“If your day is hemmed in with prayer, it is less likely to come unraveled.”

“Contemplative prayer in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.” - St. Teresa of Avila: (1515 – 1582: was a prominent Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, Carmelite nun and author during the Counter Reformation)

Gospel Text: (MK 6:30-34)

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus

and reported all they had done and taught.

He said to them,

"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."

People were coming and going in great numbers,

and they had no opportunity even to eat.

So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.

People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.

They hastened there on foot from all the towns

and arrived at the place before them.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd,

his heart was moved with pity for them,

for they were like sheep without a shepherd;

and he began to teach them many things.

In our often busy lives, though, we need to make time for ourselves and that can be perfect time for prayer. It can be as simple as a deep breath where we take a moment to be grateful for what we have. Where we ask for help with what we are struggling with. Where we ask for help in understanding and being present for others. I need to remember to try to schedule these breaks into my days – just a few minutes to breathe deeply and to pray, to open myself up to God and to remember to find God in all things, even in that to-do list that seems to march endlessly on.

The first part of the 23rd Psalm offers a good starting place for those breaks. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose. Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.