Thoughts on a Divine Mercy Retreat
Thoughts on a Divine Mercy Retreat
Jesus' attitude is striking: we do not hear the words of scorn, we do not hear words of condemnation, but only words of love, of mercy, which are an invitation to conversation. "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again." Ah! Brothers and Sisters, God's face is the face of a merciful father who is always patient. Have you thought about God's patience, the patience He has with each one of us? That is His mercy. He always has patience, patience with us, He understands us, He waits for us, He does not tire of forgiving us if we are able to return to Him with a contrite heart. "Great is God's mercy," says the Psalm.
— Angelus on March 17, 2013
On the last day of our ‘Divine Mercy’ retreat, we met in a circle for a more informal gathering. I encouraged people to share or to ask questions if they wanted. I then invited everyone to speak, as well as to respond to any inquiries that were brought up. It took a few moments before anyone started off but once it did it was a very powerful experience I believe for all. One point that came up over and over again is that in order to begin their conversion journey, things had to fall apart; facades had to fail before healing could even begin to happen. Painful, yes, but healing and pain seem to go together. Just as bitterness, anger, the desires for revenge are also joined at the hip with pain.
Each person who shared told a story of things falling part, light being brought into their lives and healing and a new peace and joy was found. I brought up the point that each person who spoke, changed because they allowed grace to work in their lives because they had enough humility to embrace the truth and move on from there. Which I believe, is a grace that is freely offered to all of us. To stop cycles and pain and chaos that have a life of their own until we are forced to changed through outer circumstances, or through the amount of pain that comes from our wounds and sins.
Sin is a way to escape life, but it does not deliver, instead, pain increases through the problems that flow from our ‘running away’. Broken marriages, loss of health, serious addictions that can consume us, suck us dry, until there is nothing left. Grace gives life; sin drains the life out of us. So when we crash, it is often a mercy, for it is then that we reevaluate our lives and seek to renew our relationship with the Infinite, that which can only fill our hearts to the depth that we desire.
Compared to the suffering caused by our sins, the cross of Jesus is truly light, for it is life giving and healing and does not crush us. We all seek to be seen to the depths of our being, which is what love is. Only Infinite love can do that, and in that seeing, we learn to embrace life without seeking to run away.
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