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Lenten Recollection and Renewal of Commitment
The 1-day Recollection began with a Liturgy/ Gospel Reading from the Scriptures and was followed by the talk on the topic of “Prayer” facilitated by Fr. Chris based from John 17: 1-6 “After saying this, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said “Father, the hour has come; give glory to your Son, that the Son may give glory to you. You have given him power over all mortals, and you want him to bring eternal life to all you have entrusted to him. For this is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and the One you sent, Jesus Christ.”
. He delved on the importance of prayer in glorifying God and reminded the participants that praying is having a personal dialogue with Him and involves one’s heart and emotions, because in talking with God, one will know what God wants him to do, what His master plan is in their lives. It is also in prayer, that one allows God to communicate with him. Prayer, according to him, should always be based on the Holy Scriptures, so that we do not stray from His path and would always have God’s Word as our guiding light towards eternal life
He also stressed that one’s prayer life is a reflection of his personal relationship with the Lord; it also defines his relationship with his inner self and with others. Hence, prayer should be deep and personal as it manifests one’s bond with his Creator and Savior. There should be openness in one’s heart to listen to God’s message as we continue our journey of life, to be able to understand and work towards an enlightened path.
Prayer is also putting our complete and unwavering trust in God. When one prays, he surrenders himself wholly to the Lord’s loving mercy and judgment. He submits himself to an Almighty power greater than anything else in the world, and he is under God’s grace, and recognizes that it is only through God himself that we will find Salvation and the promise of eternal life. Trusting in the Lord also comes synonymous with letting Him take control of one’s life, making Him one’s master and himself a servant. Therefore, prayer has a very significant role in an individual’s spiritual growth and maturity, and should be given importance in one’s daily life. One should pray without ceasing, and do so with all his faith and surrendering.
. He delved on the importance of prayer in glorifying God and reminded the participants that praying is having a personal dialogue with Him and involves one’s heart and emotions, because in talking with God, one will know what God wants him to do, what His master plan is in their lives. It is also in prayer, that one allows God to communicate with him. Prayer, according to him, should always be based on the Holy Scriptures, so that we do not stray from His path and would always have God’s Word as our guiding light towards eternal life
He also stressed that one’s prayer life is a reflection of his personal relationship with the Lord; it also defines his relationship with his inner self and with others. Hence, prayer should be deep and personal as it manifests one’s bond with his Creator and Savior. There should be openness in one’s heart to listen to God’s message as we continue our journey of life, to be able to understand and work towards an enlightened path.
Prayer is also putting our complete and unwavering trust in God. When one prays, he surrenders himself wholly to the Lord’s loving mercy and judgment. He submits himself to an Almighty power greater than anything else in the world, and he is under God’s grace, and recognizes that it is only through God himself that we will find Salvation and the promise of eternal life. Trusting in the Lord also comes synonymous with letting Him take control of one’s life, making Him one’s master and himself a servant. Therefore, prayer has a very significant role in an individual’s spiritual growth and maturity, and should be given importance in one’s daily life. One should pray without ceasing, and do so with all his faith and surrendering.
After the input given by Fr. Chris, the participants were given time for silent reflection so that they could make a personal assessment of their individual prayer life. The participants also had their confession in preparation for the upcoming season of Lent which is a very important event. There was also a sharing where the participants talked about their realizations and reactions to the discussion and related how they could incorporate their reflections in their lives.
After the meaningful recollection, the Lay members; Gaudiosa Castro, Anna Esguerra, Josefina Flores, Cherrylene Girado, Luela Villagarcia and Ma. Cecilia Rosadino renewed their vow of commitment for another year of apostolic work as a Lay Salvatorian following the Spirituality and Charism of their founder Fr. Francis Jordan. To live a Salvatorian life is to love and serve the Lord, our Savior.
A simple meal was shared by everyone after the ceremony.