"To Whom Shall we Go?"

    I have been thinking a lot about this years youth ministry retreat.  Recently, while praying the Fourth Luminous mystery of the Rosary, I found myself thinking and praying very fervently for each of you and your work with teens.  I didn’t realize until afterward when I had gone back to look at the Gospel passage of Mark, on the Transfiguration why I was so fixated on praying for you.
     As I read Mark 9, and skimmed over the previous chapters, I was struck by the way in which the Gospel continues to come to life everyday for each of us.  We live it when we live in Christ. 
     Before Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up the mountain for a little one on one time, there is a flurry of activity.  These guys are called by Christ to do his work in the world and they do just that.  The first eight chapters are a mad flurry of apostolic work.  There are baptism’s, healings, teachings, worship, prayer, mercy, love, miracles, battles with Satan, missions, time with family, rejection of His divinity, five thousand are fed, more healing’s, more miracles and right before the transfiguration there is a great revelation.
     In Matthew 16 Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom.  He entrusts all that he has revealed to Peter, giving him the keys to the kingdom of heaven.  In faith, Peter confesses the divinity of Christ, let’s face it, Peter did not always know what the Lord was talking about, there were numerous times, this being one of them where he gave his blind obedience out of his deep love of Christ.  But, in the next moment, Peter probably still a little swelled up with pride from his big promotion, rejects the cross.  The man who has been given the keys to the kingdom is immediately punk slapped by the Lord.  Jesus quickly rebukes Peter saying to him “Get behind me satan.”  Who needed a retreat at that moment more than St. Peter?  And when he got to the mountain, Christ, Elijah, and Moses restore and renew Peter’s faith and confidence.  So much so, that Peter wants to pitch tents and live in the moment for awhile.
     What does all of this have to do with our own lives?  Peter is likely a confused mess after this experience and is in need of some time away from the work and the distractions.  Some intimate time in which to contemplate how Christ is calling him to fully utilize his gifts.  Isn’t that all of us?  Running to D.C., back to the parish, life night, prayer night, XLT, and on and on and on we continue to do things for our teens.  How many times do we feel like we did it just the way Christ wanted us to, only to be reminded a day later that we aren't quite there yet and need to strive to love Him more perfectly?
     Perhaps, it is time that we retreat to the mountain for a time of revelation and rest in the Lord.  Feb 26th-28th, join us at Kings house retreat center for this years youth ministry retreat.  The theme is “To Whom Shall we Go Lord,” we will explore our faith by looking at our lives through the eyes of St. Peter.  I am convinced that this will be an amazing opportunity for rest, prayer, intimacy, and restoration in the Lord for all of us.  We invite you to come and pitch your tent with us for a couple of days. We look forward to seeing you, know that we are praying for you!