The Gospel Reading from Mark is a clear picture of the Christian life. In it, Jesus calls his disciples apart so that he and they can get away from the crowds who have been coming to him. They need a break, a time apart to be alone with Jesus and to refocus themselves on the work that lies before them. After a while, sooner than planned, the needs of the crowds again press in on them and they, and Jesus, are back to work.

In our lives as disciples of Jesus, we find that we need to follow this same pattern if we are to keep from coming apart at the seams. We are in need of that time apart to be alone with Jesus. We need to leave the call to service behind and to come and sit at the feet of the Master so that we can be refreshed. We need to place our lives in Jesus' presence so that we can …