Psalm 122:8
For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
Philippians 1:3-6
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
“In solitude we can come to the realization that we are not driven together but brought together. In solitude we come to know our fellow human beings not as partners who can satisfy our deepest needs, but as brothers and sisters with whom we are called to give visibility to God’s all-embracing love. In solitude we discover that community is not a common ideology, but a response to a common call. In solitude we indeed realize that community is not made but given.” – Henri J. M. Nouwen Clowning in Rome
Reflection:
Today, we invite you to read the scripture above slowly a few times. Then read the quote from Henri Nouwen. We were created with the need for both solitude and community. Each supports and grows the other in Love. Just like Jesus took time away, we need time to rest and be alone. And then we enter into the community and the action of loving others. Spend some time with God in prayer about growing in the love of Christ in solitude and community.