This passed weekend I had that amazing opportunity once again to attend a silent retreat. As usual with these weekends, I had no idea what was in store for me, what aspect God wanted me to work on in order to help me move forward in my spiritual life. The grace of these silent retreats has always been awesome to me; in the silence of our hearts we can truly sense God’s presence. I cannot express my gratitude in mere words for the holy priests who led the meditations this weekend as they allowed the Holy Spirit to work through them to reach the depths of our hearts and souls.
One thing that was revealed to me this weekend, which I must share with you, came to me in the words of Christ ( John 6:20) and our Holy Fathers, late Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI “BE NOT AFRAID”
During a break, I was taking time to reflect on the last meditation and thought it would be nice to implore Our Blessed Mother’s intercession, by physically spending some time with a statue of her. Outside the retreat centre, is a Rosary lane, and at the end of Rosary lane there was a statue of Mother Mary, holding the Christ child. It was in a nice shady area and there was a bench where one could sit and contemplate and be surrounded by nature.
I am not very fond of insects, especially one’s that insist on landing, crawling or buzzing any where near me. Well, as I sat on this bench, the whole time, there were these little insects, not much bigger than fruit flies that kept flying around me and landing on my arms and hands. Needless to say I was annoyed, and very distracted. I sat there for less than a minute I am sure, before I gave up on the idea and went back inside.
Once I was back inside, in a bug-free zone, I sensed that Mother Mary had used this to show me something. “Are not those pesky bugs, like the fears I have that stunt my spiritual growth?”
What sort of things are we afraid of in life? Are we afraid …
… God will ask too much of us, if we truly say “YES” to his will?
… of watching our children turn away from God, or are we afraid of watching them suffer?
… to truly face our own sinfulness?
… of making the necessary changes we need to make in our career, or our family life.
…to detach ourselves from material things.
Our fears that seem huge to us as we live our lives here on earth, to God in Heaven must look like those pesky bugs. Truly, those little bugs were not even stinging me, they were just landing and crawling and flying, but it was enough to make me change my path, my course of action. If they were stingers; surely I would have had more reason to fear the pain and consequences. In most cases though, insect bites cause a little annoyance, itchiness that will last a few days and then be gone.
Sometimes, fear is a good motivator for us to avoid what may be harmful to our souls. In this case, Mother Mary was showing me that the fears I have are unwarranted and even ridiculous in the grand scheme of things. She showed me that I am allowing those pesky bugs to hold me back from doing what is best for me and my family.
Of course in choosing to follow Christ, there will be struggles, Christ said himself, “pick up your cross and follow me” ( Matthew 16:24) “Do not let your hearts be troubled, have faith.” ( John 14:1) “I will be with you until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Blessed Mother, I pray more and more souls will turn to you with their fears. That we will not be intimidated by your holiness, and instead implore your help to be able to say a resounding “YES’ to the call of your loving Son; with your example of faith, hope and love we will strive to live by your example in the same humility, piety and courage you showed as you accepted your vocation, help us to accept ours.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The Value of Attending Silent Retreats: Part II
I realize my last post focused more on discerning reasons we might refuse the invitation to attend a silent retreat. It came to me today that I should add my own personal experience and why I have come to truly value attending these retreats.
Many times I asked myself, “How can I keep my children grounded in their Catholic faith? How can I ensure that my husband and my boys truly feel God’s love?”
Realizing that what helped me to recognize Christ in the Catholic Church was not just the example that my own parents provided, by attending mass weekly, being involved in our Parish community, encouraging family rosary and attending retreats and formative conferences themselves.
My spiritual journey has also been strengthened by the sacrifices I have made in the time I have devoted to attend retreats, formative talks and to participate in adult Catechesis programs. My children are young, and I don’t know for certain what their journey ahead will be, or what choices they will make. I can say without a doubt that if my own parents’ example left an impression on me (good or bad), I know my example will leave an impression on them.
Our children will see right through us, if we are not sincerely living as Catholics that is the example they will take with them. If we are not keeping Christ first in our lives, how can we expect them too? I can preach to my children all day, but we all know, that what I say is drowned out by the example I give them everyday.
If I want a good chance at my children remaining good Catholics, then I have to be a good Catholic myself. If I want my children to feel God’s love, then I have to know God’s love myself.
