PASCHAL RETREAT

The ground must be ready to receive the Word of God and so bear much fruit. Watch against carelessness, hardness of heart that comes from lack of forgiveness and selfishness and the cares of the world. The plan of life will open your mind and heart. The increase in virtues and the living of your spirituality will increase the oil of faith. This will give you the inner sight to recognize the mysteries you dive into.

This journey is not for cowards. Many disciples left Jesus the moment he spoke about the Eucharist. Do not be caught with your own perceptions and your abilities or disabilities. This is a gift and only as a child can you enter this Kingdom of God. The Trinity reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom to those that ask, seek, and knock. Wake up everyday expressing this desire to the Lord. Teach me dear Lord to be little, simple and always believing and trusting.

It is your privilege as a disciple to celebrate the " paschal retreat" every week. Begin on Thursday preparing for mass. Remember what happened during that evening. Do not look at these events as a stranger. Enter into the room and watch, understand, and believe. Go with the disciples as they prepare the upper room. Spend time with Jesus as he prepares for his "hour". Learn from Mary our Mother as she lifts her soul to the Lord. She knows in a very deep way and she hears her son say, "Mother my hour has come."

For disciples of Jesus and Mary these moments are full of intimacy. You desire with your entire being to spend this time with the Lord. Watch Jesus closely as he consecrates the bread and wine. Fill your heart with wonder and praise. Eat His body and drink His blood. Accompany him as he watches the feet of his apostles. Feel his love as he even washes the feet of Judas. Listen to the account of the "Passover". Here at last the fullness is present. Jesus institutes along with the Eucharist the sacred priesthood.

Travel with the Lord and the apostles to the Garden of Olives. Be close to the Lord every moment. Cling to him firmly and let nothing separate you from this togetherness. Understand how Jesus accepts the will of His Father. The agony in the garden is the revelation of the sufferings at different levels. There is the suffering at the physical level. Then there is suffering at the mental, emotional and spiritual levels. What pain the Lord suffers because of us and we watch and pray with him. We want to be close to him in this hour. We see the angels consoling the Lord and we too offer Him our love and affections. Often in these situations we are helpless and so we stand and love and suffer in silence.

Then comes the arrest, the various trials, the insults, scourging, humiliation, and the night in prison. Early in the morning begins the trials once again. Learn from the silence of Jesus as all these accusations are thrown at him. You sense the growing hatred of the people around and you learn from your Master how to walk the way of the cross. You walk with him every step. Place your heart into his heart and learn from his every thought and desire. Let his sufferings strengthen you as you walk with him. The insults continue and the crowds keep jeering. Yet, there are those who truly love him. You visit the Lord with Veronica, our Mother, the women and Simon. With him carry Jesus' cross, with Veronica wipe his face and let that face be imprinted in your soul for eternity. With Mary our Mother look upon Jesus with love.

Then go through the stripping of the garments. Ask Jesus to help you to strip yourself of all worldly desires, ambitions, attachments, addictions, fears, concerns, and honor. Learn from Jesus how to live the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience according to your state of life. Now with Jesus allow yourself to be nailed to the cross. Listen to the words he speaks in forgiveness, welcoming the thief into paradise, and entrusting his mother to the disciple. Lifted high on the cross Jesus draws all peoples to himself. Enter into this channel of grace. Weep with Mary of Magdalene and the others. Look at the heavenly Father who accepts this sacrifice of his beloved Son. Thirst with the Lord for souls. Die with him in his death.

Saturday is a time to pray the psalms. You could also do the "Way of the Cross" or studying the Bible trying to understand why Jesus had to suffer so as to enter into His glory. Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten your heart and mind to understand this great mystery of salvation.

On Sunday rejoice with the Lord. Each Sunday you could take one apparition and meditate on it. Be present when this happens. Allow the Lord to take you to this scene and may His love, peace, and joy lead you during these joyful moments. Together with Thomas put your finger into the marks of his hands. Place gently your hand into the side of the Lord. Touch his heart that you may believe and have life eternal.