April 30 -- "He Welcomed Them!"

Today’s Reading: Luke 9:1-17

There are moments in life when exhaustion presses in, and all you long for is solitude—a quiet place to rest, to breathe, to be refreshed. But then, just as you're settling in, someone interrupts, needing your help, your presence, your attention. How do you respond? Do you feel irritation creeping in, wishing for just a moment of peace? Or do you choose to welcome them, even in your weariness?

Jesus knew this feeling well. Though fully divine, He embraced the full reality of human experience, including hunger, thirst, fatigue, pain, emotional distress, sadness, temptation, and, yes—the need for rest. In Luke 9, we find Him seeking refuge in Bethsaida, longing for a moment away. But rest was fleeting. The crowds, desperate for His touch, followed Him. And instead of turning them away, He welcomed them. He saw their hunger, their pain, their longing, and He met them where they were—teaching, healing, feeding, and revealing the Kingdom of God.

This is the heart of Christ: unwavering compassion. His love never runs dry, His mercy never falters. He doesn’t shut the door when we come knocking, no matter the time or circumstance. His arms are always open—today, tomorrow, and forever.

Have you ever hesitated to bring your needs before God, fearing you might be an interruption or just not that important? Have you ever felt unworthy, like you might be bothering Him? Let this passage remind you: Jesus welcomes you. Always. He doesn’t turn away; He doesn’t grow weary of you. Whatever burdens you, whatever doubts weigh you down, whatever needs you have—you can run to Him—without hesitation, without fear—knowing He will never reject you. In John 6:37, He gave us this sure word: “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away."

And in this truth, we find a calling. Just as Jesus welcomed the weary, so too are we invited to open our hearts to others. To love even when it’s inconvenient. To extend compassion when we feel spent. To reflect His boundless kindness in our own lives.

May God give you the courage to come boldly to Him, fully assured of His welcome. And may He so fill your heart with His love that you, too, become a reflection of His mercy—offering the same grace to those around you who desperately need to experience it.