Many of you are quoting Elijah the prophet by gasping: "This is enough, O Lord!" (1 Kgs 19:4) You can't stand the thought of going on with your parish work, marriage, job, or even life. You want to roll over and play dead. You are "burnt out." You are in good company because Elijah, known for "playing with fire" (see Sir 48:1, 3), eventually became "burnt out" himself.

God intervened by sending an angel to command Elijah to "get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!" (1 Kgs 19:7) We also must get up and eat or our ministry, marriage, or trial will be too long for us. We must wake up and eat the daily bread of God's Word and Holy Communion. "Not on bread alone is man to live but on every utterance that comes from the mouth of God" (Mt 4:4). Unless we eat Jesus' flesh and drink His blood, we have no life in us (Jn 6:53). Unless we accept God's grace for much more daily prayer and Bible reading, we will find life too long, fall into depression, and just "go through the motions." Unless we celebrate Mass and receive Communion as often as possible (even daily), we won't "have what it takes" to minister, parent, evangelize, suffer, or love. We will "burn out" unless our hearts burn in hearing God's Word and breaking His bread (see Lk 24:31-32).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 18, 2015

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