Lent E-Retreat

Then Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.  After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.  When it was evening he was there alone.  Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.  During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea.  When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.  “It is a ghost, “t they said, and they cried out in fear.  At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”  Peter said to him in reply, “Lord if it you, command me to come to you on the water.”  Jesus said, “Come.” Peter got out of h boat and began to walk on the water towards Jesus.  But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why do you doubt?”  After they got into the boat, the wind died down.  Those in the boat did him homage saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”                                                  Matthew 14:22-33

v  This story about Peter trusting Jesus’ call to leave the boat and walk on the water with him is one that is repeated in all four gospels.  Clearly this story is an important one in the life of early Christianity.  Peter, the “rock”, the leader of the apostles, is shown, once again, filled with faith and his own humanity.  Challenging Jesus (“if it’s really you  let me get out of the boat and come to you!”), he gingerly steps out in faith… only to realize that, having stepped out in faith there’s nothing left to support him and in that moment of fear and he begins to sink, to founder, and he cries out for help.

v  One of the wonderful aspects of many of the stories that feature Peter is that they are our stories, too.  How often have we found ourselves about to figuratively leave the comfort and security of the boat to walk out on the waves?  Preparing for marriage, the birth of a child, taking a new position, joining a new organization, seeking to offer ourselves in service to others, becoming part of a new faith community, seeking the grace of God to leave the comfort or familiarity of ways of coping, responding to others, disagreeing, or hanging on to past hurts and resentments.  Into all of those times and situations, we can perhaps discern the beckoning, outstretched hand of Christ saying, “Take courage; it is I; do not be afraid.” 

v  Lent is a time of new beginnings and growing in trust and faith.  Where and how has God invited you to get beyond the safe, the familiar, the comfortable, in order to grow and be made new in Christ?  Have you ever found yourself “sinking” and calling out “Lord, save me!”?  What happened?

v  Take some quiet time.   How might Jesus be inviting you today to leave what is comfortable and familiar and to walk forward in faith and trust? 

Lent E-Retreat

And someone came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" And He said to him, "Why are you asking me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."

Then he said to Him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?"

Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."  But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.

And Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?" And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Matthew 19:16-26 (New American Standard Bible)

v  It never fails to intrigue me that among folks who choose to interpret the Bible literally, or who claim to follow “nothing but the unadulterated Word of God”, very few seem to take this passage literally! 

v  I challenge us to accept the challenge offered by Christ in this passage. Take some time and read the passage above slowly and put yourself in the place of the young man in the story.  He walked away because he was so attached to his wealth that he couldn’t imagine letting go of it to more freely follow God.  Allow yourself to stand in the presence of Jesus, and ask him, “What must I do to follow you more closely?”  Let Jesus speak to your heart and tell you what you are too dependent on, what you must be free from in order to become more dependent on Christ Jesus.  For most of us, it’s wealth and material possessions.  It can also be what we’re addicted to or less tangible things like a need to be right, to win at all costs, or to have our every need or want gratified. Will you accept the invitation of Jesus to let go what you cling to, or will you walk away?

v  Spend some quiet time with God.  In your mind or on a piece of paper, write down who or what you cling to in ways that may not be good or life-giving.  Pray about these attachments.  Ask for the grace to let go of whatever it is that may be keeping you from loving God, neighbor and yourself in greater freedom and truth.