Rest for a While
Preparing for the Fourth Sunday of Easter: One Day before Sunday (Year B)
Scripture
Psalter: Psalm 23
Old Testament: Genesis 48:8-19
Gospel: Mark 6:30-34
___
Prayer
O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)
___
Reflection
The apostles gathered around Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things (Mark 6:30-34).
Rest is crucial for good health and well-being. Rest is essential for the repair and growth of tissues. During sleep, your body produces growth hormones that help repair muscles and other tissues. This is especially important after exercise or physical exertion.
Adequate rest is linked to better mental health outcomes. It can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Lack of sleep can affect your mood, judgment, and cognitive abilities.
Rest, particularly sleep, plays a critical role in thinking and learning. It helps with the consolidation of memory, which is essential for learning new information. Sleep deprivation can impair attention, alertness, concentration, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
Sleep affects your emotional regulation. People who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems, including irritability, impatience, and inability to concentrate.
Chronic lack of rest can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Sleep plays a critical role in regulating critical bodily functions such as the immune system, metabolism, and the balance of hormones.
Sleep deprivation has been linked to increased accidents and errors in daily activities. Being well-rested improves reaction times and decision-making, reducing the likelihood of accidents in activities like driving.
Overall, getting adequate rest is associated with a longer lifespan. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to increased mortality rates. Rest is fundamental for maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health, enhancing the quality of life, and ensuring safety and longevity.
If even Jesus and his disciples needed to rest, so do you. Take care of yourself.
PRAYER: Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that we who celebrate with awe the Paschal feast may be found worthy to attain to everlasting joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)
SOURCES
Why a Good Night’s Sleep Is Important for Your Health
The 7 types of rest that every person needs
How Resting More Can Boost Your Productivity
___
Check out my Amazon author page here.