Meeting 4 — “I Want and I Am Sent”¶
Introduction¶
Note
The meeting is based on Archbishop Ryś’s homily delivered to Permanent Deacons of the Archdiocese of Łódź, Łódź 2018 [https://youtu.be/yu8yJEa17Uc]
Let us begin by sharing what we are experiencing.
Of what happened to me yesterday, what was the most pleasant experience?
What am I grateful for during this time of retreat?
Faith as a Seed¶
What do I take from Archbishop Ryś’s homily for myself?
We do not receive God’s gifts ready-made. We receive them as a certain incredible potential, as an extraordinary opportunity that can develop, that can be multiplied. But it is very important that when we accept God’s gifts, we decide to enter into a very dynamic process. It is not that everything is given immediately in its entirety, but it is given for a certain path, for a longer, actually lifelong, process of cooperation.
—Archbishop Ryś
What in my life is already bearing fruit?
What in my life is now at the stage of intensive growth?
Feed My Sheep!¶
Let us read:
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, “Follow me!”
—Jn 21:15-19
Jesus’s intention in a very clear way is for St. Peter to take care of the faith of his friends. It seems, however, that the condition for receiving this “mission” is making sure that St. Peter has within himself love for Jesus. This “making sure” by Jesus that the persons who will “feed the flock” themselves have a bond of love with the Creator reveals to us the heart of Christ and his desires.
The text has been repeatedly applied in the history of the Church to hierarchs, those responsible for organizing pastoral care of souls. But is there not a universal message in it?
What does hearing the command “feed my sheep” mean to me?
What is difficult for me in taking responsibility for others in the space of spirituality?
“Follow Me!”¶
Let us read:
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
—Mt 4:18-20
The symmetry of events must have struck St. Peter himself. The same words, the same place (!). Three years difference. On Jesus’s side nothing changes—his message is still the same.
What in my experience of God is unchanging?
Where do I want to go in my faith/spirituality? Which direction “is mine”?
What Do I Have? Where Am I Going?¶
The normal method in group meetings is to ask “how does this relate to our life?”. Let us now try not so much to ask about this as to directly relate our retreat to life.
Jesus with St. Peter assure each other of love before the further journey. This assurance of love is needed for them to meet the challenges. In principle, what more do we need than that we love and are loved? And that by God!
Note
We lay out moderation cards on the table so that most of them are visible.
Let us choose several cards that in some way represent the good that I experienced from people in my community
What is this good?
Telling each other about what we experience in our circle is the equivalent of assuring each other of love. This environment of life, however, is “for something”—Jesus clearly says that we should go.
Let us choose several cards that in some way represent the dreams we have. (They can be both very distant in time and such that we hope will be fulfilled in the nearest future)
What are our dreams?
Let us recall the words from the conference:
So what you receive today is a seed, which means it is a great reality that will only grow.
—Archbishop Ryś
Let this not be only romantic and impressive comparisons. Let us help ourselves so that light and life go hand in hand. Let the seed grow!
What can we as participants of this meeting do to help you achieve these dreams?
Prayer¶
If there is enough time, let us pray at the end echoing the word from the history of St. Peter written in our notebooks.
Let us also pray for the intention of all members of our community.
Retreat Application¶
We do not want to impose an application from this meeting on participants. However, if possible, it would be good for everyone to find their own application and share it with the rest of the group.