A tendency that I began to notice, as early as my junior year in college, in my professional life, in seminary, and even now—although rarely, in ministry—is that when I’m feeling under pressure, when I’m at my busiest, spread the thinnest, or have precious little free time, the first things that I tend to strip away are the things that are most healthy and fulfilling in my life. In college, I’d skip the 10PM Mass on Sunday night in order to study for an exam or bang out a paper due on Monday morning. Even in seminary, after burning the candle at both ends for a few days straight, one of my friends suggested that I get out for a run, because it was obvious from my grouchy attitude that I’d probably skipped a day or two.

In his article, “Recreation or Re-creation,” which appeared in Bozeman Magazine in 2014, Phil Cameron highlights the known fact that “in order to be healthy we have to eat well, move well, and think well.” I’d include in those imperatives that in order to be healthy we also have to pray well and love well. Cameron said that:

“If you examine the word recreation you will see that at its root, is the word create. The word “create” means to develop something new, whether an object, idea or movement, it is something that has not been before. Re-creation is the act of making anew. It had already previously been done but it is now time to spruce it up and do it again. Recreation is refreshment by means of a pastime, diversion, exercise or other resource affording relaxation and enjoyment. In other words, recreation should be about refreshing the body mind and spirit so we can regain our strength and purpose and be able to be more productive when we return to our vocations and family responsibilities. When you choose to recreate maybe you should consider re-creation instead of recreation.”

On our life’s journey, how we choose to spend our free time, and making the best of that precious little time, is critically important. Whether it’s through a few minutes of prayer, catching up with a friend or loved one over a brief call or a text, having a laugh, or sneaking in a run, being disciplined enough to take that sacred time to “re-create” is integral to living well.

In these final days of the Season of Creation, let’s consider the ways that we re-create ourselves. Let’s be grateful for them and let’s be intentional about making sure we carry them out. And let’s ask God, our Creator, to be with us as we pray in one of the Eucharistic Prefaces:

 It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,

Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.

For just as through your beloved Son you created the human race,

so also through him with great goodness you formed it anew.