Lent E Retreat

“By contrition we are made clean; by compassion, ready; and by a genuine longing for God, worthy.  It is by means of these three that souls can attain heaven, as I understand it.  By these medicines it is necessary for every soul to be healed.  Though healed, the soul’s wounds are still seen by God, not as wounds, but as honorable scars.”

Julian of Norwich, Fourteenth Century mystic

Lent is a time when the Christian community is invited to focus on our need to, as Julian puts it, be “made clean”.  This has a different meaning for all of us. 

v  Addicts in recovery talk about the time they’ve been drug-free as the time they’ve been “clean”.

v  In the 51^st Psalm, the author asks God, “make me clean” as he reflects on his own sin and need for forgiveness.

v  A friend of mine who is a psychologist talks about a healthy interaction between people as being “clean”.

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ulian talks about being made clean by God through contrition – an acknowledgment, in humility, of our need for forgiveness.   Fundamental to contrition is humility, which is really a seeking for right relationship with God, neighbor and the presence of God within.  Flowing from this gift comes compassion and a desire or longing for God.

Perhaps today would be a good day to read Psalm 51, along with the words from Julian noted above.  Then, we might ask ourselves these questions:

v  Where do I feel called to express contrition in my life? 

v  Who in my life stands out as an example of someone who has the virtue of humility? Where and how do I see humility in my own life?

v  Am I compassionate?  Where is God calling me to exercise compassion at this time in my life?

v  What does it mean to me to “long for God”?  How do I experience that longing?  What, if anything, can get in the way of that longing?

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.

Lent E Retreat

Psalm 19

“The Law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul;

The decree of the Lord is trustworthy;

Giving wisdom to the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

The command of the Lord is clean, enlightening the eye;

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever;

The ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just;

They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold,

Sweeter also than honey, honey from the comb.

Though your servant is careful of them, very diligent in keeping them,

Yet who can detect failings?

Cleanse me from my secret faults!

From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant; let it not rule over me.

Then shall I be blameless and innocent of serious sin.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart find favor before you,

O Lord my rock and redeemer.”

(Translation:  New American Bible, Revised Standard Version)

For Reflection:

·         Jesus states that the law of God can be summarized as, “Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength, and your neighbor as yourself.”  How do I seek to center my life on this law?

·         The psalmist writes that following God’s law gives wisdom to the simple.   How do you define wisdom?  Who do you know who is wise?

·         The psalmist prays, “Cleanse me from my secret sins.”  How often do we carry resentments, disappointment, judgments about others, and our own brokenness inside of us, not acknowledging these areas that call out for healing and conversion?  As I enter the season of Lent, what might the “secret faults” in my life that call out for God’s healing love?  With whom can I share this part of my life?

·         How has my relationship with God been, in the words of the psalmist, refreshing to my soul, a source of wealth and sweetness and comfort?   For whom and for what am I grateful today?

Here is a recent picture of my dog Frank and me - taken during our family get-together just after Christmas.  It's a real blessing to share life with a canine friend - the unconditional love, the enthusiasm for playing and enjoying creation, and the sheer enjoyment of being with others and a nice pat on the back are all little glimpses into the love of God.  If God is reflected in all the beauty and goodness of creation, then the creatures we share life with can also help us to see that divine presence... but that's just on Padre's thought on the matter!