Daily Lenten Meditation: Saturday, March 19
But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad;
many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases.
But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.
(Luke 5:15-16)
I love the idea of Jesus sneaking off to pray.
I picture him quietly ducking out a side door when everyone
is caught up in conversation. In the very midst of his ministry,
teaching and healing, Jesus wanders off to pray.
We often try to weave prayer into daily life:
at meals, waking, before bed or after work. Yet sometimes,
perhaps especially in Lent, prayer and other spiritual disciplines
can start to feel like tasks waiting to be checked off of a list.
It’s at times like these that Jesus’ example reminds us
to put away the to-do lists, spiritual or otherwise.
Jesus encourages us to ignore, just for a little while,
the pull of the crowds, of family and friends, and errands and work.
Jesus invites us to sneak away with him to a deserted place
and be still, just be still, in the presence of the Lord.
The Rev. Christine Faulstich
Diocese of Texas
Gracious God you created all that is: Open our eyes to your presence in this place,
that we may be still and know that you are God;
all this we ask through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
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