“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,

who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret,

will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)

 Have you ever been tempted to lead a monastic life, even for a short period of time?  

Even though I consider myself a gregarious person, as a Roman Catholic by confession, I have always had a fascination for seclusion. How do some people withdraw from the world, retire to a secluded place and spend the rest of their life in prayer, solitude and contemplation, away from the vicissitudes of the secular world? What is at the root of their calling? How did it come about? What inner strength drives them to renounce the challenges, but also the many pleasures of a mundane life? Do they seek refuge with Jesus because they desperately long to get closer to him or are they, more prosaically, turning their back ona world they struggle to fit into? Can you imagine leading a secluded life, following the same pattern of seven canonical hours day-in and day-out, starting early in the morning with laudsand ending in the evening with compline before retiring to your cell? I must admit, that as much as I admire their devotion, I could not withdraw from the world completely, I need other, more mundane avenues to get closer to the Lord.

What does the Gospel tell us about Jesus’ relationship with solitude? 

All through the New Testament it is obvious that taking time for silence and solitude is a consistent part of Jesus’ ministry. Many passages refer to this, I quote only one: But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:16).

T.A. Torrey, the American evangelist, notes that Jesus prayed early in the morning as well as the whole night, that he prayed both before and after great events of his life and that he prayed “when life was unusually busy.”

Why did Jesus need to withdraw and pray in solitude? Why would he need to go to a desert or to a mountain top to pray? Did he need to feel closer to his Father? Did he need to reach out to him before starting the next phase of his mission? Was it to gain strength ahead of the trials he was to experience; to gain fortitude before facing the ultimate sacrifice on the cross? Probably for many of these reasons.

How can we practice solitude and get closer to God, while still remaining part of the secular world and enjoying all that life can offer ─ families, friends, fellowship, business and personal experiences? I think the Covid situation and the lockdown not only provide us with a tremendous opportunity to reflect on what really matters in life (a focus on family and real friendships), but it also allows us time to strengthen our relationship with God. While sitting at home, taking Zoom calls, take the opportunity to schedule a one-to-one meeting with God, put God on your contact list. On a regular basis, go for a walk and spend some quality time with God away from it all. In Switzerland, there is so much beauty to discover, even close to the major cities.

Give yourself enough time, find a quiet location, take as little as possible with you (no cell phone!), just allow your mind to wander, talk to God about what you have read in the Bible and pray. You will return home refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to face the world and to contribute to it positively. Be sure your next appointment with God is already scheduled.

Prayer
Dear Lord, we adore you and worship you. You paid the ultimate price to save us and to redeem us from our sins. Dear Lord, please help us get closer to you and day after daystrengthen our faith. In God we pray. Amen.