First, try to arrive at church ahead of time in order to find adequate quiet time to pray, perhaps 20-30 minutes early. A daily Mass, which tends to be a bit more quiet, is an excellent option for your mini-retreat as well.

Settle yourself with some of your favorite prayers, repeating them slowly and thoughtfully, especially the Our Father. Bring to mind that you are in the presence of Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your prayer.

Then, turn to the parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke (10: 30-35). Read this passage slowly several times and pay attention to any words or phrases that capture your imagination.

“A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but … he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite … passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him.”

As you read this passage, can you picture yourself in the place of the man who was robbed? Is there a way in which you might be feeling defeated, robbed or abandoned in your life at this time? Name those circumstances, sharing them in your heart with the Lord.

Now, can you imagine the Lord finding you “half-dead” and taking care of you? Try to picture Jesus coming to you in your current circumstances, stopping to tend to your wounds and bless you. Can you imagine him carrying you to a place of safety? What would that look like? Rest in that safe place for a few moments.

Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, OCD, offers a helpful reflection on this in his book of meditations, Divine Intimacy:

“We should go to Mass in order to meet him, the Good Samaritan ... When he comes to us in Holy Communion, he will heal our wounds, not only our exterior wounds, but our interior ones also, abundantly pouring into them the sweet oil and strengthening wine of his grace.” (#273)

As you approach Jesus in Holy Communion today, ask the Lord to show you his presence as your protector and your healer – as one who will never abandon you, but will stop, tend to your wounds and then carry you to a safe place. After Communion, allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. Then, give thanks to God.

Repeating exercises like this can be helpful in allowing the Lord to speak to our hearts. God’s word is living and active; it can never be worn out. We can trust that when we come to pray with God’s word that he is speaking actively to our hearts and into our personal situations.