August 23, 2013

Retreat ... Day 4

Having a great retreat ... thanks for your prayer. Let's keep praying for each other.

This Sunday I'll wrap up week three of the series: "Storms". Week 1 (Sunday, August 11) we talked about what to do when you really need God but can't "see" Him in your midst. Week 2 (Sunday, August 18) we talked about the "storms" of life and what they teach us. This Sunday, Week 3 (Sunday, August 25), we'll unpack the 2nd Reading from Hebrews and our "trials" in life.

Since Sunday's homily will focus on the 2nd Reading from Hebrews, I would encourage you to practice the art of Lectio Divina and pray with Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13. You can click here for the reading.

First: read the text slowly. Pay attention to the words, the context. Secondly: read the reading again, a second time ... read it even slower. Pay attention to what word or phrase grabs your attention or tugs at your heart ... or elicits resistance. Finally: read the the word or phrase grabs your attention or tugs at your heart. Read it really slow. Pay attention to your heart. Now ... talk to God about what stirred within. Talk to Him about the word or phrase grabbed your attention or tugged at your heart.

Secondly; consider your response to the "trials" of life. How do you typically respond? Do you get angry? Do you get focused? Do you pretend it's not there? How do you typically respond to the trials of life?

Know anybody going through a trial of life? Bring them to any one of Masses this Sunday. And, consider forwarding them the first two homilies from this series. Click here for the homily from Sunday, August 11. Click here for the homily from Sunday, August 18.