Sunday Micro Retreat – December 10, 2023
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 recognizing the graces flowing from our baptism
Now read the Sunday's Gospel:
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in the Prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
(Mark 1:1-8)
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 reflecting on the following points:
1.The presence of Holy Spirit in your life
John prophesies about Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit. Reflect on your experiences with the Holy Spirit in your life. How have you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding, comforting, or empowering you?
2.John's humility
John acknowledges his unworthiness in the presence of the coming Messiah. Reflect on the virtue of humility in your own life. How can acknowledging your limitations and shortcomings contribute to a more meaningful relationship with God and others?
3.The wilderness experience
John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, a place of solitude and reflection. How do you connect with the symbolism of the wilderness in your own spiritual journey? What aspects of your life might be considered a metaphorical wilderness, and how can these times be opportunities for growth?
It is good to keep a personal journal where 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.
|
|
|
