eight days ignatian retreat...here is a proposal for an eight-day retreat of spiritual exercises...

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Eight Days Ignatian Retreat With the Universal Apostolic Preferences Dear Friends Here is a proposal for an eight-day retreat of Spiritual Exercises following Ignatian spirituality with a special emphasis on the Universal Apostolic Preferences. Each day I suggest two prayer sheets. Later the retreatans with their siritual directors will adapt them to their needs and to their own rythm of pauses and repetitions. The scheme of each prayer sheet is approximately as follows: The image Texts of the Sacred Scripture and Ignatian tradition The grace I wish to ask for Prayer guidelines Colloquy The idea is to move forward according to the dynamic of the four weeks of the Spiritual Exercises. I wanted to include some references to the UAPs. They will guide the mission of the Society of Jesus in the next ten years. I do not intend to leave the proposals for prayer closed. Each person has his or her own way of praying. I would rather like to share some images that can help each one's spiritual journey. It is an adventure in the Spirit that asks for our conversion to enjoy this gift received in the UAPs. Retreatants will have to adapt the contents with their spiritual directors according to persons, places and times. May the Lord be with you, guide you and bless you always. José de Pablo, SJ DAY 0 - Arrival 1– My life of faith as a River Review of last year DAY 1 2 Let your light shine: The First Principle and Foundation 3 Receiving the Universal Apostolic Preferences: The need of conversion DAY 2 4 Hell situation: A world without UAP 5 With Eyes of Mercy: Reconciliation DAY 3 6- The Call in Motion The call of the Eternal King: UAPs as a Call 7 Incarnation, God Moves First Contemplation of the Incarnation DAY 4 8 The preferences of Jesus: His first 30 years with us: Contemplating the hidden life 9 Guided by the Spirit: Temptations and the Two Standards DAY 5 10 Contemplating His Life with the eyes of the UAPs 11 The image of God From the Last Supper to Gethsemane DAY 6 12 The consequences of His Preferences. Three Judgements: Social, Political, Religious 13 The seven last sayings of Jesus on the Cross DAT 7 14 Words of Resurrection: Contemplations of the Resurrection 15 All in the same boat with Him. DAY 8 16 Attaining Love: Contemplation to reach love 17 An exercise of reform : Pray from gratitude and for gratitud.

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EightDaysIgnatianRetreatWiththeUniversalApostolicPreferences

DearFriendsHereisaproposalforaneight-dayretreatofSpiritualExercisesfollowingIgnatianspiritualitywithaspecialemphasisontheUniversalApostolicPreferences.EachdayIsuggesttwoprayersheets.Latertheretreatanswiththeirsiritualdirectorswilladaptthemtotheirneedsandtotheirownrythmofpausesandrepetitions.Theschemeofeachprayersheetisapproximatelyasfollows:

• Theimage• TextsoftheSacredScriptureandIgnatiantradition• ThegraceIwishtoaskfor• Prayerguidelines• Colloquy

TheideaistomoveforwardaccordingtothedynamicofthefourweeksoftheSpiritualExercises.IwantedtoincludesomereferencestotheUAPs.TheywillguidethemissionoftheSocietyofJesusinthenexttenyears.Idonotintendtoleavetheproposalsforprayerclosed.Eachpersonhashisorherownwayofpraying.Iwouldratherliketosharesomeimagesthatcanhelpeachone'sspiritualjourney.ItisanadventureintheSpiritthatasksforourconversiontoenjoythisgiftreceivedintheUAPs.Retreatantswillhavetoadaptthecontentswiththeirspiritualdirectorsaccordingtopersons,placesandtimes.MaytheLordbewithyou,guideyouandblessyoualways.

