Recess from Reality

Learning to use our freetime wisely and well

09/01/2021

Lk 4:38-44 After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them. At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ. At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Do you know what my favorite subject was in school? It was not math or social studies or science. It was recess! Why? Well, because recess always felt like a recess from the reality of school. During recess I could talk freely to my friends, and ask them to explain what the heck the teacher was talking about in class. There was a dry creek bed where we used our imagination to play all kinds of games. We played basketball on the parking lot – boys against the girls – and I had a crush on one of the girls.

And I hate to mention this, but one time I got into an argument and it ended up in a fight one day at recess. It was not a big fight, but I still threw the other boy to the ground and felt really bad about it afterwards. Obviously, I still feel guilty about it, almost 40 years later since I am talking about it. In other words, sometimes we used our recess from reality wisely and well, to do good things. At other times, though, we used it selfishly and sinfully, to do bad things.

In the gospel today, we see Jesus also needs a little recess from the reality of the school of evangelization. Jesus has spent the day preaching and teaching, healing the sick and driving out demons. And how does our Lord recharge his batteries? We read in Luke: “At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen said there are two kinds of people: owls and roosters. Owls are those who like to stay up late, and roosters are those who rise early.

Which of those two do you think Jesus was like? He was like a rooster, who rose early to spend time with his Father in prayer. And that is why a rooster crowed three time when Peter betrayed Jesus. The rooster was on Jesus’ side. When Jesus needed a recess from reality, therefore, he didn’t play by a creek, or talk to friends, or get into a fight (like I did), he spent time alone with his Father. Jesus took a recess from the earthly reality in order to step into a heavenly reality. That is the best kind of recess from reality.

Boys and girls, sometimes we think only school students need recess. But you will soon discover adults need a recess from reality, too. But just like me in grade school, we can “use” or “abuse” that recess and free time; we can use it well or poorly. For example, that is why some adults abuse alcohol and drink to excess. I am sorry if this hits a little close to home for some of you, but why do people drink too much and get drunk? Often, they need a recess from reality, but fail to find a healthy way to relax.

But there are also very healthy and even holy ways to relax and get a recess from reality. Some people enjoy going for a long walk with a best friend, and sometimes your best friend is your dog, like Fr. Daniel’s dog, Lola. Lola is a much better friend to Fr. Daniel than I am. Some people relax by reading a good book, or audiobooks are popular too to help you unwind. I love to listen to audiobooks as I drive around in my car.

Here’s a really crazy way to take a recess from reality: completely turn off your phone and enjoy the silence and solitude. And I do not mean simply turn your phone to “airplane mode,” but rather a “hard off.” That silence and solitude is better than any drugs you will ever take.

Also ask yourself what Fulton Sheen said: Am I an owl or a rooster? That may be the best time for you to take a little recess from reality, like Jesus did early in the morning. Whether you are a rooster or an owl, though, remember what my mother always told me: nothing good ever happens after midnight. And that goes especially for you owls.

Praised be Jesus Christ!