We would all like a deserted place of our own, an out-of-the-way escape from the constant demands on our time and energy. A place to be alone with ourselves and our God. Sadly, few of us can possess a desert of our own to go to. Even setting aside a small room in our own homes is a nonstarter for most of us. So, we need to be creative.
You need to make your own desert place. It could be a basket or a small box. Put in it whatever things give you peace: a photograph of a beloved friend or family member, a small icon of a religious figure: Christ, Mary, or a Saint. You might want some small objects from a memorable vacation or special family event.
Maybe your out-of-the-way place could be a picture album of the people you love or tranquil landscape pictures of places you have visited. When you need to get away to a desert, spend some time flipping through those photographs.
Make or find your own deserted place. Let it be a place where you can get away from the busyness of your days and reconnect with God. An important element of any good desert place is that it requires you to unplug, turn off, and not answer any device!
Our spirits need a quiet place, a sacred place, where and when we can escape the noise, the confusion, and the distractions that are all around us. We need a place to reconnect with God in the quiet of our heart. Jesus invites us to find that space, like he did, so that we can be re-energized to re-engage with those we love, to hear God’s voice again calling us to a more joyful time, a more restful moment, and a greater involvement with each other. You can find that desert place~~~~maybe it’s just as close as a picture album or a box.
Father Don
