Very early in Mark’s Gospel, before Jesus has had a chance to do much of anything, he withdraws to a deserted place to pray. Jesus takes a deliberate pause from healing the sick and casting out demons. “In the morning, while it was still very dark, [Jesus] got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also, for that is what I came out to do’” (Mark 1:35–38). The pattern of the spiritual life, if we take Christ as our model, is not one of nonstop productivity or engagement.

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