Solitude with Christ

Reflections from readings from the 25th Friday in Ordinary Time, found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092614.cfm

In today's gospel we see Christ praying alone, in solitude, with his disciples. They did this often in order to have time for each other and with God. It's what we would call today a "retreat". We all need that quality time alone with Jesus in order to have a better understanding of where God is calling us or leading us to in our lives. Further, we can have a better understanding of who Jesus is to us.

Jesus asked the apostles in today's gospel, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" (Luke 9:18) They respond with the usual answers: "John the Baptist! Elijah! One of the ancient prophets!" Peter gets it right, "The Christ of God." (Luke 9:20)

With his time alone with the Lord, Peter came to know who Christ was, and as a result was able to develop that close relationship with Christ. This allowed Peter to get closer to God. Did Peter get it right all the time? No! He even denies Jesus three times after Jesus' arrest on Holy Thursday.

But Peter, and the other apostles, developed that relationship with Christ when he was alive with them, and even after His death and resurrection. Today's gospel give example of how they were able to carry out their mission of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ: time spent alone with God to grow and nurture that relationship with Him, in order to be able to bring the Good News of God to others.

We, too, are called to spend time alone with Christ, in solitude. It could be one hour a week before the Blessed Sacrament, or a weekend retreat at a retreat house. This is time over and above the time we spend on Sundays at Mass. Time alone with God in quiet prayer is time well spent. It allows us to know who we are in God's eyes, and we get to know who God is in our minds.

When you spend this time alone with God, I suggest that you bring along the scripture readings for Sunday's mass. Spend that hour reading it quietly and meditating on what it could mean to you. God will reach out to you and help you understand what he is trying to teach you.

Praise be Jesus Christ now and forever!!