In our seminary, in Santo Domingo, we once had a heated debate between our master and the brothers. The issue was whether the brothers should serve as DLP operators in the shrine on Sundays. It was proposed that responses and songs in the mass should be projected through the wide screen to help the faithful in actively participating in the mass. However, with the tight budget of the convent, it could not afford to hire lay personnel to do the job. And so it was proposed that the brothers should take the said task. The brothers resisted because Sunday is the only free day and rest they have for the whole week. The master insisted that the brothers should take the job in the name of the apostolate.
We all desire for rest and break from our tiring and busy days. Rest is important, for it allows us to pause for a while to see what we worked for so far and take a deep breath to regain our strength to continue our work. Christ himself wanted to rest for a while together with his disciples after preaching and administering the people (Mark 6:30-31). We have to take enough sleep and eat on time, lest our body is neglected, leaving us incapacitated in fulfilling our tasks. As it is said in Filipino "Katawan ang ating puhunan." But should our task demand for more time from us, are we willing to give up our precious time for rest so that we may attend to the needs of others?
As Christians, our life is characterized by our love of God through our love of our neighbor. Loving and doing good works are not only aspects of our life but the Spirit that animates and is manifested in all aspects of our life. We cannot be loving or do good works only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are Christians 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We should not neglect to do good works even if it means less time for ourselves. Our offerings, sacrifices, and praises to God should be continuous through the life we live (cf. Heb 13:15-17). Our vocation knows no vacation.
In the gospel (Mark 6:30-34), Christ intended to rest together with his disciples. However, when he saw the people like sheep without a shepherd, he was moved with compassion and administered to them. He put aside the rest he deserved in order to fulfill his mission. Do we give more premium to our rest so much so that we neglect our mission to serve others? Are we animated by the same compassion of Christ that moves us from our rest and comfort zone that we attend to the needs of others? The Good News is, even if we give up our time for rest and peace of mind, we shall find true comfort in serving others, for there we meet Christ, the true rest and peace for our drooping spirits.
Today, years after that heated debate, the brothers serve as DLP operators in the shrine in Santo Domingo every Sunday from 5 am to 7 pm. It means giving up their time for rest, for the cinema and mall, meeting their families, etc. But they are fulfilled and happy, for in serving, they find true rest and comfort. Yes, they find Jesus by operating the DLP.
Where do you find your true rest?
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