Conversion of the Heart...the essence of a retreat

Wew! The past few days were too exhausting for me. I’m a busy buzz…too tired because of work in the office and at home plus those superfluous things inside my mind that I cannot help but…hay! I wanted to freak out…shout as in…ahhhhhhhhhh…and the biggest headache of all is WEW! GMA, corruption, struggle for power and economic crisis. Although it’s not something new to us, still it is something to think about. It does not concern only ME…but also YOU! Haaay (again!).
====================================================================

I thought I would have the time to meditate and have my mind rested even for some time. The office had its annual retreat for the employees, but I wasn’t able to take the opportunity to be with them in solitude. I was asked by my director to stay in the office (of course I cannot say NO!) because the need to attend to media inquiries might arise and most probably we have to give media assistance. We have to monitor what is happening around and what is about to happen (because of the present crisis we are facing right now). We also need to wait for any statement coming from the Church. And above all I need to update and upload materials for the website of the Archdiocese of Manila (and it all happened).
===============================================================

Some of my officemates (I mean almost!) said that the retreat was good. They really were in solitude! Did I miss the chance? I cannot answer. Maybe if I see great changes from them, then, I can say that I miss the opportunity. But if they are still the same people I use to know, then I conclude that the essence of the retreat did not sink in their lives. The Holy Spirit did not work in them nor should I say Jesus wasn’t able to enter their hearts.

When do you say that the retreat served its purpose?

A retreat for me is not just a moment of silence, meditation or solitude. It is a time spent with God alone. A retreat is a moment to talk with Him, to give praise and glory, ask for forgiveness and seek petition or help. It is a moment of prayer. It doesn’t matter how good or boring the retreat master is…what matters is that, the things taught, shared and shown during the retreat gave new hope to start living your life according to His will and brought positive changes within yourself and created harmonious relationship with other people. The retreat master is actually Jesus Christ. Whatever the retreat master is saying is what Jesus Christ is actually saying to you. Believe it!

The retreat cleanses the soul. It deepens our faith. It brings changes, making us a better person. It is a renewal. And these things make a retreat very significant (and substantial as well). The retreat does not stop after 2 or 3 days. It goes on and on as long as we apply everything we learned and we keep in mind and heart the things that contributed to the shaping of our attitude and nurturing of our faith.

The Conversion of the Heart

This is the most valuable thing that happens during and after the retreat. The retreat does not serve its purpose if there is no conversion of the heart. The change should first start from us. Let us not go back to our old ways. Let us not stop growing. Conversion of the heart happens if we learn to forgive others despite the pain they caused us. Conversion of the heart is taking away anger and pride from our hearts and let love overflow from within. Conversion of the heart is not rearing envy and jealousy. It will not do any good to you. Conversion of the heart is not blaming others because of your suffering and failures. Rather it is counting your blessings. Conversion of the heart is loving one another and always praying for each other. Conversion of the heart is always keeping Jesus in our mind, heart and life.


can also be viewed at www.jhengmprado.blogs.friendster.com/jheng