In today’s Gospel we witness the human heart of Jesus as He receives the devastating news of John the Baptist’s death. Upon hearing this tragic news, Jesus ‘withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself.’ This simple verse reveals the depth of Christ’s heart—a human heart that knew grief, loss, and the need for solitude with His Father.

Jesus’ withdrawal to a quiet place mirrors our own instinct to seek comfort when we are overwhelmed by sorrow. Even as the Son of God, He experienced the full weight of human emotion and the natural desire to find refuge in prayer. Like the psalmist who declares, ‘You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty’ (Psalm 91:1), Jesus sought that sacred space where he could experience the love and consolation of the Father.

In His humanity, Jesus demonstrates that grief is not weakness but a natural response to love interrupted by loss. His retreat to solitude teaches us that it is both necessary and holy to bring our broken hearts before the Father. The psalm continues, ‘I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust’ (Psalm 91:2)— words echoed in Jesus’ heart as He mourned His beloved cousin and forerunner.

Yet even in His grief, Jesus’ compassionate heart could not remain hidden. When the crowds found Him, He had ‘compassion for them’ and proceeded to heal their sick and feed the multitude. This beautiful passage reveals that divine consolation received in solitude overflows into loving service, transforming our pain into love for others.

By Vanessa Comninos