Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus consistently models the importance of a proper work-life-prayer balance. On the one hand, we observe that Jesus gives of Himself fully without reservation. He spends time teaching the crowds, healing the sick, consoling the needy and lowly, and ultimately ministering to the various needs and challenges presented by all those whom He encounters.
At the same time, we also hear time and again that Jesus goes to deserted places to pray. He spent forty days in the desert fasting and praying before He began his public ministry. When the disciples first return from being sent out to preach, heal, and cast out demons, he immediately takes them away to a deserted place for deep rest and refreshment. Every ounce of strength and ability that we have comes from God. We can do nothing without Him. Everything begins and ends in Him.
As such, it is critical that we consider the balance of our own lives. Do we regularly take time for quiet prayer? Do we make time for quality, life-giving rest and recreation? Do we allow God to be the starting and ending point of each day? How often do we retreat from the noise and bustle of the world to spend quality one-on-one time with Him?