The report about [Jesus] spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.

There are some human beings who are blessed with an ability to truly understand any given situation. A veteran police detective of criminal activity will often possess such an ability. This is the premise of Arthur Conan Doyle's creation of Sherlock Holmes and his able companion Dr. John Watson. The movie "Sherlock Holmes" continues the adventures of the ageless detective. In the movie, Mr. Holmes comes up against an evil man who wants to eventually rule the world. Holmes is able to conquer him by use of his uncanny ability to study carefully what is actually happening, an ability that the movie portrays very well.         

Any person can study Sherlock Holmes' ability and see it as the result of being very clever and aware of what was actually happening. A Christian can study this ability and see in it a good guide for prayer. Prayer has many forms, but maybe the most important one is the ability to "withdraw" to some place asking God to help us study what is actually happening in our own little worlds. And once we have quieted ourselves, we work at finding a way of dealing with the problems that we encounter in light of the direction that God gives. It seems to be the way that Jesus prayed and acted during his human life.

How ever we understand how our lives take shape, if we want to be mature in our approach, we will vigilantly study what is actually happening around us. Maturity implies awareness. Sherlock Holmes was aware of every little detail as he studied the situation of a crime scene or place. People interested in being good and mature leaders will carefully study their own actions and reactions, as well as the actions and reactions of the situation, finally deciding what course of action to follow.

Christians will be biased in the way they are aware of what is happening in their lives. Just as a detective or an astute observer of some situation will analyze the state of affairs, a Christian will do the same, but from a different point of view. The Christian will see what is happening in light of what Jesus Christ said and did. In effect, it will involve the same analysis as a careful observer, but it will have a divine element to it. The Christian will solve the problem the way God would. True understanding will be the result.    

THOUGHT
 
PRAYER

Good and gracious God, in order to accomplish anything in this life, we must be in touch with you in prayer. Help us carefully study the situations of our lives, analyzing ourselves in light of your Son's directives. Be with us, we pray. 

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America