Inner Peace in Divine Love Retreat
Week Two – Dwelling in Love
Ex 10 – Action in union with love
Desire
I desire to act in union with love.
Preparation
First I read the prayer texts about unifying love. Then I choose to seek that unity.
In the Eucharist
I focus on the doxology at the end of the Eucharistic prayer. Listening to this ancient prayer, I consider the way divine love flows through Jesus to the Father and Spirit. And if through him, then also through me, with me, and in me.
After communion, I prayerfully watch all the different faces in the Body of Christ as each person walks past me to return to their seat. Through Jesus I am now a part of them and they are a part of me.
I give thanks for the graces of this week and ask myself how I might express my union with him in action.
or
In the World
I go to a town center, marketplace, or city square to pray. I sit there, at this gathering place or crossing place of many roads, and watch the flow of people coming into the center, remaining, and then flowing out. Over this scene I imagine the Body of Christ and that all the people flow through him, with him, and in him. I imagine the love they receive doing so, how Jesus feels giving it, and how I feel to be centered in it.
I give thanks for the graces of this week and ask myself how I might express my gratitude in action.
Prayer Texts
Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, Almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever. Amen.
(Doxology, Catholic Liturgy of the Eucharist,)
Jesus himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
(Col 1:17–20)
No one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, because we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church.
(Eph 5:29–32)
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
(Eph 4:1–6).
Time: As needed
For greater guidance, depth and practical use of this exercise and retreat, source the First Spiritual Exercises here.
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