Ω CATHOLIC RETREAT - CHRISTIANITY

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         *This is a presentation I prepared through guidelines for a Cursillo Mens Retreat.  Cursillo is a Catholic group dedicated to fostering Piety, Study, and Action.  Which are the three pillars of Cursillo.

Ω CATHOLIC RETREAT 

CHRISTIANITY in Action - Mens Catholic Retreat

Journeying together is the act of living in the company of others on the same pilgrimage. For example, for the last two months, this team, and many others have been praying for the candidates and the team for this weekend.  The team has had many meetings, preparing ourselves spiritually and working out all the details.  Who is doing what, funds, beds, rides etc…This is part of what we call journeying, it is not a very complex thing.  We are ordinary people working towards the same goal, that of God’s Kingdom on earth.  We are all different and unique men, some are quiet, some enthusiastic, some are funny.  We are all unique, we have special gifts.

Through God’s love and passion for us, we have been given the ultimate, the mind of Christ. 

God gave us each sovereignty of self, master of our thoughts, deeds, words and actions.  And for that very reason we are called to love and care, to give of ourselves.  To respond with the spirit of Christ, as guide to the course before us. 

Achieving that goal for me has been a driving force in my life for many years.  When we follow the path given us by Christ, the miracle of life radiates in our very person, and is very visible to onlookers.  That is a part of what dictates how we interact with the world around us, our commitment to Christ’s message.

That commitment is at times strong, and vibrant. Being a living, growing presence in self, at times when the feeling of centeredness has vanished.  Those times, are times that test our resolve.  They give us strength because we know the Lord is always. When we have friends of the same mindset, that of wanting to achieve the Kingdom of God on earth, we are supported with open hearts, ears, and minds of our brothers giving us strength to move constantly on that path with one another. 

Christianity in Action - It is critical for the church to develop communities of faithful people who want to practice the pursuit of Christ’s message in daily life.  These groups must be fluid enough to meet as a whole, and to meet in smaller groups to flavor that relationship with Christ.  The relationship between fellow members of the group is important.  I focus on two groups because of how respond in large groups, and small groups, have different qualities, which are important in our journey.

The energy, with profound power, surges here in this hall through you.  Through your decision to partake in this journey. To renew, and enhance our connection with Christ, and Christ filling each with the Spirit, for ourselves, and also for our brothers and sisters, living that Christ centered life, and the fruits of it.

Everyone who believes Jesus is the Christ, has been born of God,"...and everyone who loves the parent, loves the child." 
         
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God. and live true to the word. 

That is a reading from John illustrating the reality of Christ’s impact upon the world, and the redemptive power of our faith is Him.  It’s power when shared with others on our journey is life changing, for those sharing with one another in Group, and for those who see the action of our faith.

We grow in life through grace with God, learning of knowledge, and discovering paths that enlighten us.  Through our freedom, which I think is one of the qualities of the mind of Christ, we come in union with the Father through the Spirit, given us by Jesus before His passion. Our Lord gave us access to the Spirit when called upon, to reassure us that His care is always here, and always ensuring comfort in the strength of the Lord, The shield of righteousness, gives assuredness to our conviction.

Happenings in our lives mold us, giving direction as we live our lives.  With me the events I found most stressing along my path….which I believe has seen me through them only be the grace of God, and my close friends who supported me, and always walked that extra mile to aid me.  People who are close to us give us the comfort to share intimately.  In Cursillo, we form groups that are the groundwork we use to journey in our faith, with the others in our Group.

The Lord said “Fear Not”

When we live our lives, and respond to the happenings of the world around us.  We see a multitude of circumstance that calls on our response to be Christ like.

Throughout the course of our lives we are presented with happenings that challenge our faith.  Our life involves many struggles, and sometimes we may fall.  Spiritual success is not in falling, but in rising each time we fall.  So to experience Grace, we must rely on God, make a personal effort, and rely on others, or our “Christian Action" is in danger of disappearing.

Access to the Spirit is in our lives always. It is fundamental to whom we are, and how we are to those who we live our lives with; response in the way that Christ informed us.  Response of love, caring, companionship, and using the key components of Christ’s message, so we shine in this world as, "Christ’s Light"; disciples of His.

