Beloved – Sinner – Forgiven – Sent
March 28th – March 31st
Welcome to “Beloved – Sinner – Forgiven – Sent”, a facilitated global virtual retreat for Lent 2022. All Ignatian educators are invited to pray together in preparation for Easter.
Theme
This Lenten Retreat invites us to have a deeper knowledge of our core-grace: we are beloved sons and daughters of God; of our core-sinfulness: our failure to accept our core-grace; of our identity as forgiven: to make forgiveness an attitude of life and of our call to be sent: to be the messengers of reconciliation and peace. As we grow in the interior knowledge of being beloved, sinner, forgiven and sent, we are invited to make an ‘exodus’ in our lives – to move from death to life, from darkness to light – by appropriating the way of Jesus.
About the Retreat Leaders:
Fr. (Dr.) Joseph A D’Mello, SJ is an Ignatian Spirituality Specialist and Socius to the Provincial of Karnataka (India), and Ms. Renuka Zachariah is the Vice Principal at St. Joseph’s Pre-University College in Bangalore (India)
Times and Dates
Daily sessions from Monday 28th – Thursday 31st March 2022
9:00pm GMT (see your local time)
Daily Presentations
Each session consist of a 25-minute presentation by the two Retreat Leaders, Fr. Joseph A D’Mello, SJ and Ms. Renuka Zachariah and questions for group discussion for participants.
Discussion Groups
After the presentations each Retreat participant is invited to join a group reflection with fellow Retreat companions to share and discuss your experience. Read the Group Discussion Guidelines here.
Isaiah 43:1-4:
“But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; … Since you are precious and honored in my sight, … I love you…
Question for Discussion
How can you contribute in your classroom to create this sense of “all of us are children of God” and “We are one family”?
Question for Reflection
What does it mean to you being the beloved of God?
Let us listen to God through the Word of God: MK 10: 17-22
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Question for Discussion
As you pray over the theme of sinner, share your thoughts, feelings and desires.
Question for Reflection
What are my core sins as an educator? How are they (core sins) affecting me in my relationship with God and my students? What is the Lord telling me at this moment about my core sins?
Let us listen to God through the Word of God: Lk 23: 32-34
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
Question for Discussion
How could we promote the attitude of forgiveness in our families and schools?
Question for Reflection
What are my thoughts, feelings and questions as I ponder over the theme of forgiveness?
Let us listen to God through the Word of God: Matthew 5:13-16
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Question for Discussion
Share any one experience from your teaching career when you have been light and salt of the earth.
Question for Reflection
What are your thoughts, feelings and desires as you move out of the retreat?