Consumed by the Love of God
Women’s Session – Sr. M. Karolyn Nunes, FSGM
Sr. M. Karolyn started women’s session with the statement, “Sometimes we fight battles we’re not meant to fight.” She continued on to explain that so many battles in our lives are not ours, but His. They are not ours to “figure out, fix, or fight.” And yet it is important to go to battle with Him.
Sister continued on to explain the effects of the fall: darkened intellect, weakened will, and disordered passions. It can be difficult to choose the good because of these effects. We need a renewal of our minds. “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, pleasing, and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) God wants to consume us with His perfect love, to bring us into true freedom. He can enlighten us with His wisdom, strengthen our will through the Holy Spirit, and order our passions correctly.
Finally, He wants to give us rest and freedom, something we can struggle to receive. He wants us to live our true identity as his daughter who is free and delighted in.
Men’s Session – Tim Jara
As men, we carry a question, “Do I have what it takes?” Often, we can base our worth on our performance and the things we are capable of doing. But what happens when that’s taken away? Through a gymnastics accident and the subsequent discovery of multiple back injuries, Tim had to learn what it meant to live without his identity as a gymnast. He explained the importance of truly internalizing the scripture, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.”” (Luke 3:22) Our worth isn’t based on what we can do or how we are labeled, but on how the Father sees us and loves us. Tim said that “If we don’t know the truth about who we are, we’ll buy the lies that hold us back.”
Next, Tim spoke of his first retreat experience, his first time hearing of a God who loves us completely, of reconciliation that offers freedom through His mercy, and of the real presence of Jesus in Eucharistic adoration. He gave the men a list of challenges:
- Move without motivation.
- Put down your phone and pray.
- Consume Jesus in Scripture and in the Eucharist.
Each session ended with the litany of all-consuming love and a time of adoration. God speaks to us in prayer.
What part of the litany does God want you to focus on?
Watch the men’s and women’s sessions on our livestream.
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