THE RETREAT JOURNEY

Meditation for Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

(Hos 6:1-6; Lk 18:9-14)

Let us listen to God's invitation for a retreat. The prophet Hosea announces, “Come, let us return to the Lord…” This return journey is based on the fact that we have realized our wretchedness, then we look up to God for healing and restoration. “After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him.” The prophet invites us to come and increase our knowledge of God, and receive assurance that He will surely come to us just as the spring-rains that water the earth. “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.”

Let us meditate briefly on how the knowledge of God increases knowledge of our selves. That is why the retreat to return to the Lord takes us inwards to a deeper self-understanding. In addition, it is when we discover ourselves in God, and understand ourselves in relation to God, can we truly make progress in conquering our self-limitations, grow in virtue and develop stronger human relationships. However, this retreat journey to God and to self-discovery is humbling. It takes a humble and contrite heart, like the tax collector praying in the temple, to undertake this retreat. This tax collector, discovering God’s abundant mercy, realized His unworthiness, beat his breast saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” At the end Jesus said, “I tell you; this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Saturday March 18^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

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