JosédePablo,SJ

DAY0-Arrival 1–MylifeoffaithasaRiverReviewoflastyearDAY1 2Letyourlightshine:TheFirstPrincipleandFoundation 3ReceivingtheUniversalApostolicPreferences:TheneedofconversionDAY2 4Hellsituation:AworldwithoutUAP 5WithEyesofMercy:ReconciliationDAY3 6-TheCallinMotionThecalloftheEternalKing:UAPsasaCall 7Incarnation,GodMovesFirstContemplationoftheIncarnationDAY4 8ThepreferencesofJesus:Hisfirst30yearswithus:Contemplatingthehiddenlife 9GuidedbytheSpirit:TemptationsandtheTwoStandardsDAY5 10ContemplatingHisLifewiththeeyesoftheUAPs 11TheimageofGodFromtheLastSuppertoGethsemaneDAY6 12TheconsequencesofHisPreferences.ThreeJudgements:Social,Political,Religious 13ThesevenlastsayingsofJesusontheCrossDAT7 14WordsofResurrection:ContemplationsoftheResurrection 15AllinthesameboatwithHim.DAY8 16AttainingLove:Contemplationtoreachlove 17Anexerciseofreform:Prayfromgratitudeandforgratitud.

UAPRetreatDay0Exercise1

MyLifeasaRiver

Text:John,4,7-15AwomanofSamariacametodrawwater.Jesussaidtoher,“Givemeadrink.”Hisdiscipleshadgoneintothetowntobuyfood.TheSamaritanwomansaidtohim,“Howcanyou,aJew,askme,aSamaritanwoman,foradrink?”(ForJewsusenothingincommonwithSamaritans.)Jesusansweredandsaidtoher,“IfyouknewthegiftofGodandwhoissayingtoyou,‘Givemeadrink,’youwouldhaveaskedhimandhewouldhavegivenyoulivingwater.”[Thewoman]saidtohim,“Sir,youdonotevenhaveabucketandthewellisdeep;wherethencanyougetthislivingwater?AreyougreaterthanourfatherJacob,whogaveusthiswellanddrankfromithimselfwithhischildrenandhisflocks?”Jesusansweredandsaidtoher,“Everyonewhodrinksthiswaterwillbethirstyagain;butwhoeverdrinksthewaterIshallgivewillneverthirst;thewaterIshallgivewillbecomeinhimaspringofwaterwellinguptoeternallife.”Thewomansaidtohim,“Sir,givemethiswater,sothatImaynotbethirstyorhavetokeepcomingheretodrawwater.”

CompositionIimaginemylifeasariverandItrytoidentifywheretheflowofLifehasbeenleadingmethroughoutthepastyear.AskingforGraceIaskfortheinnerknowledgeandfreedomtoopenmyselftodiscovertheworkofGodinmeandintheworldaroundmeinthepastyear.

Guidelinesforprayer● Itrytodrawmylastyear’sriver,usingtheimageofwaterasasymbolofthepresenceoftheSpiritofGodin

mylifeandinmywork.Itrytofindtheimagewhichbestdescribestheselastmonths:flowingwater,dessert,waterfall,fountain,irrigation,etc…

● IimagineJesuscontemplatingmyownriverandaskingmeforwatertodrink.Whathasmademefeeldryor

freshthroughoutthisyear?

● IasktheLordforthewaterIneedforthisretreat,forthecomingdays,months,year,forothers…ColloquyIpresentallthistotheLordandtalktohimaboutthepointsthatprovokethestrongestinnermovementsinme.IaskHimtogivemethespringofwaterwellinguptoeternallife.Otherbiblicaltextaboutwater:Gen1,2.Nowtheearthwasformlessandempty,darknesswasoverthesurfaceofthedeep,andtheSpiritofGodwashoveringoverthewaters.Is.12,3.Withjoyyouwilldrawwaterfromthewellsofsalvation.Is.44,3.ForIwillpourwateronthethirstyland,andstreamsonthedryground;IwillpouroutmySpiritonyouroffspring,andmyblessingonyourdescendants.Is.58,11.TheLORDwillguideyoualways;hewillsatisfyyourneedsinasun-scorchedlandandwillstrengthenyourframe.Youwillbelikeawell-wateredgarden,likeaspringwhosewatersneverfail.Ez.36,25-26.Iwillsprinklecleanwateronyou,andyouwillbeclean;Iwillcleanseyoufromallyourimpuritiesandfromallyouridols.Iwillgiveyouanewheartandputanewspiritinyou;Iwillremovefromyouyourheartofstoneandgiveyouaheartofflesh.Am.5,24.Butletjusticerollonlikeariver,righteousnesslikeanever-failingstream!Psalm63,1.You,God,aremyGod,earnestlyIseekyou;Ithirstforyou,mywholebeinglongsforyou,inadryandparchedlandwherethereisnowater.Mt.10,42.Andifanyonegivesevenacupofcoldwatertooneoftheselittleoneswhoismydisciple,trulyItellyou,thatpersonwillcertainlynotlosetheirreward.”Jn.7,37-38.Onthelastandgreatestdayofthefestival,Jesusstoodandsaidinaloudvoice,“Letanyonewhoisthirstycometomeanddrink.Whoeverbelievesinme,asScripturehassaid,riversoflivingwaterwillflowfromwithinthem.”Rev21,6.Hesaidtome:“Itisdone.IamtheAlphaandtheOmega,theBeginningandtheEnd.TothethirstyIwillgivewaterwithoutcostfromthespringofthewateroflife.

