Hello, this is Father Jeremiah from the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and you are listening to From the Friars Podcast. In the Gospel today, we are given a window into what a full, apostolic day looks like for Jesus. And he is quite busy. We are told that Jesus is healing the sick, he's casting out demons, and he's preparing to go to the nearby villages to preach.
And yet, despite all of this busyness and this overwhelming need, we are told that Jesus rose very early before dawn and went off to a deserted place where he prayed. How mysterious and beautiful is that verse and the reality which is signified. But also, how strange is it? Why would the second person of the Holy Trinity need to pray?
Why would he choose to step aside for a time of solitary prayer when it is very clear that so many people are in need of him? It's because Jesus knows that the Father has the entire universe in his hands and more specifically in his heart. And so for Jesus, prayer is an opportunity to intensify and to deepen his union with the Father, to express his love for the Father, and to receive the Father's love in return. This is why Jesus seeks out times of solitary prayer.
And to put it more simply, and this might sound a little bit cliche, but Jesus is teaching us that prayer is ultimately about love, receiving the Father's love and loving him in return. People who are in love never need an excuse or a reason to be together, to want to be alone. Love is the very reason and motivation for their solitude together. Therefore, if we wish to deepen our union with the Father, then like Jesus, our solitary prayer can have no other reason for motivation other than love.
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