Welcome to the seventh week of this 9-week Lenten Retreat. Following are prayer materials, reflections, and notes compiled by Fr. Clem Metzger, SJ. to guide your retreat.
May the Holy Spirit inspire your prayer and guide you through this retreat. May your spirituality, centered in Jesus Christ, deepen in faith, hope and love. Thank you for making this retreat.
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 dayof this week is listed below.
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Day One:Monday, March 30
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
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Day Two:Tuesday, March 31
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 & resurrectioncalls 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 The 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
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Day Three:Wednesday, April 1
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 knowhe 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, pleaseclick here.]
Additional Prayer Reference
Luke 22: 31-34
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Day Four:Thursday, April 2
Prayer Material: Matthew 26, 26-35
Reflection:One of the great themes of the Old Testament is covenant
