Why did Jesus go out to a solitary place at daybreak? To answer this question we need to look at Jesus' diary. Luke 4-5 reveals a packed and demanding apostolate.

Before verse 42, Jesus is seen driving out an evil spirit from a man, healing Simon's mother-in-law from a high fever, healing all who were brought to Him from various kinds of sicknesses, as well as driving out demons from many.

After verse 42, we see Jesus preaching in the synagogues of Judea, calling Simon, James and John to join Him, healing a man of leprosy, healing a paralytic, and calling Matthew to be with Him.

Where did Jesus get His direction and His power from? The "solitary place" that Jesus went to was His "desert". The place where God is. It is where He hears once again the call of God. It is where He once again gets recharged, renewed, restored. Without His going to the "solitary place", there is no apostole.

Today, let us remember, that amidst our calling to be involved in the various apostolates, our primary calling is to be with God. It is only when we have been with God then we can be with people to speak God's word, that would be 'fire' for their journey, their pilgrimage with God.