Embedded Files
an awareness exercise at the end of the retreat
an awareness exercise at the end of the retreat
SETTLING INTO PRAYER: You may want to begin by allowing this music to slow you down and let you settle into silence.
scripture
scripture
Ephesians 1:17-19
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength
As you place yourself in God’s presence, pray for this grace, namely, a deepening appreciation of how God Father, Jesus and Hoy Spirit (Triune God) has been working in you, especially in this past few days of prayer and reflection.
1. did i experience interior movements during these days? some examples may help
1. did i experience interior movements during these days? some examples may help
a. From fear and anxiety to “I’ll give it a try”; to desire to let go in prayer, to trusting;
b. Fear of my sinfulness and weakness, through discouragement, to acceptance of my sinfulness and weakness;
c. Moments of peace, of joy, of struggle, a movement from a sense of helplessness or meaninglessness to a movement of hope and meaningfulness;
d. From confusion to enlightenment;
e. Temptation…to fear…to peaceful trust;
f. From less desire to pray…to greater desire to pray
2. in what ways did your appreciation of prayer change?
2. in what ways did your appreciation of prayer change?
3. what key graces did you receive during these days? perhaps the following phrases might help you reflect on this strength awareness of my helplessness deeper sorrow acceptance of my sinfullness experience of my own weakness, learning to talk from the heart, greater self-acceptance, etc.
3. what key graces did you receive during these days? perhaps the following phrases might help you reflect on this strength awareness of my helplessness deeper sorrow acceptance of my sinfullness experience of my own weakness, learning to talk from the heart, greater self-acceptance, etc.
4. what did you learn about yourself and about god?
4. what did you learn about yourself and about god?
ADDITIONAL REFLECTION
The First Principle and Foundation
(St. Ignatius of Loyola, as paraphrased by David L. Fleming, S.J.)
The Goal of our life is to live with God forever.
God, who loves us, gave us life.
Our own response of love allows God’s life
to flow into us without limit.
All the things in this world are gifts from God,
Presented to us so that we can know God more easily
and make a return of love more readily.
As a result, we appreciate and use all these gifts of God
Insofar as they help us to develop as loving persons.
But if any of these gifts become the center of our lives,
They displace God
And so hinder our growth toward our goal.
In everyday life, then, we must hold ourselves in balance
Before all of these created gifts insofar as we have a choice
And are not bound by some obligation.
We should not fix our desires on health or sickness,
Wealth or poverty, success or failure, a long life or a short one.
For everything has the potential of calling forth in us
A deeper response to our life in God.
Our only desire and our one choice should be this:
I want and I choose what better leads
To God’s deepening his life in me.
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