What’s So Special About Retreats? Why Attend 1-2 Retreats Each Year?
The word Retreat literally means “withdrawal.” When we participate in a Retreat, we withdraw from our activities, from our environments and from our dealings with the world for a few days. We withdraw from the world, in order to come closer to God.
But “God is Everywhere,” isn’t He? Yes, but our attention all too often gets tied up in the world, and we need to take a break to re-focus.
Busy schedules seem to get busier. Tensions in the world seem to be mounting. Days seem to go by faster. How can we get a break?
A Retreat provides an opportunity to get away from the texts and emails, news and tv, shopping and pressures from work and schedules, and get back to the One Thing Necessary. To get back to what should be The Center of our lives – to restore our union with Our Vine. As Jesus Said:
“… As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the Vine, so neither can you, unless you Abide in Me…” [St. John 15:4]
In the Holy Gospel of St. Luke, Chapter 10, Verses 41-42, we see Martha “troubled about many things,” says Jesus, and He tells her, “One Thing is Necessary.” We need to do “First Things first.” That which Martha’s sister, Mary, is doing is of foremost importance: Paying Attention to The Lord.
It’s like on an airplane, when they tell you to put your own oxygen mask on first, and then help those around you. The better shape You’re in, the more You can help others. Finding our Focus, our Center in The Lord is the Most Important Thing we can do. And sometimes we must step away to do it.
A Retreat helps us strengthen our bonds with Our Lord over a few days set aside for just that. While leaving the normal world behind, we step into a special place set apart – a space and time to be with Him.
And while drawing closer to Him, other things in our life can also become clearer. Our strength is renewed. Our appreciation for people and blessings which we may have been taking for granted become sharpened. Healing takes place. New priorities can be set. If on a Retreat with others, the Holy Spirit can manifest His surprising Gifts and uncover unexpected treasures.
We often read in Sacred Scripture that Jesus went away from the city to Pray, and also invited His Apostles, “Come apart into a desert place and rest a little while….”. [St. Mark 6:31]
The First Commandment tells us to Put God First. He Created us, He Knows What His Plan is for us. But we need to be Close to Him to be able to follow His Guidance.
With all the noise and busy-ness of the world today, a Retreat a few times a year is more a necessity than a luxury. It’s like a spiritual “Tune Up” – to unclog our heart and mind, so we can See and Hear God more clearly. It is an important and valuable investment we make not only for ourselves, but for our Loved Ones and for the world around us. And it affects not only this life, but also our Eternal Life, because coming closer to God, is the best investment we can make.