THE PLACE OF REST

(Hebr. 4:1-5. 11, Ps. 78, Mk. 2:1-12)

Of the things that man should ordinarily quest for is rest. Yes, ordinarily because some of the things man engages in, in his pursuit here on earth do not seem to advance the rest that he very much desires. He makes decisions that put him in a great fix, he goes to places and mingles with people who become barriers to his success in life. He finds himself putting his hands on things that continuously make him fearful and restless. Man is sure in a perpetual state of unrest or anxiety as the case may be. His interest in things of the world makes him long and keep his eyes on the future with every sense of anxiety and unrest. In this state, he looks back to God his father for a total state of bliss and tranquility.

The people of Israel at a point found themselves in this unusual state, a stage in their history when their freedom was taken away and they could only act on the terms of their captors. However, in this confusing state, the ever-loving Father promised them a place of rest; the promised land. This was to be for them a place where they would be completely freed from slavery and oppression and would once more experience enjoyment and more reliable security which would further enhance their peace of mind and body. This was the good intention of the Father for them but some of them would miss out on this because of their lack of faith. As the author of the first reading puts it "For good news came to us just as to them, but the message which they heard did not benefit them, because it did not meet with faith in the hearers. For we who have believed enter that rest..."

The Israelites doubted the promise of God, they were without faith; they forgot the deeds of the Lord, and in His 'anger,' He promised that none who had seen his glory and tested Him would enter the land He had sworn to give to their ancestors (cf. Num. 14:20-24). A lack of faith in God is an indication that we do not recognize the power of God, and what He is capable of them and this set us on a path where we miss out on the goodness of the Lord for His people. The kind of faith that is required of us is what we find in the lives of the friends of the paralytic as we have it narrated in the gospel reading; the kind that believes strongly in the power of God and that breaks through every barrier to reaching the master.

God has promised us Christians a place of rest after the toils of this life; Heaven. This is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness. (cf. CCC 1024) However, beautiful this description is, it will only be for those who hold on to their faith in Christ Jesus. The first reading continues "Brethren: while the promise of entering his rest remains, let us fear lest any of you be judged to have failed to reach it. Let us, therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one falls by the same sort of disobedience." We are a pilgrim, people. We are constantly exposed to the temptation of disobeying God, of grumbling at God's ways, of losing sight of our destination, of making light of God's will. True faith on the other hand proves itself by obedience, and unshakable fidelity to God's word.

Let us pray: Give us O Lord the grace to remain steadfast on this journey of faith that we may not lose that place of rest you have prepared for us. Amen