Lenten Retreat: Week Seven

Theme: "Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness." [Psalm 103: 8] 

Grace: To know the person who loves me unto death; that my knowledge, love, and imitation of him may deepen.

The prayer material for each day of this week is listed below.  

Day One: Monday, April 11 

Prayer Material:  Matthew 18: 21-35

Reflection: "One of the twelve whose name was Judas Iscariot went off to the chief priests and said: 'What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?' They paid him thirty pieces of silver and he kept looking for an opportunity to hand him over." [Matthew 26: 14-15]

By the way He treated Judas, Jesus shows us how to forgive anyone who hurts us. This way of loving makes possible the restoration of damaged relationships and can bring about a stronger community through reconciliation. Many families who experience hurt, anger, and silence need a great deal of personal forgiveness to re-establish a stronger family!

Additional Prayer Reference

 1 Peter: 5: 5-11  

Day Two: Tuesday, April 12   

Prayer Material:  John 15: 1-16

Reflection:  It has been suggested that chapter 15 is one of the theological jewels of John's gospel.  God continues to draw each of us into a deeper union and communion, in friendship and companionship with Jesus Christ.  It is a calling to live a more personal faith, trust, and love life. This entry into the Paschal Mystery of the Lord's death & resurrection calls for purification, cleansing, pruning, and emptying out in order to be filled more and more with the life, love, and holiness of God.  This is what the Spirit of God does in us. As Paul put it, the work that God began in us God will bring to completion. The initiative is always from God - grace helps us to receive and respond. "Apart from me you can do nothing" says the Lord.

It might be helpful here to read some notes taken from the book Inner Compass by Margaret Silf, an insightful author who has written extensively on Ignatian spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises. If you wish to read these notes, please click here.

Additional Prayer Reference

 John 8: 21-30  

Day Three: Wednesday, April 13 

Prayer Material:  John 6: 22-40

Reflection: Jesus calls himself the "Bread of Life." Since bread is part of the basic diet of nearly every culture, Jesus is letting us know he is the food for our spiritual life.  Jesus shares himself with all people who are willing to believe.  Central to our Catholic faith is the belief that Jesus is really present with us and nourishes us when we gather to celebrate the Eucharist.  The bread and wine is changed into the real body and blood of Christ. Early followers of Jesus were troubled when he taught them that they must eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to have life.  Some are still troubled by His words that are food for the soul.  Because of His words many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve "do you also wish to go away?"

What qualities of heart do you bring to the Eucharist?

Before you begin Holy Week prayer you may want to check out some observations by Margaret Silf, the author of Inner Compass, that pertain to intimacy with God.  If so, please click here.  

 Additional Prayer Reference

 Luke 22: 31-34  

Day Four: Thursday, April 14  

Prayer Material:  Matthew 26: 26-35 

Reflection: One of the great themes of the Old Testament is covenant. It is used to express the special relationship between God and the people of Israel .  Worship practices in the Old Testament were signs of this special relationship.  At the last Supper Jesus established a New Covenant - one sealed with his blood, his very life.  The Paschal Mystery - Jesus' life, death, and Resurrection - establishes the New Covenant and fulfills the Old.  Through Baptism we enter this new and eternal Covenant. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to live the New Covenant. The Eucharist is the great gift that celebrates the death and resurrection of the Lord [Sacrifice] and becomes the food to nourish our relationship with the Lord [Sacrament]. "Do this in remembrance of Me!"  Don't forget how much I love you is what Jesus asks of us.

If you wish to read a simple story about "Meeting God," then please click here.

Additional Prayer Reference

I Corinthians 11: 23-26

Day 5: Friday, April 15 

Prayer Material:  Mark 14: 1-10 & 27-31

Reflection: Peter was probably one of Jesus' best friends.  As told in the story of Mark's Gospel, Peter's relationship with Jesus had some shaky moments.  Peter, like so many of us, had good intentions but could not always follow through with good behavior.  Yet Jesus did not give up on Peter.  "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" is how Jesus would see it.  With Holy Week nearing, Jesus might well ask us "can I count on you to be with Me?"

You might be interested in reading a set of blessings from God, as imagined by Margaret Silf in her book Inner Compass. They are food for thought at any time during a retreat. If you are interested in reading more, please click here.

   Day Six: Saturday, April 16   

Prayer Material: John 13: 1-18

Reflection:  Jesus said "for I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you."  In a similar vein, he also told us "you are my friends if you do what I command you." God's life in us helps us overcome prejudices, promote reconciliation, and foster peace and unity. Love helps us find joy and hope in the midst of pain and suffering. Christ did not end suffering but showed us how suffering for those we love can bring new life to them. Why did Jesus choose to wash feet as an example for us?

This might be a good time to read up on Spiritual Maturity.  If you wish to do so, please click here.

 Additional Prayer Reference

John 11: 45-57

"I put myself before Jesus Christ our Lord, present before me on the cross.  I talk to him about how he creates because he loves; then he is born one like us out of love, so emptying himself as to pass from eternal life to death here in time, even death on a cross.  By his response of love for God his Father, he dies for my sins.

I look to myself and ask - just letting the questions penetrate my being - (1) In the past, what response have I made to Christ?  (2) How do I respond to Christ now?  (3) What response should I make to Christ?

As I look upon Jesus as he hangs upon the cross, I ponder whatever God may bring to my attention.  I then close with an Our Father."

~St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, #53

Week 7: Prayer Links

Please click upon the links below for useful materials to enhance your prayer:

Inner Compass

Notes about faith from

an insightful book on spirituality

Meeting God

 A short, simple, surprising story

about finding God in other people

Blessings from God

The voice of Yahweh speaking to you

as imagined by author Margaret Silf

Intimacy with God

Notes about relationship taken from

an insightful book on spirituality

Spiritual Maturity

Some notes and thoughts

Examen of Consciousness

A daily way to pray about one's day 

How to Begin Prayer

St. Ignatius recommends that the prayer period begin by 1) having a specific time/place for my prayer; 2) calling to mind that I am in God's presence and that the Lord wants to listen and converse with me; and 3) praying for a generous spirit during my prayer period.

His prayer for generosity is:

Lord, teach me to be generous,

teach me to serve you

as you deserve,

to give and not

to count the cost,

to fight and not

to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labor and not

to ask for any reward,

except to know it is

your will I am doing.

Week in Review

How did your prayer go this week? 

Did you experience any consolation moments of peace or gratitude? Did you find it hard or easy to pray?

Did the love of God come clearer to you? Any consolation of being loved as I am?   

God is always "working" in the life of each person. Do you find this to be true in your life? How?

  Jesus, I feel within me

a great desire to please you

but, at the same time,

I feel totally incapable

of doing this without

your special light and help,

which I can expect only

from you.

Accomplish your will in me -

even in spite of me.

~St. Claude la Colombiere, S.J.