can imagine Jesus walking, thinking, having a time of renewal and healing.
Prayer is a time when we move outside of our humanity and connect to the divine – to something bigger than ourselves, to God, however you define God – when we fan the flame of divinity that is within us.
I think prayer and communion with God happen in so many different ways. It could be during a conversation with a friend, it could be in solitude, it could be in church while the choir is singing, it could be at the beach and it could be while watching a movie.
In my office I have a Tibetan Prayer Bowl. We have used it during Centering Prayer. To me, it’s a reminder of the power of prayer and that we can learn a lot from other faith traditions about prayer also. Prayer is breaking down the barriers between us and the divine – allowing healing and renewal.
I’ve had moments, during the many forms of prayer I’ve just mentioned, where I’ve had an “aha” moment. Where a curtain was pulled back, and a light shines in, where problems that looked so huge were brought into perspective. It was in those moments that I realized and knew that it was going to be OK … that God is with me.
During moments of prayer, I open myself to the realization that God is bigger than me, bigger than my problems, bigger than my enemies, bigger than my stresses – and as I open myself up to God, it is the beginning of a healing in my soul. It is a step toward soul care.
Have you felt like the whole city was gathered at your door? And it’s almost too much to bear? You just want to run and hide? You feel like you can’t take it anymore? Jesus understands. He was there.
They were hunting for Jesus – everywhere! They looked up and down the streets, at his favorite deli – finally they get to where they least expected to find him. In a deserted place all alone.
“Jesus, what are you doing?”
“I’m doing soul care.”
Jesus knew he needed soul care.
He found himself in what today we might call a toxic environment. He needed to pull away from it all. What is toxic? It’s anything that poisons. One of the synonyms for toxic is venomous, like the bite of a poisonous snake.
But, in most cases, poison is not quick. It is slow and painful. It’s not sudden, it’s gradual. And when we find ourselves in toxic environments, we don’t recognize it right away. Getting away – having regular soul care – helps us to see more clearly. And then allows us to do something about it. Self-care. Soul care.
I want to close with two questions:
First, what toxic environments are a part of your life? What are they for you? Working too much? A relationship? Negative friends? Where you hang out? It’s different for each of us, what is it for you? What are those toxic environments in your life that you need to get away from?
Second, where is your solitary place? Where do you get away from the crowd, like Jesus did?
It might not necessarily mean that you’re all alone? For some people, their pets bring such comfort, just petting your dog or your cat brings healing. For me, it’s sitting in Starbucks having a cup of coffee in a relaxed setting. Where is that for you? Where is that place where you can pull back from the toxic environment that can so quickly overwhelm us?
Jesus knew he needed soul care. If it’s good for Jesus, it’s good for me too. Amen. Namaste.
