Jesus frequently withdrew to places
where he could be alone to pray. (see Luke. 5:16)
It is most important that we take note of this practice of prayer that Jesus followed throughout his public life. The key feature here is "a place of solitude" in which to pray. The expression, "one-on-one" comes to mind. It is personal, the God of the universe now giving His full attention to just one, alone, before Him.
We have already considered "A Place To Pray", in the Praying Scripture Series, (links listed in the side panel) Here are some further reflections.
COMMUNION WITH JESUS: Throughout the apostolic period and into the first century of the Church, there was a truly real, and deeply spiritual, communion with Christ that characterized the religious experience of believers. From this, believers drew the strength and courage to endure the persecutions that were launched against them. They retreated to the safety of the catacombs to be nourished in their faith. Others retreated to hidden places in the wilderness for protection and to pray. Here we have the beginnings of the monastic movement within the Church. As the persecutions started to subside under the emperor Constantine, the focus begins to shift away from the enemy "without", to the enemy "within" - to the corrupting influences of the world that could infect their faith life, their communion with Christ and destroy it.
We have already considered "A Place To Pray", in the Praying Scripture Series, (links listed in the side panel) Here are some further reflections.
COMMUNION WITH JESUS: Throughout the apostolic period and into the first century of the Church, there was a truly real, and deeply spiritual, communion with Christ that characterized the religious experience of believers. From this, believers drew the strength and courage to endure the persecutions that were launched against them. They retreated to the safety of the catacombs to be nourished in their faith. Others retreated to hidden places in the wilderness for protection and to pray. Here we have the beginnings of the monastic movement within the Church. As the persecutions started to subside under the emperor Constantine, the focus begins to shift away from the enemy "without", to the enemy "within" - to the corrupting influences of the world that could infect their faith life, their communion with Christ and destroy it.
The practice of "retreating" to places of prayer and reflection continues to be an important part of the spiritual practice of the Church. Retreat houses dedicated to the ministry of conducting retreats are found in most diocese. Different types of retreats include: Confirmation Retreats - Charismatic Retreats - Teen Retreats - Family Retreats - Married Couple Retreats - Women’s Retreats - Pastor Retreats - Monastic/Abbey Retreats. Here is a LINK to a website dedicated to exploring retreats and the places where they are offered.
Erecting Chapels and Oratory's in the houses of religious, in rectory's, schools, hospitals and other similar places is quite common. Another, is the practice of creating a place to pray in one's own home - "my own private oratory". These places and spaces invoke a sense of the sacred and of presence for one who wishes to "enter" into prayer. Here is a LINK to a website that explores in detail the establishing of a Private Oratory/Place of Prayer in one's home.
Erecting Chapels and Oratory's in the houses of religious, in rectory's, schools, hospitals and other similar places is quite common. Another, is the practice of creating a place to pray in one's own home - "my own private oratory". These places and spaces invoke a sense of the sacred and of presence for one who wishes to "enter" into prayer. Here is a LINK to a website that explores in detail the establishing of a Private Oratory/Place of Prayer in one's home.
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