Rest Over Hurry
BY COLIN MARTINEZ LONGMORE | July 10, 2023
Sunday’s Readings
It’s been said that hurry is a form of violence on the soul. When I look at my own life, I have to agree. The times when I feel most burnt-out and soul-tired isn’t because of any one particularly challenging project. It’s usually from the accumulation of many things: the nonstop scroll and ping of my newsfeed, the competing deadlines at work, my own tendency to multitask throughout my day. I always find myself getting swept up in the ever-increasing pace and complexity of the world, and as a result, it’s usually my faith that suffers first and worst.
I don’t think I’m alone in this, though. I’ve talked with so many friends who say they feel exhausted from the nonstop flurry of news about the many urgent issues that rightfully fight for our collective attention. But that’s even more of a reason to slow down and rest—to take a break from treading turbulent surface waters, and sink into the deep and rejuvenating current of the interior life. In that place of Sabbath, we can let our souls catch up to us.
During Vatican II, Pope John XXIII, was known to end his final prayers of the day by saying: “It’s your church, Lord. I’m going to bed.” What a guy. I love the level of humility and trust that’s illustrated in those words. There’s real wisdom in the act of slowing down, resting, and letting go of the reins of control during complicated and delicate times. We don’t have all the answers, but sometimes a nap is all that’s needed to connect with the One who does.
For Reflection:
- Where do you need to slow down and let go of the reins of control to let God enter in?
Colin is the Communications Coordinator at NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice in Washington D.C. He has served as the Advocacy Chair for the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice and taught classes at Georgetown University’s Capitol Applied Learning Lab. Previously, he worked for seven years as a youth minister in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange leading bilingual faith formation programs, hosting retreats, and speaking at various Diocesan youth events.
Where do I need to slow down and let Christ enter in? It is such a great question presented by Colin
My interactions with others who I am listening to, might even need more time of listening. In talking to a person after Church, we exchanged the pleasantries of the day and then I could see in her eyes she needed me to listen to her worries. The Holy Spirit entered in and guided me in my listening, It was an important moment when the person was in touch with some deeper truth and wanted me to listen to her understanding of God in her life. The Holy Spirit slowed me down and I listened with great intent.
Hello Colin,
I was so encouraged when I read your article/commentary above. “Hurry” is a form of violence on the soul as you say. Just yesterday this very thing was a topic in Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Sunday (online) homily. And, he quoted an author or two whose outlook is the same. This all is so helpful in helping people identify the world, their world, and what seems to have taken hold.
The nonstop flurry of news and social nothingness doesn’t excite or energize. It wears one out. It turns one off. It makes one look forward to nothing. In the end everyone thinks their opinion is the only one that counts. It used to be interesting to see what all was happening in the world but now who can trust anything that is reported?
As we began the summer people would ask me what I was going to do this summer-what were my plans. I found myself responding “I’m just going to let summer “be.”
“Treading turbulent waters” is exhausting that does catch up to us. Taking the time to allow the soul some “quiet” and putting our trust in the Lord is comforting and peaceful. It can take some work to get back to this but so worth it.
Thanks for your article.
Hurry or rest. Rest is when one works with others while praying together.
Rest is lying still on one’s bed.
Rest is being in the garden and smelling the flowers.
Rest is just being.
Thanks Colin. Making a come-back after a good nap can be highly productive. Mahatma Gandhi would say: “When I go to sleep, I am dead. The next morning when I wake up, I am born again.”