Word to the Wise
Saturday, February 4, 2012 - Saturday in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Kgs 3:4-13 and Mark 6:30-34]"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."
I take Jesus' advice to his disciples very seriously. That's why I am currently staying in a small house by myself in Tucson, Arizona, for a week of "retreat." I've been coming out here to the desert southwest for more than 20 years to do this. Yes, I am required by the constitutions of my religious order to do so, but I look forward to the experience each year. The small house is located behind the home of some close friends in a quiet neighborhood. I spend most of the day by myself reading, praying, thinking and, yes, resting. I occasionally see friends from my campus ministry days here at the University of Arizona 1977-80 to get a nother perspective. They have all known me more than thirty years. I know that when the week is over, I can return to my itinerant preaching ministry with a renewed heart, mind and faith.
Retreats are an important part of my ministry. Some people have had some bad experiences with retreats, mostly because things were too rigid back in my younger days. That is not really the case any more. If one wants a completely silent retreat with an occasional meeting with a "director," those are available at most retreat houses. If one wants to be in a group and addressing a particular probem, retreat houses offer those, too! Most of the retreats that I conduct are what is known as "preached" retreats. I give a couple of "conferences" each day and the rest of the day is devoted to individual meetings with those who want to talk to me personally. I don't impose a strict regime of silence, but I do remind the retreatants that some people come for the peace and quiet, so try to respect that. It is a gift that the retreatants can give to each other.
The frantic American lifetyle can be oppressive. A retreat can be a genuine gift to oneself or to a spouse! As we can see from the gospel words quoted above, the problem of being overwhelmed is an old one. I recommend an annual retreat, even if it is only one day. The benefits of turning off the cell phone and getting away from the computer or other tasks of life will be obvious once you do it! (Of course, I have to use a computer to send this!) AMEN