Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? If so, then you have victory over the world! And that victory over the world culminates in eternal life! Don’t take my word for it. Read today’s first reading from 1 John 5. Now, that’s something to get excited about!
In the Gospel reading from Luke 5, we see a leper coming to Jesus asking for a healing. Jesus heals him and tells him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” Luke then tells us that great crowds came to listen to Jesus and be cured of their ailments. St. Luke adds an intersting end to that sentence: “but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.”
Jesus was in great demand. Imagine the crushing burden He must have felt. It probably seemed that everyone wanted a piece of Him. And I’m sure that Jesus did not want to let any of them down. But He knew the value of getting away. So He got away for silent retreats. I’ll bet that you often feel burdened by the demands of life. Work, family, church, obligations all the time, everyone seems to want a piece of you. Take a hint from the Lord. Get away to a deserted place to pray now and again. Recharge and renew your relationship with God. Believe me, you and everyone you know will benefit greatly. Worked for Jesus…it will work for you!
Father, help us find balance in our lives. Teach us to find you in the silence, to get away and seek out alone time with you. Amen.
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