Retreat Notes for Day 2
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Retreat Readings
Readings of the day (optional)
Thoughts from Where Your Treasure Is...
 
Where We Are

Reflection: "Who, me? What did I do?" How easily we are taken aback by a compliment, a gift for no occasion, an unexpected kindness. Often we are so caught up in making a living and paying our way that we fall into thinking that affection and affirmation must also be earned. Balance sheets are a part of business, but there is no accounting for true friendship and love.

Sharing: You are invited to look at your own experience, responding to one or another of the following:

  • When have I been touched by someone's unexpected kindness?
  • I looked for the hidden cost when...
  • What prompted me to surprise someone with an expression of affection or appreciation?
  • When has someone's affirmation helped me to believe in myself?
  • I'm still surprised that I'm friends with...

From Our Tradition:

  • from Scripture:
    In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10)
  • from Henri J. M. Nouwen:
    The great message that we have to carry, as ministers of God's word and followers of Jesus, is that God loves us not because of what we do or accomplish, but because God has created and redeemed us in love and has chosen us to proclaim that love is the true source of all human life. (In the Name of Jesus, chapter 1)

Focus:
The good news of the gospel is that God loves us first and loves us unconditionally. God's initiative in love is at the heart of Catholic spirituality. The experience of holy men and women throughout the ages invites us to discover for ourselves this unfathomable love.

Sharing:

  • For me, a difficulty in accepting God's unconditional love is...
  • How has my image of God changed over the years?
  • Someone I know who has helped me realize how much God loves us is...
  • I always felt that I had to earn God's love until...
Reading 1: Psalm 23 (NAB)

The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures you let me graze;
to safe waters you lead me; you restore my strength.
You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name.
Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side;
your rod and staff give me courage.
You set a table before me as my enemies watch;
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

Reading 2: Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NAB)

Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, But stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit.

Reading 3: Matthew 14:22-33 (NAB)

Then [Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”