“The disciples went to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. “At one time or another, most of us have heard the command: “go to your room.”  This is a direct order given to us as a result of not fulfilling what was asked of us; which is to be good, to listen, to be obedient, to do as we are told. But when Jesus orders us to go to the mountain, he is asking us go to the inner room of our hearts and pray to the Father. It is not a punishment but a privilege and a blessing.  Jesus extends an invitation to each one of us to experience more fully, in prayer, moments of profound intimacy, moments of deep peace, moments of divine consolation, quiet moments to share our thoughts, our praise, our joys, our difficulties with God. In prayer, we fulfill the command to love and experience God’s love for us. I think about this precious gift of prayer and the grace to be able to place ourselves in the presence of God; to be in Holy Communion with God in the silence of our hearts. What a lovely thought; what an amazing gift. It is then we can ask God to be with us, to receive from us, to take from us, to fill us, to forgive us, to heal us, to love us, to look upon us and be with us.  What a lovely thought.  I contemplate how the Virgin Mary invites us to pray.  Her heart is always open to God; she remains forever available to him.  Her heart and arms wide open to God; so receptive, so obedient to God and his holy will.  I love when our Blessed Mother commands us to do whatever Jesus tells us to do.  It is out of love for God and love for us that Mary orders us; it is for our own good.  Her very words and actions encourage us to remain open, attentive, and receptive to God’s gracious gifts and his holy will. I think about the times when I was asked to pray; the times I was forced to go to that inner room in my heart; the times I was asked to be vulnerable and obedient to God’s command.  It is those times that I felt God’s love and healing presence the most. The times I was most dependent on him. The times I was most susceptible to his grace.  The times I felt most free and one with God. So I order you, right now!  – “go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father.”  It is for your own good!