First Wednesday of Ordinary Time

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

After healing Simon’s mother and curing many others in her house, Jesus rises early and goes off to a deserted place. Jesus seeks out a place of solitude so that he can pray to his Heavenly Father and reflect on everything he has done, is doing, and will do. We can learn a lot about how to meditate on the message of the gospels, contemplate God’s presence in our lives, and pray better by following Jesus’ example. We need to get away from our worldly distractions if we are truly to focus on our spiritual needs. However, once we are done praying, we also need to be ready to move on and go wherever God is leading us. We cannot become so comfortable in one place that we never leave. There comes a time in all of our lives when we have to go forth. Sometimes this means leaving behind our families or friends, other times it means making sacrifices of time, talents, and treasures. But no matter what God asks of us, we should remember that He never asks more of us than we can give and He always gives us the graces we need to endure.

Do we seek to be alone with God and enjoy His Presence? How can we better meditate on the gospels and contemplate God’s presence in our lives? Are we willing to go where God is leading us and preach the truth through our thoughts, words, and works?

O Lord, help us to find our deserted place, where we can pray to you with all our hearts and listen to you with all our souls.

Amen.