When we grow tired and weary in life we can become a different person than we know ourselves to be.  “He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Eph 2,18)  St. Paul is speaking of bringing into one communion in Christ both the Jews and the Gentiles.  In Christ, Jesus “creates in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace.” (Eph 2,14)  Though St. Paul is speaking about the Jews and the Gentiles, he could easily have been speaking to each one of us who can become divided in ourselves.  When we are well rested we can be our true self and be positive, gracious and a blessing to others but when we become tired, overburdened and anxious we can be a whole different person, grumpy, irritable and withdrawn.  When we are rested, we are “near” to the Lord, when we are burdened we feel “far-off”.  When we are rested we are “at peace”, when anxious we are “in enmity”.  When we are rested we are “at rest”, when we are troubled we are in “fear and trembling”.  When we are resting we are “gathered into one flock”, when we are afraid we are “missing and scattered”.  Jesus wants us to be “re-created”, at rest, at peace within ourselves so that we can be one new person rather than two.  Rest and recreation is a vital part of our being in communion with God.

    Jesus invites us to rest in him.  “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” (Mark 6,31)  To rest in Jesus is not an escape from the world, it is not necessarily the absence of activity or being away from others and our responsibilities, but rather, it is being with Jesus, placing our trust in him and experiencing his real, intimate presence in our lives.  Jesus is our rest.  Like a Good Shepherd, Jesus takes pity on us when we “are scattered” and he invites us to new life:  “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11,28)  The psalmist affirms for us, “My soul rests in God alone, from whom comes my salvation…My soul, be at rest in God alone, from whom comes my hope.” (Ps 62,2.6)  God makes a promise to Moses to be his rest, “Moses said to the Lord, “You, indeed, are telling me to lead this people on; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me.  Yet you have said, ‘You are my intimate friend,’ and also, ‘you have found favor with me.’  Now if I have found favor with you, do let me know your ways so that, in knowing you, I may continue to find favor with you.  Then too, this nation is, after all, your own people.”  “I myself,” the Lord answered, “will go along, to give you rest.” (Ex 33,12-14)  To rest in God is not just “taking a day off.”  To rest in God is to remain with him, to learn from him and to place our trust in him.  Being with Jesus is the rest that our soul needs.

    We rest in the Lord when our burden of sin is removed:  “let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us.” (Heb 12,1); when we are secure in the “rich and green meadows” of the Church, where we can be fed.  To rest is to be at peace, free from all fear and anxiety.  The “new” person in Christ is one who experiences Jesus as an intimate friend, enjoys a oneness of being in communion with him, and has a deep peace and nearness to God that allows him to always rest in God, even in the midst of activity.  Jesus promises his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give it to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (Jn 14,27)  The world sees peace and rest as “a day off” and an escape from work, responsibility and activity.  Jesus gives us rest in the midst of our activity that transforms our experience and sanctifies all of our activities.

    Every week the Lord calls us to rest in him.  The Lord’s day, Sunday, is our day of rest.  It is not a day to sleep but to be more fully awake and alive.  Jesus invites us to come to him in the Eucharist, to learn from him as he teaches us a way of life, and to be fed by him in the rich pastures of life.  When we rest in the Lord we are more fully alive and experience a joy in life.  In the Eucharist, our work and our prayer come together.  The Eucharist is our prayer of praise offered to the Father and it is our taking part in the “work” of salvation being offered on the altar.  Our peace and our rest comes from knowing that we will never be abandoned or left alone but that the Good Shepherd will “be with us always.” (Mt 28,20)  Holiness is our peaceful resting in the Lord which flows from a total oneness, communion and trust in God.  Come away with the Lord and rest in his intimate embrace, and you will find peace for your soul!