1 John 5:5-13 / Luke 5:12-16
To say that the world is getting more and more secularized and more materialistic is certainly quite true.
But that is only one side of the situation that the world is in.
What is of interest is that people are also searching for the spiritual and to have an experience of the sacred.
Because there are people who are interested in prayer and mediation as a means to counter the stress and anxiety of life.
This is where we, the Church, are called to be beacons and signposts who will show people the path towards God and to have a spiritual encounter with Him.
But obviously, we can't do so if we ourselves are not spiritual people and also not persons of prayer.
In a busy and hurried world, we can be caught up with the swing and speed of life and lose touch with the spiritual.
We heard in the gospel that Jesus had a busy schedule - He was either teaching or healing or on a missionary journey.
But He would always make time for prayer; He would always go off to some lonely place where he could be alone to pray.
The greatest need for us as Church and for the world is to re-discover the solace and the solitude of prayer.
When we have encountered God in prayer, then we will be the sign that will lead others to find God in prayer.