A weekend away, or a program to help me learn my faith may seem like a sacrifice at first, but this is all part of the example I provide, and while providing the example I take advantage of growing closer to Christ. The example is not a show I put on for my kids; it’s a natural part of growing in friendship with Christ. If you have read my post on “Meditation on Gods Love”
it may clarify the point I am trying to make here.
Again, I understand that sometimes there is a good reason for missing out, but acknowledge that you are missing out. The wonderful gift of “free will” allows us to make this choice. I pray then that you resolve to deal with challenges and look forward to attending future retreats.
Many times I asked myself, “How can I keep my children grounded in their Catholic faith? How can I ensure that my husband and my boys truly feel God’s love?”
Realizing that what helped me to recognize Christ in the Catholic Church was not just the example that my own parents provided, by attending mass weekly, being involved in our Parish community, encouraging family rosary and attending retreats and formative conferences themselves.
My spiritual journey has also been strengthened by the sacrifices I have made in the time I have devoted to attend retreats, formative talks and to participate in adult Catechesis programs. My children are young, and I don’t know for certain what their journey ahead will be, or what choices they will make. I can say without a doubt that if my own parents’ example left an impression on me (good or bad), I know my example will leave an impression on them.
Our children will see right through us, if we are not sincerely living as Catholics that is the example they will take with them. If we are not keeping Christ first in our lives, how can we expect them too? I can preach to my children all day, but we all know, that what I say is drowned out by the example I give them everyday.
If I want a good chance at my children remaining good Catholics, then I have to be a good Catholic myself. If I want my children to feel God’s love, then I have to know God’s love myself.
A weekend away, or a program to help me learn my faith may seem like a sacrifice at first, but this is all part of the example I provide, and while providing the example I take advantage of growing closer to Christ. The example is not a show I put on for my kids; it’s a natural part of growing in friendship with Christ. If you have read my post on “Meditation on Gods Love”
it may clarify the point I am trying to make here.
Again, I understand that sometimes there is a good reason for missing out, but acknowledge that you are missing out. The wonderful gift of “free will” allows us to make this choice. I pray then that you resolve to deal with challenges and look forward to attending future retreats.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The Value of Silent Retreats
What is the value of a silent retreat? I personally feel that this is worth much prayer and contemplation, as I have come to realize that the invitation to attend a silent retreat comes from Christ alone. Christ wants each of us to live in a close friendship with him. He knows, that most of us are busy women, struggling to maintain our daily routines of caring for our family, working and managing our home, while attempting to balance a good prayer life as well.
Once we acknowledge that the invitation comes from Christ, we understand that there will be challenges. Why? Well, lest we forget that Satan doesn’t want us to get closer to Christ, in fact he wants us women to be busy, tired and stressed out, this way we cannot nurture the friendship that Christ is calling us to have with him.
I am not trying to dismiss or minimize some very valid reasons for not attending retreats. However, I sense Christ is asking us, to truly examine our reasons or excuses for not attending. This must be done in a spirit of prayer. While it is true that Satan will provide us with many excuses not to attend, acknowledge that at first glance the excuses will be masked to appear as very valid reasons. I implore you to also recognize that Christ at times allows these challenges, in order to provide us an opportunity to show Him how much we love Him. Saying to us, “What extent are you willing to go to? I died on the cross for you? I am waiting for you, so that I can bring you through to the joy of the resurrection. Come to me.”
At times we put God on the spot. We see obstacles to our availability to attend the retreat and we say to God, “If you really want me to go, get rid of the obstacles for me.” Depending on His will, this may be enough and he would in fact get rid of the obstacles for you, however, I have learned that even though Christ can do it all on his own, he depends on us to do our part. Just like Mark 6:33-44 teaches us, when the disciples approached him and told him of the dilemma, it was late, the people needed to eat and they should send them away, Christ says “ you feed them” then he takes their little food, five loaves of bread and two fish and he multiplies them into enough food for five thousand.
This is what Christ is waiting to do with our little effort to overcome the obstacles preventing us from saying “yes” to Him. I ask you “What extent are you willing to go to?” Can you say “NO” to Christ?
Image: The Feeding of the Five Thousand by Ambrosius Francken the Elder
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