The Gospels recount numerous episodes of Jesus inviting his disciples to get away, to get some rest. These stories offer us a model of how real refreshment of body and spirit is achieved. Three things are worth noting. First, rest comes as an invitation from Jesus. Recently, Pope Francis recommended to a group of priests that they should be open to the rest that comes from Jesus, rather than relying on other ways to relax, some of which can be very unhealthy, if not destructive. We can use entertainment, mind altering substances and other means that only serve as a temporary release of tension and fatigue. Superficial at best, these efforts end up provoking more restlessness and lethargy, especially if they bring upon guilt and depression. It is known, for instance, that alcohol can be a depressant and impact our overall mood. Jesus offers us the gift of rest, and so the first step is to surrender to the kind of rest he offers, and accept his invitation, rather than taking on this burden ourselves. Second, his invitation is to go to an “out of the way” place, a deserted place. This is not an invitation to take a vacation to an exotic location, but rather a summons to enter into those places in our lives that we ignore, yet which have an impact on us. Oftentimes when I give a retreat I begin with the questions: What is troubling you? Have you given it to God? If not, why not? Too we convince ourselves that we can heal ourselves or that God is not interested in our weaknesses, our frailty. Yet, Jesus wants us to take him to the desert places of our lives, the aridity of sinfulness, weakness and suffering. We can only come to a true peace and serenity that brings rest if we bring the Lord to the places where we are poor, for when we do, we come to know we are still loved and not alone. We do not have to prove ourselves before God. We have the peace of heart that comes in accepting ourselves as we are, and can love the life God has given us, because God does. Finally, Jesus’ offer of rest is given not just to us as individuals, but he calls disciples as a group. Too often our restlessness comes in the form of unhealthy competition among each other, an over emphasis in comparing ourselves to one another, to the point that our relationships with each other are based solely on rivalry, which can turn antagonistic so very quickly. We see that in the way violence erupts in families, in neighborhoods and in the world. Jesus offers us a restful peace that begins with accepting that we are all equal in our poverty, in our need for the same Lord, who alone can give us what we need. We are all beggars. Thus, the peace he offers us is one that redefines our relationships with each other. These summer months provide time for us to get away, but that time away can still leave us restless if we just fill the time with a long list of frenetic activities. These may be entertaining and bring some diversion from the usual events of our lives, but the deep restlessness that affects the human heart will still plague us if we try to bring rest on our own terms. Listen again to his invitation: “Come ... to an out-of-the-way place and rest a while.” Mark 6:31 I pray that these summer months may free you to enter into his rest, by going to those arid places of your life with him, and then coming to a new sense of peacefulness and rejuvenation of your relationships with each other.