Word to the Wise
Saturday, February 7, 2015 - Saturday in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
[Heb 13:15-17, 20-21 and Mark 6:30-34]The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. [Mark]
Have you ever "made a retreat?" I know it is common in the corporate world to hold meetings in places outside of headquarters and call these affairs "retreats." But Catholics may associate retreats with VERY quiet times listening to a speaker and taking stock of life. That's one form. Those who have been my student parishioners over the years may recall retreats that were very interactive and emotional. I've known more than one romance to have started (or ended) on a student retreat! Retreats are a standard part of campus ministry. However, after graduation, retreats become a rare experience as employment and marriage and children make such a thing an incredible luxury. I've known devout couples to give one another a "gift certificate" for a retreat!
Jesus takes the Apostles away from the hustle bustle to rest. It didn't last much more than the boat ride, but the idea is important. I give a lot of retreats for priests, deacons and religious. One of the things I make clear is that there is nothing wrong with getting some rest on a retreat! If the group is composed of people who know one another but rarely see one another, I simply ask them not to talk around the sleeping areas! A lot of ministry takes place on retreats which I have nothing to do with, but which I try to enable!
It may seem a great luxury to many, but priests, deacons and religious are required to make a retreat every year. I am well aware that some of the people in front of me would prefer to be elsewhere, or are tired or upset/worried about something back at home, etc. It is a great responsibility to be useful to them. If you can find a way to get away and think about your relationship with God in more than thirty seconds stolen from the day, and do this for a whole weekend or (heavens!) more, I think you will find it worth the trouble. At least Jesus thought so and I suspect the Apostles were grateful. AMEN
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