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What did we do?
There were grumblings from
people, especially older generation. They became agitated, lost their mood, and became discouraged. However, some of our more sober members came back to their senses and very quickly came out with an alternate plan.
The program for retreat was very specific. The mass was time for disciples to be sent forth, to make disciples of all nations. It was planned to be last event. We were now required to attend mass before we could finish other parts of retreat. Obviously, this would upset whole plan.
All facilitators voiced out their concerns during our meeting that dragged on until wee hours of morning. Finally we came out with an idea for a community meal where we can still be sent forth by attending priest. Some parts of program were rescheduled.
The mass started at 8:00 a.m. All participants for retreat occupied North wing of church.
What happened during mass made me completely speechless!
All hymns and their messages, from beginning to end of mass, were totally in line with what we had wanted participants to experience.
The 1st reading was Is 49:3, 5-6. It talks about being Light to Nations and being appointed to be a servant to bring back His people. "Because of you, people will praise me."
The psalms, Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10, talks about He making me secure when I trust in Lord, and willingness to do God's will; "Here I am, and how I love to do Your will" and not keeping news of Salvation to myself but sharing with others.
The 2nd reading, Cor 1:1-3, talks about being called to be God's holy people.
And finally, Gospel was Jn 1:29-34, that talks about baptism of Jesus by John Baptist.
In homily, priest stated very clearly that readings were about discipleship. He explained that St. John Baptist, being such a well-known person would humble himself and was able to accept being placed in a lower position when Jesus Christ came.
What an announcement! Here we were trying so hard to bring message to participants and now whole church was reinforcing message we wanted to proclaim. All songs were sung to reinforce message and it was sung by whole church congregation, and choir complete with music, visuals and all!
Each time priest mentioned about discipleship, we sitting at pews would nod our heads and smile to each other. Tears came upon some of us, realizing how God's ways are so different from our ways, and that He will provide more and accomplish more than what we can do by our own efforts.
On reflecting on whole sequence of events that took place, it dawn upon me that one of things mentioned in priest's homily was obedience - it was one of marks of discipleship. Was he trying to test our spirit? If he did, I think we had passed test by submitting to his authority and not opposing him.
When mass was over, we came out of it in awe. God has provided more than what we had hoped for.
The book of Proverbs from Bible provides wisdom on right living. Our compilation of "50 Secrets of Truth and Life" might help bring people to study scripture. Done in pictorial form it is a lighthearted way of looking at Bible Proverbs. Perhaps that might just open up people's hearts...
Many years of involvement in Engineering and Discipleship has given the author material for writing e-books and articles related to engineering, management, and right living. He has also produced an ebook on "50 Secrets of Truth and Life" that is fully illustrated with cartoons in a humorous way.
