Pray

To pray is to listen to God. To listen requires time and attention. To listen is some sort of a pre-commandment. In fact, it is a prelude to the ten commandments: "Listen, Israel!"
I remember that I once heard a young father say "in my house everybody talks, nobody listens."
What a pity it is when we only talk and we don't know how to listen! It is listening that transforms talking into conversation.
In today's Gospel (Luke 5:12-16), we hear about Jesus' growing popularity, how many people were listening to Him and wanting to be healed. But in all these, Jesus goes off in deserted places to pray.
Prayer is a great equalizer. It enables us to take a reality check.
Prayer makes us realize that our accomplishments are good but they are not forever.
Prayer makes us remember that our difficulties and sufferings may be great but they are not forever.
Prayer helps us to understand that neither our accomplishments nor our sufferings defines who we are.
Prayer reminds us that, first and foremost, we are beloved children of a Good Father.