At the end of today's Gospel reading we see Jesus rising early before dawn to go out to a deserted place and pray (Mk 1:39). This was after previous long day of healing Simon's mother-in-law, countless others, and casting out demons from those so afflicted. All in a day's work so the saying goes. I harken back to the days when at the dinner table my young children would ask what I did on that day and complying I would detail the best I could in their terms my day at work. My wife and myself would then make a point of asking the children the same. Most of the time they were eager to talk about their day at school. So where am I going with this?
First, to Jesus seeking the refuge of quiet in the early morning hours. The idea of getting up early is not all that appealing to many, let alone to find a quiet time to pray. For me it is an imperative. Having a mind cluttered with the plans for the day and thoughts of previous days, I don't need any additional distractions. I need God and God alone.
Fortunately, my work commute requires me to rise early, not quite like the monks at the monastery that would I attend Sunday Mass as a child, but at an hour in which no one in the house is up and moving around. My time is essential to my very being. For the most part my interactions with those around me are shaped by my spiritual state of mind which in turn affects my mental and emotional stability. How do I know? It doesn't take much with a review of my day if I haven't taken the time to reflect, meditate and pray. Burst of anger, overreactions, and a whole slew of other maladies lay strewn throughout my day. A wreckage of sorts.
By no means am I saying that my day is perfect when I rise early to pray, but it is much better than the alternative.
Not knowing what Jesus said in prayers, but having some insight in that He made a point to give up His will to the Father is quite helpful for me as well. Sure I would like my commute to be perfect with everyone to driving safely and respectfully. I would also like my work day to flow perfectly without any confrontations or challenges. I would like to not snack so much and not to have any aches, pains and injuries that interrupt my quest to be a decent cyclist. Not quite God's will, so my prayer must be like Jesus in effect, giving up my will to the Father.
Setting my day before God and allowing his presence flow through me through the Spirit despite my tendency to want to draw out my own plans brings on some wonderful revelations. There is no coincidence in that upon my review of the past 24 hours that I can thankfully say that my day was a decent day. I may have had an opportunity to help others, or interact positively with an individual that I sometimes have problems with. I may have found more time to pray about situations and for others. There are so many graces that God provides daily when I find the time to spend in prayer early in the morning that I just can't enumerate them all.
Even though my children are grown, at least I can ask myself so how was your day? I did not heal anyone, but maybe a relationship. I did not cure anyone, but maybe brought some consolation. So how was your day? I am sure that with God's grace it went well. For me that all started with that time early in the morning in silence and in the presence of God.
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