| Summertime officially arrives with the equinox this week, and with it, free days and travel planning – an eagerness to "get away from it all", to have some fun, see some sites and take it easy.
"Vacation" we call it – literally "to vacate" our premises; to 'get out of Dodge'; to empty out the stress, the demands and noise of daily life. Without such respite we will quickly find ourselves in trouble – depleted, exhausted and unable to continue.
Jesus knew this need. He traveled to Jerusalem with his family for the festivals. And perhaps more telling, he went out…into the desert for 40 days, into the wilderness overnight, across to the other side of the lake - to get away from it all, to rest up and to be in communion with God.
Even though we might not think of vacation as 'spiritual' or religious time, it does allow us to follow Christ's example. It could be a religious retreat or day of recollection, or some quality time with spouse, family or close friends. It could be some solitude "up Nort 'der hey", just listening to the quiet and soaking in nature's beauty. Maybe it will be travel to a special destination? Such 'vacating' is essential to our spiritual, emotional, relational and physical health.
For in the pause, the quiet and the vacated emptiness of heart, soul and schedule, God can begin to direct our thoughts. Perhaps something we try to 'outrun' will confront us? Perhaps an insight or solution will present itself to delight us? Perhaps in the safety of vacation, a wound can be healed, a sin can be dealt with, a plan for forward progress can be perceived?
Of course we have this vacation tradition from the foundation of the world. After six days' work of creating the universe, God rested – took a break, a 'day off', to assess and enjoy and just rest! "Sabbath" it's called, Sunday – the Lord's Day.
Threatened and diminished by a culture that never stops, a "24/7" mentality that never allows a pause or a break, and by our human inclination toward denial and avoidance, the absence of Sabbath rest – a regular, weekly vacation poses a problem for us all. Particularly, the absence of reflection, prayer and worship leave us without the skills we need to navigate life in a healthy, balanced, wholesome and "holy" way.
I knew a man who lost his son – the victim of a drunk driver. He would come to mass every week, sit in the back corner, rocking quietly in the pew, remembering, reflecting and weeping – holding his son's prayer book. Church seemed to be the only place where he could 'connect' with his son, with God, with his pain, loss, and even his hope!
He could not even utter "Amen" in the communion line, so constant his tears in that hour. But he could also not bring himself to be absent. There was honesty and struggle and hope in that Sabbath rest and worship for him. If we stop, it may hurt; but it will also heal.
Perhaps we're afraid of the quiet? Maybe, we fear that if we stop and "vacate", we will have to allow ourselves to be confronted with tough truth? Possibly frantic work patterns, loud, glitzy venues and constant electronic noise distract us enough to keep us safe from all that?
But not really; and please God, not permanently. No.
eed vacation; we need regular Sabbath rest and worship, to get in touch with what's really true, good and beautiful, and with what we have done, who we have become and who we are called to be – for earth and for Heaven! Don't miss summer's chance!
In the quiet, in an unfamiliar setting, with family or friends - happy, holy, healing vacation!
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