Retreat
Retreat
In Ephesians 6:12 Paul describes the spiritual life as a struggle “not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” The early church and desert fathers paid close attention to the dangerous battle for the soul. John Cassian writes at the end of the fourth century in his Conferences 6:
But you must know that our battles are not all fought in the same order, because, as we mentioned that the attacks are not always made on us in the same way, each one of us ought also to begin the battle with due regard to the character of the attack which is especially made on him so that one man will have to fight his first battle against the fault which stands third on the list, another against that which is fourth or fifth.
Historically one way Christians persevered in the battle was to regularly retreat from the front lines of attack and spend solitary time with God. Times of retreat brought perspective to the mind while strengthening and nourishing the soul. Without retreat, followers of Jesus tired and became ineffective in the struggle. They needed to be alone with God and apart from others if they wanted to reengage the battle on different ground.
The tradition of retreating was still in good stead in the fifteenth century. At that time Europe had thirteen hundred Franciscan hermitages. But as the modern era has gained speed the habit of retreating has fallen out of the practice of many believers.
Rather than going on retreats that slow us down to listen and focus on God alone, we go on “retreats” filled with lectures, late nights, constant activity and interaction with all kinds of people. This sort of retreating is not a bad thing. It is simply not a retreat from the busyness and distractions of life. It is not time set apart with God alone.
Retreating, in the traditional sense, is not about gaining more information. It is not getting away to get things done. It is not a way to catch up on our reading or e-mail. Retreats are ways we pull back from the battle and rest. We take naps and go to bed early. In the presence of the holy One we enter into the silence and solitude and rest in God. Resting gives us the energy it takes to build our relationship with God one on one. When we are rested, we listen better. When we are rested, we notice desires as well as lies buried in our souls.
We may feel that nothing really big or noteworthy happened on our retreat. The benefits of retreating often are not seen until we engage the battle again. Go away and trust God with what happens in your soul.
Retreat centers can be found in all parts of the country. Some retreat centers offer spiritual direction to their guests. If you would like the guidance of a spiritual director, check out this possibility while you are on retreat.
Reflection Questions
- What makes it difficult for you to get away with God?
- Can you describe your desire to get away alone with God?
What is your soul aching for?
- When you go on retreat, what do you tend to do?
- How does simply being with God sound to you?
- How do doing and being fit together in your spiritual journey?
- How might retreating with God address some dangers that surround your soul?
Spiritual Exercises
- Find a retreat center near you and spend a day away with God. (Check the Web or Yellow Pages. Call a Catholic church and ask where they go on retreat.) Take a Bible and no other reading material. Take a journal along if journaling appeals to you. Enter the quietness. Rest into God. Sleep. Attend to Scripture. Do not hurry. Listen.
- If you don’t want to go to a retreat center, plan a day outside or in some other quiet setting where you can spend time with the Lord. Take only your Bible with you. • When your day is over, bring some small memento (a rock, a twig, a photograph) of your time with God. Let your retreat object remind you of your time with God.
- Once a month or once a season set aside a day for retreat. Reflect on how you have seen God’s presence in your life since your last retreat. How has God been with you? • How have you grown to love him? • Has God nudged you into some particular discussion about this time?
- Celebrate your birthday by making a retreat. Spend some quality time with the God who made you and called you into being alive right now. • What is it like for you to know your time here on earth was appointed? That you are here with a purpose and a mission? • Listen; what is God telling you about your life and your calling for the next year?
- As you become comfortable with silent retreats, consider taking an extended silent retreat. Many retreat centers are set up to have guests for eight- to forty-day retreats.
Resources on Retreat
A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants by Reuben P. Job and Norman Shawchuck
Quiet Places or Still Waters by Jane Rubietta
“Make ready for the Christ, whose smile—like lightning—sets free the song of everlasting glory that now sleeps, in your paper flesh—like dynamite.” —Thomas Merton
“Genuine spiritual disciplines are disciplines that intrude into our lives at points where we are in bondage to something that garbles, debases, and distorts the word God speaks us forth to be.” —M. Robert Mulholland
Self-Care
DESIRE | to value myself as my heavenly Father values me |
DEFINITION | Self-care honors God through nurturing and protecting the body, mind and spirit with their limits and desires. |
SCRIPTURE | “I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation!” (Psalm 139:14 The Message) “You realize, don’t you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 The Message) “ ‘So love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And . . . ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.” (Mark 12:30-31 The Message) |
PRACTICE INCLUDES |
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GOD-GIVEN FRUIT |
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