In the Gospel of Mark it reads, “Rising very early before the dawn, Christ left and went off to a deserted place, where He would pray.” Before the dawn to a deserted place where He could commune with His Father. The Love between Father and Son is the Holy Spirit. That pure Love that wishes to abide within our heart as well. Christ knocks upon the door of our heart, but it is we who must answer the door. Prayer opens us to relationship with the Blessed Trinity. “The one who loves Me shall be loved by My Father and I will love you and manifest Myself to you.” It may be difficult to trust. It may be difficult to love. God waits patiently for us to open our heart. “For God does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults. For as far as the East is from the West, so far does He remove our sins.” Ps 103 For me, I find my deserted place in my bed since I am now homebound. I tell you this because I want you to understand a deserted place can be anywhere you can be alone with God. It could be a closet space or your bathroom. The object is to find a few minutes each day to be alone with Him. There you may commune with God. Lay everything before His feet. Your senses, your feelings, your intellect. Open your heart to the Holy Spirit. You are opening your heart to pure Love. Do not be afraid. You will soon find an inner joy and a peace that can only come from God.

Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Your brother in Christ Jesus,
Mark
Hermits of the Holy Cross