As I sit down to write some reflections for this week there
is a group of teenagers outside my door playing cards waiting for their retreat
to begin. I am taken back to my teen years and the gift of a weekend retreat
which awakened me to the bigger community, the Body of Christ in so many new ways
and that my own faith was deepening. Over the course of that weekend I met
people my age; that like me, were asking the same questions about their faith,
that were seeking to know the love of God and were trying to fit into a bigger
picture. That weekend introduced me to the power of community prayer, to the
quiet of personal prayer, to a new joy in the community of believers and the gift
of being who I am as others expressed the gift of who they are. It had a great
impact on me and opened me up to what would become my future ministry as a
Youth Minister and Pastoral Assistant. Now as I reflect back on that retreat so
many years ago it seems in part that it was igniting in me a flame which today
is a fire aglow as I minister as part of a Retreat Team; living at a Retreat
Centre.
As the volume swells and then dissipates in the hallway it
seems to reflect my pattern of life. Ministering as part of a Retreat Team means
that there are times when demands are high: meetings for planning, presentations
being crafted, talks presented, interaction with retreatants and helping with
tasks to keep us functioning are the buzz that fills the day. At other times it
is the moments of prayer, the time to read, the gift of the Eucharist or a long
walk which clears the buzz, calms my pace and awakens me to the still small voice
which called me to this way of life.
I’m often asked: “What does a day look like for you as a
Franciscan Brother?”
My answer is: Living at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre
means that no two days are the same. The only consistent parts are gathering at
the table of prayer and Eucharist and gathering at the meal table. Which means
that “breaking bread” is central to who I am as a Friar. Breaking open scripture
and prayer and gathering at the table of Eucharist with my brothers is the
foundation of keeping us focused on living the gospel here at The Mount. Breaking
bread together at our meal table; whether it is the group of eight of us Friars
or our staff has joined us, allows us to break open the stories of our lives,
our concerns, the concerns of the world, the ministry of retreats and those we
have encountered. This leads us back to the table of prayer.
Each day is different and that is a gift. Each day calls me
to be present and attentive. Each day asks, “Where is Christ in this day?” and “How
have you helped to build the kingdom?” These questions stir and swirl in me. Some
days the answer is quick and ready, other days I need to sit with them. Not
because Christ has not been present rather that it has caused the need to pause
longer, to reflect on my own living out of my vows and to see how I am called
to live the gospel here and now. It amazes me, each and every day I am amazed.
In a world that is busy and demanding, in a world which
tries to rob us of time to be quiet and encounter the depths of who we are, and
even in a schedule which can be demanding for me as a Friar the gift of retreat
still speaks to me. I am awakened to the beating of my heart and how God beats
in this heart of mine. I am awakened to how Christ does walk with me stride by
stride. I am awakened to the breath of the Holy Spirit breathing in me and
whispering truth to me. The gift of retreat for me all those years ago and still
today are God reminding me: I am with you; I am in relationship with you - no matter what. For that I am thankful for each and every day.
How is your heart?
What is stirring in you?
Do you need a retreat?
Can you take time? A retreat in your day? in your week? away
from it all?
We have been given an extra day this year... what's stopping you?
Come and be filled… God’s blessing abound!
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