He was there alone....

Scripture tells us in many places that Jesus went away from others to be alone in order to pray. In this week's Gospel reading, Jesus does just this; He sends the Apostles ahead of him and goes up the mountain to be alone and to pray. I think this is very significant, and Jesus, as always, is the model for which we should strive to be like.

Did He give thanks to God the Father, for the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand? Did He ask for strength for what lies ahead? Did He pray for His Apostles that they might receive the graces He gave them and bear great fruit? Of course, we have no way of knowing the actual content of His prayer on the mountain, but we can be sure that we aught to learn from the example He gives us. It is truly great that we gather as a community and participate in the celebration of the Eucharist. This is necessary. If we pay attention, though; we can know that there is still more.

Let us be sure that we do not neglect the great gift of relationship that our God shares with us. For we are not "alone" when we go away from everyone else to be with God; we are with the abundant source of all life. And He calls us each and every day to be alone with Him.  Can you hear His call?

Peace,

                  +Theophilus