“Come with me privately to a solitary place…” (Mark 6:31)

This world is very demanding of one's time and energy. How many lives are 'governed' by personal organisers? How often does daily life at home revolve around TV schedules? What do the 'worldly-wise' hold out to us as goals or priorities in a 'successful' life? This list could go on and on. At times, therefore, one needs to step out of one's 'groove' and, detached from the general rush of everyday life, consider the 'bigger picture'.
 
We have, of course, the example of Jesus who, we read, sometimes withdrew to an isolated spot to pray, thereby making a retreat. (Mark 6:31; see also Mark 1:35-37; Luke 5:15-16). With family and job commitments many may despair of achieving such 'space' amid the cares of life.

Statue of Jesus Christ in Prayer,
​Consolatta Cemetary, Lake Charles, Louisiana

If one is able it is good to make a week's retreat, conducted by Priests and Religious, distancing oneself from everyday distractions and spending more time contemplating the things of God, through daily Mass, talks, prayer and Spiritual-reading. For those of us with limited time it can be possible to go on retreats, lasting only a day or two. There are numerous monasteries and retreat houses to which one may go. For some ideas see this wonderful Web site.
 
Such options may well not necessarily be open to many of us. However, that does not prevent us from reaching out to tap the sources of Grace which God wills to give us. Mass and Holy Communion, the foundation of Catholic life, are widely available in our Parish on Sunday and offered twice daily during the week. In addition to this treasure, on weekdays and Saturdays, groups meet to pray Morning Prayer of the Church and the Holy Rosary. Maybe, at least once a week, time could be made for an extra Mass or, if time is really limited, to 'pay a visit' to meditate while the church is open.
 
A church can be a quiet and contemplative oasis in a noisy environment; many busy people, where churches are open all day, will pop in and, perhaps, just for a few minutes, pour out their hearts before Our Lord in the Tabernacle; they 'recharge their spiritual batteries' and can go on to face the rest of their day. For many of us, however, our 'retreat' times are those precious minutes before and after Sunday or Holy Day Mass. May we make the most of these opportunities!

"Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar - and to God what belongs to God."
​(Matthew 22:21)