Rest in God

“Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). This week I’ll be away on retreat at the Abbey of the Hills near Marvin, SD. All priests are required by the Church’s law to make an annual retreat for our spiritual health. Some still remember the place as Blue Cloud Abbey with Benedictine monks, or even from attending the vocations camp there, which I think the diocese has started up again. We’ve also used the Abbey for a Labor Day gathering for priests for a few years. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to spend some extra time in prayer and reflection this week.

I mentioned in a homily a rule of thumb once told to me, that we should spend one hour each day, one day every month, and one week every year in more deliberate prayer and recollection. We get pulled in so many directions today that we need these times to re-collect ourselves, gather ourselves back together when we tend to spread ourselves too thin the rest of the time. Not everyone has the opportunity, but if we take time for travel or vacation, do we ever devote a similar time away for specifically spiritual renewal?

One of the most central commandments in all the Law and in the life of Israel concerned Sabbath rest and worship of God. For Christians, we observe the Lord’s Day: Sunday, when Jesus rose from the dead. God commands us to gather for Sunday Mass and to rest and recollect ourselves because it is real and critical need for human beings. Even Jesus Himself knew this well, often “rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark,” to go to deserted places to pray (Mark 1:35). “For You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You” (St. Augustine, Confessions I.i).

For sure, I’ll also be praying for some timely rains. Probably a good idea to start fasting on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays again as well, as we ask God to provide what no one else can. Please continue to pray for our Bishop and all our priests this week. And if you get the chance, go on a retreat of your own, even if it’s just a visit to Jesus at church.