“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke
5:16
That short sentence is an example of good
writing. Those few words express a memorable message. Jesus invites us to
follow him—to do what he did. It’s not the cross: it’s a simple practice. Jesus
often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Let’s risk dissecting it to see how
each word or phrase contributes to its meaning.
But
It’s a mood-changer that prompts us to consider the context.
Jesus has just healed a leprous man and has ordered him not to tell anyone. You’ve
got to be kidding! “Yet the news about [Jesus] spread all the more, so that crowds
of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus
withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
Jesus
This incident is early in his life and ministry. Consider
what we know at this point in the Gospel. St. Luke has given us significant details
about Jesus’ birth and early life. After his baptism, Jesus spent forty days in
the wilderness fasting and being tempted by the devil. He was rejected, and
nearly murdered, by the townspeople in his hometown. He began to call a few men
to follow him. He responded to the needs of the people.
Often
How often: every day, once a week, whenever he felt the
need? The Message conveys “as often
as possible.” Was Jesus so attuned to his need for prayer that he didn’t schedule
times away? Were the needs so great that he couldn’t plan his retreats? It
simply says, “Jesus often withdrew.”
Withdrew
No doubt he did this for at least a couple of reasons: He
was exhausted, and he needed to stay in touch with his Father. The fourth
Gospel says that Jesus was dependent on his Father (e.g. John 5:19-20). Probably
the most difficult part about withdrawing was getting away.
To lonely places
That phrase may not sound inviting. Who wants to be in a
lonely place? The New Living Translation
says “the wilderness.” Jesus’ forty-day wilderness experience prepared him for
these shorter stints. He may have had favorite places where he could be alone
with his Father.
And prayed
What is prayer? How did Jesus pray? Did he pray the Psalms?
Did he simply experience his Father’s presence in solitude and silence? Did he
plead for help? Did he intercede for his family members and friends? John 17 is
the fullest expression of Jesus’ prayer.
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
For Reflection and Discussion
What are the “Buts” in your life? What circumstances prompt you
to take a time-out?
How does your life resemble Jesus’ life? How is it different
from his?
How often is “often” for you? Do you long to withdraw more frequently?
What events, past and present, make it easy or difficult to withdraw?
Do you welcome or resist lonely places? Where is your favorite
place to be alone?
What is prayer like for you? Are you satisfied, or are you
looking for more?
A Few Resources
Armchair Mystic:
Easing Into Contemplative Prayer by Mark E. Thibodeaux, S.J. (Saint Anthony
Messenger Press, 2001)
Invitation to Solitude
and Silence: Experiencing God’s Transforming Presence by Ruth Haley Barton
(IVP, 2010)
Praying the Parables:
A Spiritual Journey through the Stories of Jesus by Joyce Huggett (IVP,
1996)
Psalms: The Prayer
Book of the Bible by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Augsburg , 1974)
Too Busy Not to Pray:
Slowing Down to Be With God by Bill Hybels (IVP, 1998)
Wasting Time with God:
A Christian Spirituality of Friendship with God by Klaus Issler (IVP, 2001)
Thought provoking meditation, Stan! Being alone wherever that might occur is appealing to me but I think that's how many people might view "lonely." My prayers and meditation flow more freely when it is just my Heavenly Father and me in a quiet place without the distractions of phone, computer. tv or daily tasks. Such locations are a challenge to find.
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