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In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
Tuesday 19th
Week OT
Bon Secours Retreat
August 12, 2014
LIFE EXPERIENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Life experiences often bring us face-to-face
with difficult requests, and we wonder whether we will have the courage to
utter “yes”
EZEKIEL’S LIFE EXPERIENCES
+++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
The prophet Ezekiel, who lived in a time of
great international upheaval, encountered such a daunting request when God
called him 2 speak God’s word to a rebellious & hard-hearted people
Ø
Lament, mourning, and woe sum up the message
Ezekiel is commissioned to bring Israel
Ø
A tough assignment since God’s people were
defensive and unwilling to listen
Ø
But God, who lifts us up in times of distress,
stood by Ezekiel and commanded him,
Ø
“Eat this
scroll I am giving to you”
Ø
In savoring sweetness of God’s gracious word, Ez
Is strengthened 2 carry out challenging mission
OUR LIFE EXPERIENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
This same God whose word is alive and active
accompanies us on our daily trek
Ø
God’s voice echoes in the stuff of life as well
as in quiet moments of prayer and reflection
Ø
But do we heed the call?
Ø
The poet Jessica Powers writes: “Oh, hear him within you speaking this
infinite love…
Ø
Lifting
the sky of the soul with the expansions of light?”
Ø
If we are to hear God speaking this extravagant
love that lifts our souls to new heights, we must learn from the prophet
Ezekiel
Ø
We too must savor the word, even when it is
challenging, painful, and risky
Ø
It is in inwardly digesting and integrating the
word in contemplative prayer that it becomes transformative
CONCLUSION
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Question remains: R we attentive, mindful, &
ready 2 discover face of God & discern God’s call?
Ø
If R witness is 2B life giving, it must flow
from a spirituality committed to the agenda of the Gospel and contemplative
prayer time to ingest it!
Ø
Discipleship exerts a painful price
Ø
Do we have the time for Presence with it we gain
the courage to pay the price!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
