16th Sunday in Ordinary Time - B 2024

In seminary, we were expected to pray a holy hour every day along with additional prayers. Initially, this was a challenge as I hadn't yet developed a strong habit of daily prayer. I remember one day when I was really tempted to skip my holy hour. As I walked back to my room after class, I passed by the open door of the chapel. A thought popped into my head: “What on earth are you doing here at seminary if you aren’t willing to pray? Prayer is essential.” It hit me like a ton of bricks. Seminary is where you are formed to be a priest, to become more like Jesus the Good Shepherd and High Priest. What was the point of it all if I didn’t take time to get to know the person who was the model of my formation? I realized that to truly follow Jesus, I needed to spend regular time in prayer with Him. I came to seminary to follow Jesus and discern my vocation. Why wouldn’t I want to spend time with Him?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites His disciples to come away to a quiet place to rest. They had been so busy with their ministry that they didn’t even have time to eat! Despite the constant demands, they leave in a boat to find solitude. Yet, the people learn where He is going and go ahead on foot to meet Him there. Moved with compassion, Jesus begins to teach them.

Many people think that being Christian is about doing good things—serving the poor, caring for the sick, and helping the community. These are indeed important. As Christians, we are called to be active and do good deeds, but the Christian life cannot be reduced merely to philanthropic action. God desires a relationship with each of us. He wants us to spend time with Him and know Him. This happens through prayer. Prayer is dialogue with God. Through conversation, we grow in our relationship with Him. Think of any couple or friendship. People come to know each other through dialogue. If we do not take time to converse with God, how will we develop a personal relationship with Him?

Some people say, “I don’t set aside time for prayer. My work is my prayer. I do good things, and that is my prayer to God.” That’s not enough. There must be a balance between the active life and the life of prayer. This is made clear in today’s Gospel. Jesus and His disciples went to a deserted place despite the constant demands. After their time away, Jesus ministered to more crowds. Our personal relationship with Jesus must animate and sustain the good works we do. How can we claim to do the mission of the Master if we do not take time to know the Master? If the Son of God sees the need for a balance between the active and contemplative life, what makes us think we don’t also have this need?

Developing a regular prayer life does not mean all our problems will magically disappear or guarantee our circumstances will be changed. And yet, prayer nevertheless makes a significant difference. Those with a regular prayer life are stronger in faith and hope. They trust in God more readily and face life’s challenges knowing they are loved and cared for by the Good Shepherd.

Each of us needs to spend some time each day in quiet prayer before God. It doesn’t have to be an hour every day, but we all need at least a few minutes to “come away and rest awhile” with God. This can be particularly challenging for families, but praying together as a family can be a way to rest with God. This prayer can be the recitation of rote prayers like the Rosary or mental prayer, simply telling God what is on your heart. Express your anger, sadness, joy, or gratitude. Praise Him, thank Him for your blessings, and ask for what you need.

Listening to God is another key component of prayer. In any healthy relationship, both parties listen to each other. We need to spend time in silence, paying attention to the movements of our minds and hearts to hear God speaking to us. Silence is the language of God.

God wants a relationship with each of us. This relationship needs to be maintained through dialogue and conversation. Each of us needs to ensure that we “come away and rest awhile” with God. If you do not have a daily prayer routine, start one today! Don’t put it off. I leave you with this quote from Pope Benedict: “If the lungs of prayer and of the Word of God do not nourish the breath of our spiritual life, we risk being overwhelmed by countless everyday things: prayer is the breath of the soul and of life” (General Audience April 25th, 2012). Prayer is the breath of the soul. Don’t forget to breathe!