For many years, I cultivated a sacred ritual of embarking on self-guided silent retreats. These retreats took me to diverse locations, ranging from rustic mountain cabins and monasteries to tranquil beachfront hotel rooms and campsites. Regardless of the setting, the goal remained the same: to immerse myself in solitude and embrace silence completely. During these retreats, I abstained from modern distractions such as television, music, emails, and social media, creating a space for introspection, prayer, meditation, and connection with the divine. These moments of profound spiritual closeness with God rejuvenated my soul and offered me invaluable nourishment.

The Unintentional Pause:

However, a few years ago, without consciously deciding to do so, I stopped prioritizing these cherished retreats. The busyness of everyday life took precedence, and I inadvertently allowed this meaningful practice to slip away. It wasn't until recently, by the grace of God, that I felt a powerful calling to return to the retreat experience. This past weekend, I heeded the call and went on a retreat, emerging as a renewed individual. To facilitate this retreat, I was fortunate to have access to our boat with a cabin, overcoming personal fears in the process: sailing alone without the assistance of my spouse and spending the night at anchor—all firsts for me. With God's guiding hand, I conquered these concerns, and everything fell into place perfectly. I found a serene bay neighboring a nature preserve and embraced the approach of abstaining from conversations, technology, and external distractions.

Rediscovering Profound Rest:

The impact of this retreat was beyond anything I had experienced in recent years. Even during vacations, we tend to engage in activities or exploration to some extent. However, this deliberate absence of stimuli and constant genle swaing of the boat did wonders for my mental, emotional, and physical well-being. In the moments when I wasn't engaged in prayer or reading, I simply existed. I had the opportunity to contemplate and immerse myself in the beauty surrounding me—the ever-changing patterns of clouds, the vibrant hues of sunset, the sounds of fish leaping and terns soaring overhead. I delighted in observing pelicans diving gracefully for their lunch. Time ceased to hold importance as I discarded my watch, embracing a natural rhythm of sleep and waking. As a result of this profound rest and contemplation, an overwhelming sense of gratitude enveloped me, amplifying my appreciation for God's blessings in my life and the wonders of his creation. It became clear to me why God, in his infinite wisdom, instructed us to observe rest on the Sabbath.

The Gift of Silence:

Additionally, I savored the precious gift of silence during my retreat. I was immersed in absolute tranquility, with only the gentle lapping of water against the boat, the melodies of passing birds, or the distant hum of a far-off boat breaking the stillness. In our daily lives, we encounter countless sounds and noises. While it is possible to find God in interactions with friends and in acts of service to those in need, I find it easiest to connect with him in the Holy Eucharist and in moments of silence. Silence allows me to sense God's presence, to feel his warmth, to hear his whispers, and to experience his loving acceptance and embrace. Often, God reveals his will for us through the subtle nudges and soft murmurs of the Holy Spirit. Sister Silence acts as our ally, sharpening our listening skills. Jesus Himself exemplified this practice, frequently withdrawing to the mountains or wilderness to seek solace and communion with his Father in silence.

I came back home physically and spiritually nourished. On Monday at work, I could not resist the desire to spread God's joy to all and I could not stop smiling. Our God is such a wonderful God. It's such a blessing to be alive. I'm committed to take another weekend for God in six months.

Blessings to all of you and your family.