Alone Time: Jesus Had It And So Do We

Alone Time: Jesus Had It And So Do We August 3, 2020

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land,[a] for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind,[b] he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”34 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, 36 and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.-Matthew 14:22-36 NRSV

Alone Time Is Okay

Admit it.  Sometimes you feel guilty about taking sometime for your self.  After all there is so much for you to do that spending 30 minutes alone seems like you are wasting time.  In today’s Gospel our Lord teaches us something very important.  However it is something that we tend to dismiss.

Take time out of your day to be alone, reflect, and pray.  How many of us actually do this?  We are pulled in so many different directions with our jobs, work obligations, and family obligations that we think it noble to ignore alone time.

Let me be clear.  I am not saying to ignore your family and other responsibilities, but you won’t be able to take care of others if you are not taking care of ourselves.

Praying, God, Christianity, Belief

Application

If we are not taking time on a daily basis to be alone with the Lord in prayer then we will eventually take our eyes of of God.  Isn’t this what happened to St. Peter in the next section of today’s Gospel?  We get caught up in our business and Satan takes the opportunity to tell us that we are too busy for God.  Quite the contrary.  The busier we are the more we need to spend time in prayer.  Prayer helps us keep things in focus and prioritizes our actions.  Today’s devotion is short mostly because the Gospel reading is so long today.  Ponder the reading.  Ask the Lord to show you where you can carve out some time for him.

Saint Quotes

Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.-St. John Chrysostom

Without prayer we have neither light nor strength to advance in the way which leads to God.-St. Alphonsus Liguori

Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven.-St. Ephraem of Syria

Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed.- St Francis de Sales


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