When we journey together, we share the joys, hopes, and sorrows of each other.  We form Groups, encourage members to be effective, and in this way, we are faithful to the Lord's mandate.  If we trust our brothers, we receive all the help we need, and we help them on their journey.

The path we have chosen has placed all of us in this room today.  It has stimulated a sense of inquiry as to how we can carry out what the Lord has asks of us.

"Do not model yourself on the behavior of the world around you, but let your behavior change modeled by your new mind.

This is the only to discover the will of God, and know what is good, and know what God wants, what is the perfect thing to do."

I wonder what would happen if we took a survey of people on the street? I wonder what kind of opinions, and ideas they would have about Christianity. Of one thing I am sure, the answers would not be all that accurate. The view of Christianity that would perhaps top the responses would be the one that says that Christianity is all about keeping rules and regulations. Most people think that is what we emphasize. And most people also think that whenever these rules and regulations are broken they will be judged harshly. For them Christianity is all about "do this" and "don’t do that."

Where do you find the truth about Christianity? To find out a real definition of true Christianity, go to the Bible. And there you will find that true Christianity hangs or falls on the law of Love, lived out in the power of Christ living in us. The truth about Christianity is that when a person receives Christ, that person is empowered to love limitlessly.

How’s your love life? This is really the fundamental question for us to answer.

As “Christians in Action” we form small groups.  When we speak of Cursillo we speak of a number of individuals who become friends, who journey together, come to know each other intimately, humbly, admire each other.  This is what is happening on this weekend.  We are a diverse group I guarantee every single one in this room, we are diverse, but we are all centered in Christ. We break down the barriers of class and race and know each other as pilgrims on a journey back to the Father.

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.

Here is the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

When John wrote these words he was thinking of Jesus’ statement

When Jesus gave this command, there was already on the books the command to love. So how was this a new command? It is not that the command to love is new, it is that this is a new application of the command to love. The commandment is not new in its existence, but it is new in its extent. It is new in its particulars. It is new in its reach. This command reveals a new degree of love to be manifested. It is new because it is based on a new comparison.

Jesus said, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

Here is the key. We are not to love just as we love ourselves, but as Jesus loved us. In the old command, we were to love our neighbor as ourselves. In the new command, we are to love one another as Jesus loved us. This is the new degree of love we are to demonstrate.

So we see that the old command to love is now defined again into a new application. It is new in scope, new in degree. It drive’s home the truth that love is Christianity in action.

John 2:9-11

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

John, in this text, refers to love and hate. It seems as if there is no middle ground for him. The point he makes is that visible Christianity is characterized by love. If you claim to be a Christian, that is, to be in the light, and you hate your brother, you reveal that you are not a Christian at all. John says that if you hate your brother, you are still in the darkness. Now, there is a difference in walking in the darkness, and being in the darkness. A Christian may sometimes walk in the darkness, but he is not a part of the darkness.

What does John mean by hate? A definition of hate is a feeling of extreme hostility or dislike for someone else. But it has been pointed out that this hatred can be expressed in two different ways. It can be an active hatred, where we do or say things in order to hurt other people, or it can be a passive hatred, where we express ourselves by being indifferent, cold, and uncaring. So whether it is an attitude of active hostility, or cold indifference, it is a form of hatred. And John says that this kind of person is not a Christian.

A true Christian can forgive. A true Christian is not only commanded to love, but also given the power to love. Love is one of the marks of true Christianity. Love is Christianity in action. Love is Christianity made visible.
 
How do we show this kind of love? If you are a Christian, you want to love. But sometimes we just don’t know how. There are, however, some practical ways we can demonstrate our love for one another.

We can show our love for one another, by how we think about one another. The thought is the father of the deed. It says in proverbs that a person is how he thinks in his heart. If we have critical and judgmental thoughts concerning one another, we can be sure that the love of God will not be manifested by our lives. Loving actions must first begin by loving attitudes. We must give one anther the benefit of the doubt. We must see one another through eyes of faith and hope.

