The above saying is one that I say to my friends - and even others - from time to time. While it is jovial, I find myself saying it to myself more and more recently. Which is why I'm saying it to myself once again. And I need to.
I'm leaving for my annual retreat tomorrow. This will be the first one that I've gone on since I've been ordained, and I'm very much looking forward to it. I'll be heading out a good numbers of hours away from SWPA, to what seems to be a wonderful, peaceful and blessed place in New England. (I've not yet been there, so I'm going on what's been put on their website.) I've been looking toward this retreat for some time now - especially since the World Youth Day pilgrimage is right around the corner. (Yep, I'll be back a little over a week, and then I head with our group of 17-or-so to Spain.)
I think that I wrote in a previous entry how I was explaining to a friend that retreats are a good thing. He had joked with me that I shouldn't be retreating in life, but courageously moving forward. And, laughingly agreeing with him, told him that for me to move forward - or anyone for that matter - I had to "retreat" and fall back, see what I've done, where I've been, so that I know where I am going and what I am to do. I still think of this conversation often, especially when I am preparing to go on retreat. I need to "Go with God" - we all do. But, even more so, we all just need to "go".
The only thing now separating me from leaving on retreat are three Masses, one sleep, and packing. (I have a feeling that the packing won't occur until tonight or tomorrow morning, but we'll see.) And while I wish, in some sense, that I had someone to drive up with me, I'll be happy to have some time alone in the car. I have a number of CD's to listen to, and lots of good music to set me in the "retreat mood / mode". I'm looking forward to some down time / quiet time.
Pray for me, as I will for you.
Enjoy the journey . . .
