Station 1

He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives...

Have you ever done the stations of the cross as a devotion? Maybe we can do it together. Seems like an appropriate time of year for it. Check out Mark Robert's blog. He has a good write-up on it.

The first one is Jesus on the Mount of Olives. I like how the Luke passage starts out: "...he came and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives..." What a master. He lived in such a way that his disciples noticed. I have this image of Jesus being very busy and engaged, but at the same time being very intentional about slipping away to be with the Father. He did this so much that it became "his custom." He shows us the way. He shatters any notion that being too busy is an excuse. He clearly got something out of his time with the Father. So much so that he returned semi-regularly. Not in an unappealing, obsessive-compulsive, obligatory sort of way.

I will be learning some more about "getting away" this Saturday. I will be going to a retreat on Contemplative Prayer in Maumelle (thanks to the Episcopalians). I will go with anticipation.