Reflection
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus
-Mark 6:30-31
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them, Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.
I feel like coming away to a deserted place today, to rest and spend some quiet time with my creator. I feel like this today and almost every one of these cold, wintery Chicago days. It’s that time of year again, when the cold, snowy North makes me question what life is all about. The trees have lost their foliage, there is no smell of roses on my walk to nearby Lake Michigan, and everyone is bundled up in clothing to protect themselves from the frigid temperatures. It seems that all life is gone from our Mother Earth.
Despite this yearning for quiet, in retirement after forty-plus years of work in two different careers, I find myself busier than I want to be. I have several weekly meetings that I regularly attend, I shop, bake and cook on the weekends and almost without realizing it, I find my calendar filled with commitments. 21st Century American city life is busy, busy, busy.
I do believe it is time that I come away to a deserted place and rest awhile.
The days are slowly getting a bit longer though, and the sun is showing itself just a little more every day. Shortly, we can start remembering the beauty of Mother Nature in Springtime–Lent. Lent, I’m told comes from the Latin or old English term that means Spring.
Help me God, to turn my life to You, You who give us all life, not because we have a right to it or because of the size of our bank accounts, or because we have earned that right, but simply because You are the God of love and life.
