Inner Peace in Divine Love Retreat
Week Three – Love at work
Ex 16 – Action in gratitude of love
Preparation
First I read the prayer texts about grateful love. Then I choose to seek that gratitude.
Desire
I desire to act in gratitude of love.
In the Eucharist
I focus on the Preface at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. It is the great memorial prayer of gratitude, beginning with “It is truly right and just, our duty and salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks.”
With the graces of the past week fresh within me, I lift up my heart to my Lord. With the naming of the gifts I have received this week, I give my Lord and God thanks and praise. And in the “Holy, Holy, Holy” I gladly welcome the God of power and might into my life.
or
In the World
I go to a park or shopping center or sports stadium to contemplate a large number of people, varied in age, culture, and life story. I give thanks that the Trinity has loved everyone here. I take the time to consider how the Father created the universe we live in, and how Jesus lived, died, and rose for everyone in front of me. I look up and see how the Spirit hovers protectively over all of us. I look around me and consider, person by person, for some good time, how each one will be raised from death to eternal life.
In gratitude, I slowly say “Holy, Holy, Holy” over all the people before me.
I give thanks for the graces of this week and ask myself how I might express my gratitude in action.
Prayer Texts
Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.”
(Lk 1:43–53)
Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
(2 Cor 4:15)
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor . . . to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
(Is 61:1–3a)
Time: As needed
For greater guidance, depth and practical use of this exercise and retreat, source the First Spiritual Exercises here.
Your responsible agreement is necessary for printing and use of this exercise:
I agree give the FSE to others without cost.
I agree to use the attribution: First Spiritual Exercises © Michael Hansen Ave Maria Press
I agree to embody the FSE Code of Ethics and the The FSE Golden Rules.
I agree to create a FSE Safety Net before giving the FSE retreats.