February 13, 14 & 15, 2009
Antiochian Village Retreat Center
During the Strength for the Journey retreat we discussed how God uses scripture as spiritual breadcrumbs to help us along our Journey. We focused on the following six breadcrumbs at morning and night prayer.
Speak Lord, I’m Listening…
1 Samuel 3:9 recounts the story of Samuel first hearing God calling to him. At first Samuel is confused by the voice he hears in his sleep and thinks it is his father Eli, so Samuel goes to his father and asks what he wants from him. Upon the third time this happens Eli realizes who is calling his son and tells him the next time he should reply “speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
In our own lives we need to take time to listen, to hear God’s voice and to answer his call. At times we need to find a quiet place, reflect, pray and simply listen… and when we do hear the Lord we should respond “speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
Look for Jesus in your daily life…
In Luke 24 we read about two men who are traveling to the town of Emmaus, along their journey a third man joins them. They talk along their way and when they reach their destination they invite the third man to join them for the evening. Reclined at the table the third man takes bread, breaks it and gives thanks, it is at that point that they realize the third man is Jesus. Filled with the spirit and moved by His words, Jesus disappears before their eyes.
How often in our own lives do we feel we are all alone? Walking from class to class, or diving to work – we feel as though there is nobody there to talk to, nobody to listen. However, just as Jesus joined these two men on their Journey he is present on our Journey, constantly giving us strength and encouragement. In the beautiful Christian poem “Footprints in the Sand” this is illustrated for us. Even when we are at our lowest point Jesus is there with us!
Whatsoever you do to the least of My people…
Jesus tells those listening in Matthew 25 that whatever they do for the least of His people that they do to Him. This passage shows us our calling as Christians to live a socially just life. Compounded with Jesus’ example of the washing of feet we see that we are obligated to humble service.
Humber Christian Service is thought of many times as helping the poor, the needy, and the less fortunate of our world. But what about the outcasts in our school, the unpopular kid in Algebra, or that girl that just doesn’t seem to fit in your Science class? We are called to treat all of these people with dignity and compassion.
Love God with all your heart…
Our final three bread crumbs all come from the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25). In the beginning of this parable we are reminded that we should love God with all our hearts and as simple of a reminder as it is it is worth saying.
At times we can fall in love with out possessions we want a new pair of jeans, designer handbags or expensive shoes – we hope, we beg and we wish for these things until we are able to obtain them. The next time we think to ourselves “I love those shoes!” perhaps we should remember the things we should really love, like God!
Take action to help others…
In this parable the first two men, one a priest and the other a Levite, passed by the man that had been beaten and robbed. It was only the Samaritan (a native of Samaria and a race which was despised by biblical Jews) that stopped to help the man. It seems that Jesus uses these three characters to show us the importance of actions rather than simple religious piety. Therefore our words (spoken in church) need to be followed by our actions (done for the wellbeing of others).
They will know we are Christians by our Love…
Finally, as we left the retreat we were given our last breadcrumb. This one is based not only on the Good Samaritan as Jesus was pointing out that He expected more from His people but also from the hymn “They’ll know we are Christians”.
Again it is our actions that should speak loudest. The song states that “They will know we are Christians, by our love, by our love, yes they will know we are Christians by our love.” In a similar fashion St. Francis is credited with having said “Preach the Gospel at all time, when necessary use words.”
Even though our retreat has come to a close we should use these breadcrumbs to show the world who we are and what we believe!
May God bless you and give you His peace!
