WEDNESDAY, February 25
Mark 1:29-45

That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed by demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. — Mark 1:32-34

Jesus’ ministry gains momentum as word of his miracles begins to spread. He visits the home of Simon and Andrew and heals Simon’s mother-in-law. Then he heals many townspeople and casts out demons. He then sets out early the next morning and goes to a solitary place to pray. Once again, we can see Jesus’ time of prayer as a lesson to us. After a busy time of healing and teaching, he takes a break to pray. Any of us who serve the church, from volunteer to bishop, are aware that a pattern of busyness and rest is crucial to preserving our energy and avoiding burnout.

In convents and monasteries, we balance our work time and our prayer time throughout the day, every day. If we are in the middle of a work project and the bell rings for chapel, we drop everything to go and pray. In secular work, you might put in your allotted hours and engage in prayer time outside your work hours. Monastics are taught that prayer is our work. Praying, in religious life, is our number one priority. This communal prayer time is sometimes referred to as the Daily Office, or daily work.

I am very much aware that if my work in the Convent were not punctuated by prayer at regular intervals, I would not have the strength to do my ministry. Prayer is a deep well from which I constantly draw nourishment and wisdom.