This past weekend, there was a men’s retreat going on at my parish. Saturday afternoon, I was dropping something off. I walked back outside and it was so nice outside that I decided to leave my vehicle at the parish and walk home. I knew I’d be back shortly to go the chapel, so I would just walk back then. When I was walking, I thought to myself, “the sun is shining and it’s a beautiful day!” 44 degrees and sunny in February is unusual and it felt almost healing after a winter that has seemed long enough already. And then I realized that yes, the Son is shining, and it’s a beautiful day and a beautiful weekend!
The CEW retreat that was going on was evidence of the Son shining. And after I had this thought, I continued to reflect on this as I spent time in the adoration chapel late Saturday night.
In the main space where the retreat was happening, team members were allowing themselves to be used through their service and commitment, helping candidates and each other have an encounter with Jesus. And in the opposite corner of the building, in a small chapel, Jesus was present and had been since the start of the weekend.
As I sat in the adoration chapel and reflected, this was my prayer- All of this is for you Lord, to allow You to be glorified. Thank you Jesus for being here, for working through each of the team members, for meeting the candidates wherever they’re at, and for drawing each person here closer to yourself. Let them feel You shining in their lives. Holy Spirit, fill each of the men here with the warmth of your love and set their hearts on fire.
This weekend was a beautiful reminder of how the Son shines. Just as we are drawn to and healed by warm sunshine on a February day, when the winter has seemed long, we can have this experience even more so with Jesus. This weekend surely allowed people to be drawn to and healed by the shining of the Son! May each one of us recognize Jesus shining in our lives today and always!
Faith and The Good Stuff 