The humor and wisdom of the early monks; still needed now:

My wife was telling me about one renown desert monk who retreated to the desert (not a bad idea these days!) to gain Wisdom and just sit with God in a cave.
He did so, so well, that He became Wise, and other monks wanted to be near him, so that it got way too busy in the desert for him and he moved away. Love that story.
You’re trying to get to the garden of intimacy, you do, but then everyone sets up tents in the garden and it’s just like the city you tried to escape! Ever feel like that?
I also like that it’s still powerful to seek Wisdom (especially in times of clamor and trauma-it’s not escapism to seek the Face of God in tumultuous times! In fact, it may be most helpful!), and a crowd always seems to gather once you find Him!
Jesus was always walking away, and people were following Him. At times He told His students, wait here, while i go pray! But everyone wanted to be close by Him. “How can I only do what I see my father doing, if you guys are always around talking?” I can imagine him at least thinking to Himself at times!
Anyway, many of the monks were funny without realizing it!
In our times, I do think finding that inner intimacy garden or desert no matter how many people are around, might be the boldest aid to those in need, actually being in Peace creates the safety for healing.
That cave Joy of communion, blesses the whole city, and you can be sure people will gather-yellow has a way of being seen!
Love and Peace, Joy and Hope attract, and are very attractive right about now, and seemingly rare! If we can be in those, we will be agents of healing in a very wounded time. Even if we can’t hide out forever. And have to keep finding the mobile garden or desert! Or like that old monk, move caves.