Sunday Micro Retreat – May 21, 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 being able to follow Jesus's commands
Now read the Sunday's Gospel:
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.
And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 18:16-20)
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 point:
I am with you always, to the end of the age
Today is a good day to ask yourself what it means to you that Jesus is always with you. What is your definition of heaven? Is it a faraway place/location? or is it a reality that you can experience in this life? St. Elizabeth of the Trinity said that God is in her heart; therefore, heaven is in her heart. Can you relate to this passage? Is Jesus in your heart? How close is your relationship?
Once Jesus ascended into heaven, he was no longer physically present among his disciples. However, that meant that now, in the spiritual realm, he is accessible to everyone. He is sacramentally present in the Eucharist. Thus, reflect on the moment(s) when you receive Eucharistic Jesus. What can you say about those times? How aware are you of the closeness of Jesus to you? How aware are you of what is happening at that moment?
You may end this retreat by visiting an Adoration Chapel and staying with the Eucharistic Jesus for a while.
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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