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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.
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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 & 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 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 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
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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.
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
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Day
5:
Friday, April 3
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.]
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Day
Six:
Saturday, April 4
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
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