Today's Gospel opens after a period of great activity and ominous
events. Jesus was rejected at home, so he went to other places and sent
his disciples to preach in his name. They came back successful, but
burdened and frightened by the martyrdom of John the Baptist. It was
time for Jesus and his friends to regroup and discern God's will for
them.
Unfortunately, not every retreat plan works out the way one would hope -- not even for Jesus. God's will became clear the moment Jesus understood the people's need. No matter how much he would have liked time to relax, to hash it all out with his companions and to listen to them, the people's hunger trumped his preferences.
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/receive-people
Unfortunately, not every retreat plan works out the way one would hope -- not even for Jesus. God's will became clear the moment Jesus understood the people's need. No matter how much he would have liked time to relax, to hash it all out with his companions and to listen to them, the people's hunger trumped his preferences.
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/receive-people