Readings for June 22-23, Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Lyn Zahorik | For On Mission
My favorite verse in today’s Gospel is “Jesus was in the stern (of the boat) asleep on a cushion.” I even have a T-shirt to match the verse, “Jesus took naps. Be like Jesus.”
I wonder how many clergy members are going to use that obscure verse as the focus for their homily this weekend? After all, taking naps doesn’t seem to have any spiritual quality to it.
If you look at the other verses in today’s Gospel, they are about Jesus being busy. He had been preaching to crowds of people all day, and then he had the task of calming the sea and sky. By our human standards, he had put in a good day’s work.
Working is important to us. Despite our best intentions to live balanced lives, the modern world demands that we are always connected and productive.
Sleeping in the middle of the day, even when we are exhausted, feels irresponsible. Even lazy. A good day is defined by getting things accomplished on our mental “to-do list.” Only then do we find satisfaction and feel that we are a worthy and productive human being.
How many of us — when asked, “What did you do today?” — feel they could confidently respond, “I took a nap?”
Yet three of the Gospels make mention that Jesus was asleep in a boat. He was able to take time away from the crowds — even when they desperately wanted him. Jesus was clear on what God was calling him to do: the incredible, three-year mission of public ministry by which he would change the world and redeem all people.
Nonetheless, he made time to take naps. There is something in that for us to learn. Jesus knew when to work and when to rest.
Napping can become a significant spiritual practice. It invites us to pause, to rest and to honor the sacredness of stillness.
In the article “The Power of Rest: The Upside of Down Time,” sleep specialist Dr. Rubin Naiman states, “When you take a nap, you are not just doing something for yourself, you’re making a statement to the world that napping is at least equally important and productive as working.”
In spiritual practice, the concept of surrender to sleep is often associated with trust and letting go of the ego.
When we nap, we acknowledge not everything depends on us, that all does not rest on our shoulders. The world will continue just as it always has, without our direct input for the time being. This act can be deeply spiritual, reinforcing a sense of humility and trust, and ability to “rest in the Lord.”
Jesus took naps. After ministering to others, Jesus left everyone and spent time in rest and with God. This pattern is repeated throughout the Gospels.
Be like Jesus. Embrace the profound connection between rest and spirituality and allow yourself a time of rest to refresh not just your body, but your spirit as well.
Zahorik is director for spiritual engagement at St. Mary Parish, Omro, and St. Mary Parish, Winneconne.
The readings for Sunday, June 23, can be found at Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB.