Sunday Micro Retreat – November 13, 2022
As you begin your time of reflection, try to realize that you are standing on holy ground and in the presence of God who wants to talk to you and listen to you.
Make the Sign of the Cross. The Holy Spirit is opening your heart and mind so the Word of God that you are about to read can flourish in you for God's glory. Pray that you continue to work with his grace. Let the words or your prayer flow from your mind through your heart. Try to "feel" what you are saying.
Is there anything you would like to ask God now? What graces does your heart desire?
Talk to God about it.
Today, we ask for the grace of peace.
Now read the Sunday's Gospel:
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said,
“As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?”
And Jesus said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.
“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.”
Then Jesus said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places
famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought
before kings and governors because of my name.
“This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom
that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.
“You will be betrayed even by parents, by brothers and sisters, and by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.”
(Luke 21:5-19)
The Word of God touches everyone differently. If there is anything that really stood out for you in this reading, meditate on it. Go to the depths of your heart and listen to what God is trying to say to you.
Next, let's spend some time with a couple of points that you may consider during this Sunday's Retreat:
1. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom...
Until we are in a difficult situation, it is hard to say how we will respond. However, we may be sure that God will provide
the necessary grace for that moment. Someone once said, "The Lord doesn't give "dying grace" until one is dying."
Therefore, reflect on some difficult moments that you have experienced. Think about what you said, how you reacted.
Was your response good? Bad? Did you feel like God was with you right there, guiding you through the challenge?
2. You will be betrayed even by parents, by brothers and sisters, and by relatives and friends
How do you feel about this statement?
In the history of the Church, there were always waves of strong persecution ... millions of Christians have died because of their belief in Jesus Christ.
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to stand up for what you believe in? If yes, how much did it "cost" you? (did you lose a job, a good name, a friend, etc...) How did you cope with the situation?
How was your faith after that event? Stronger or weaker?
How about your encounter with God in those moments? Did you feel like God was with you? or did you feel alone and rejected? Name all of your feelings... the positive and the negative ones... what is happening in your heart at this moment?
You may end this retreat by trying to live out one day during this week as if it were the last day of your life here on earth.
It is good to keep a personal journal in which reflections that stood out for you are recorded. The outcome of those Sunday Micro Retreats is good material that you can talk about in your spiritual direction.
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