Often, I have heard sports cars advertised as going from 0- 60 in (how many seconds). Sometimes this can be like the life of a priest. What looks like a slow week can change very fast. What looks like a very open day can end up being the busiest day of the week. For the most part this only works one way. I now and then may receive a cancellation, but when things come in, they often come in groups.

Have you experienced this in your own life? Sometimes we create it by having ourselves committed to many things. If they are fun things, it can be a fun business. If not, it can be a hard burden to bear. I remember more than a few calls about someone being in an acci- dent, this can be something that changes all our plans. I remember getting the call about my nephew’s suicide. I can still feel that feeling of disbelief, the struggle my sister and her husband went through and still are. We all have plans for our lives, and I am sure we all have had plans changed on us. COVID affected a lot of peoples plans and what people wanted to do.

With all this change and business, let us not forget the Lord, but turn to the Lord. If we get overly busy, one of the first things that can sometimes be set aside is our prayer time. Yet, our prayer time can often be what gives us the strength to get through. When I get a lot of things coming in, and it happens again and again, I will tend to make a list. I sometimes put very small things on my list too, then I can check them off and feel like I am making some progress. I tend to do this on my day off too, a list of things I want to get done. The first thing on my list is always: Office of Readings, Morning Prayer, Holy Hour, Bible reading, etc. etc. My prayer time comes first, then I can: have breakfast, AM Meds, and get dressed. I may have a lot to get done that day, but prayer always comes first. Sometimes if I can’t quiet my mind, I will sit down for a rosary and ask the Blessed Mother to help.

If you had to make a detailed list of things to do tomorrow, what would be on your list? What would be on the top of your list? Would prayer be on your list? Yes, sometimes something will come along and change our day and demand our focus, but if you are going to take something off your list, do not let it be prayer. For me, that would be like saying I’m going to go through my day without breathing.

As we move into February, do not forget that Lent is starting soon. Have you spent any time reflecting on what you may do for Lent this year? Maybe what you may do as a family this Lent? Both the giving up and the picking up aspect of Lent. Add some prayer or service. Maybe you come to the Stations of the Cross on Fridays, if you have never done this, think about it, it could be a great experience. Re- member those Fast and Abstinence days. And maybe spend some time reflecting and examining your conscience before going to confes- sion. I know penance services will get busier over the next month or so.

May we all make some quiet time to be alone with the Lord, even when our time is very busy.

Blessings,

Fr. Backer