The Fire
by Dolores Wavinya - Social Communication Department
After the one-week’s directed retreat here in the parish which attracted nearly 200 people last month, ten among them decided to make a three months’ retreat. Each of the ten participants has committed himself or herself to do a meditation each day for a period of half an hour and then meet with their spiritual guide once a week to reflect on their experience. Each will keep a journal of their daily feelings and response during those moments of prayer.
Week one is about love and forgiveness. How love changes everything and God’s forgiving love. (Romans 5:6-11; Luke 15:11-32; Ezekiel 34:11-16; Psalm 103; Matthew 26:69-75; John 21:15-19; Psalm 145)
After every four weeks, the whole group will meet together on a Saturday with the spiritual director and the guides to share and respond to their experiences.
Suggestions for reflection and activity (first week):
- A prayer written by an unknown prisoner and found beside the body of a dead child in Ravensbruck concentration camp. “O God, remember not only the men and women of good will but also those of ill will. But do not remember all the suffering they have inflicted on us. Remember the fruits we have brought thanks to this suffering: our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart that has grown out of all this. And when they come to judgment, let all the fruits which we have borne be their forgiveness.”
- Reflections on being forgiven. How do you feel about the forgiveness of yourself by God, by others and by yourself?
- Reflections on forgiving others. How do you feel about forgiveness of others?
- Is there a member of your family, a friend, neighbor who you ‘fell out with’ in the past and the rift has continued?
The fire which Easter lit in our hearts is still burning as we continue enjoying in its warmth. We also commit the participants to the protection of ever Virgin Mary, the fountain of reconciliation.