We must receive one another as Jesus received us. We must cultivate that attitude of acceptance toward one another this is one way we can show our love.  Another way we can show our love is by how we speak about and to one another. The bible instructs us to speak words seasoned with grace. Words are powerful. They can either encourage or discourage. The words we speak ought to be words of encouragement. If you become someone who always has an encouraging word, people will beat a path to your door. Everyone likes an encourager. No one likes a cynical, sharp-tongued person. Speak words of encouragement. This is another way you can demonstrate your love.

We can also show our love by how we act toward one another. We must not love in word only, but also in deed. We need to think right thoughts about one another, speak right words about one another, and do right for each other. Love is not a feeling — it is an action. To give your enemy a cup of cold water, is to show love. Sometimes the smallest things are enough. But whether large or small, we cannot show love in a passive way. We must be proactive in our love. Love is something we do. An act of kindness here, a good deed there — love in action — that is what we want, that is what we are called to be – “Christians in Action”.

One important action in love is forgiveness. Forgiveness shows the world about our Christian walk through life, the core of us, and our spirit.

Finally, the promise we have, if we love one another, is that there will be nothing that causes us or anyone else to stumble in our lives. In other words, if we love, we will see clearly how to walk with Christ. It is the evidence that we are His disciples. And it is the most powerful testimony of the grace of God the world sees in us.  We use our gifts as laypersons, clergy, religious, or whatever role we may find ourselves.

Besides each one working in their place, as members of a living “Christianity in Action” we form ‘friendship groups’.  In Cursillo we refer to these as ‘group reunions” but we also do these things in ‘union with all’. The smaller group develops into a closer more intimate bond among the members.  That bond opens the door to true communication between the members.  Within smaller groups we can feel open and share things in our lives that we know our fellow group members have open hearts, mind and ears, with a helping hand always; as our Lord Jesus instructed.

Let His love free you today. Reject any feelings which keep you from loving. In the place of bitterness and resentment put forgiveness. Release people to be who they are. Give them hope to become who they can be. Ask God to free you by placing His love in your heart. As you are freed by His love, you will find that His love frees those around you. Commit yourself to love in thought, in word, and in deed. You will become a powerful witness to the grace of God. You will become a new person yourself. How’s your love life?

Christianity is not a religion. Christianity is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Christianity is the Holy Spirit in us, and guiding us in truth.  Small groups journeying together create that climate that makes it possible to love the gospel and share it with the world.  What we are doing here at this Cursillo weekend is living proof of the effectiveness of “Christianity in Action”. Wayne Dyer speaks of our inner world, and out external world.  Your source of strength is Christ, our faith.  We control our inner world and attain peace of heart and mind.  Getting joy from life every day through Spiritual commitment.  And our friends who strive for the Kingdom of God on earth.

So we have the small groups that journey with the focus being the gospel and this is what we call “Christianity in Action”.  Sometimes it happens that someone encounters the “Truth” but may feel unworthy and are afraid to embrace it.  Living as “Christians in Action”, will give us the strength to reach out to others.

Let us be part of God’s eternal program: to reach the lost, to love others, and to love the Lord God with all our heart, mind and spirit.  Carlos Castaneda, wrote about in “A Separate Reality”, that a man of knowledge lives by acting not by thinking about acting, not by wishing that he had done something,  A man of knowledge understands that what we’re doing in life really doesn’t matter, but he acts as if it does, so that when his acts are over, he retreats in peace, and weather they worked, or didn’t, weather it has good or bad,  right or wrong, is in no part any part of his concern. It’s like understanding that if you’re going to get things done in life you’ve got to be able to transcend all of the reasons why they can’t be done.  Use the mind of Christ and overcome the obstacles.  Use friends who have become family supporting us in the joys and sorrows of our lives When we explore our paths united.  We are problem solvers we overcome things we would not think could be accomplished  alone. But when united the great world unfolds.  We see passions, love, caring companionship.  And with the wisdom that seeing that brings we come to see it in ourselves much more then we would see when in a solitary world.  There is truly strength in numbers. Strength that brings us the children of God out of our shells and become beautifully blooming flowers of God the Father, and Jesus our Lord, given through complete love for us by our heavenly Father.

When these principals are lived by us, and in the community, the world is changed.  Believers support and encourage each other. 

On that day you shall know that I am in my Father. You are in me, and I in you.

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