UAPRetreatDay1Exercise2

LettheLightShine

THEFIRSTPRINCIPLEANDFOUNDATION

TheGoalofourlifeistolivewithGodforever.God,wholovesus,gaveuslife.OurownresponseofloveallowsGod'slifetoflowintouswithoutlimit.AllthethingsinthisworldaregiftsfromGod,presentedtoussothatwecanknowGodmoreeasilyandmakeareturnoflovemorereadily.Asaresult,weappreciateanduseallthesegiftsofGodinsofarastheyhelpustodevelopaslovingpersons.Butifanyofthesegiftsbecomethecenterofourlives,theydisplaceGodandsohinderourgrowthtowardourgoal.

Ineverydaylife,then,wemustholdourselvesinbalancebeforeallofthesecreatedgiftsinsofaraswehaveachoiceandarenotboundbysomeobligation.Weshouldnotfixourdesiresonhealthorsickness,wealthorpoverty,successorfailure,alonglifeorashortone.ForeverythinghasthepotentialofcallingforthinusAdeeperresponsetoourlifeinGod.Ouronlydesireandouronechoiceshouldbethis:IwantandIchoosewhatbetterleadstoGod'sdeepeninghislifeinme.

(St.IgnatiusasparaphrasedbyDavidL.FlemingSJ)

AskingforGraceIaskfortheinnerknowledgeofthelightofGodinme,andhowitmakesitselffeltinmylifesoastobeabletoloveandservetheLordatalltimes.Texts:

▪ Genesis1:3-5-AndGodsaid,“Lettherebelight,”andtherewaslight.▪ John1:1-14-Inhimwaslife,andthatlifewasthelightofallmankind.Thelight

shinesinthedarkness,andthedarknesshasnotovercome…▪ John8:12“Iamthelightoftheworld,”Hesaid.“Whoeverfollowsmewillhave

the lightoflifeandwillneverwalkindarkness.”▪ Matthew5:14-16-“Youarelikelightforthewholeworld.Acitybuiltonahillcannotbehid.Noonelightsa

lampandputsitunderabowl;insteaditisputonthelampstand,whereitgiveslightforeveryoneinthehouse.Inthesamewayyourlightmustshinebeforepeople,sothattheywillseethegoodthingsyoudoandpraiseyourFatherinheaven.

GuidelinesforprayerYoucanchoosebetweendifferentapproaches:

● ReadslowlycalmlythePrincipleandFoundationandtrytodiscovertheareasinyourlifethatareenlightenedbyGod'slight.

● YouarepartofacovenantthatGodhasmadewithussincethebeginningoftime,

goingbacktoAbraham,Isaac,Jacob,Moses,David...Jesus...Peter,Paul...Ignatius...andthetorchhasnowbeenpassedontoyou.Receivethislightasalegacyandreflectonhowithasenlightenedyourlifetothisday.Givethanksforallthosewhohavepassedonthistorchtoyou.

● EverythinginourlifeisagiftfromGod.Withourgiftsandchoiceswecanenlightenthe

worldorleaveitindarkness.Godisformelikeabeaconthatilluminatesandguidesmethroughlife.LetmetakeamomenttothankHimformyareasoflightandaskHimtohelpmegettoknowbettermyareasofdarkness.

ColloquyIthanktheLordforthegiftsIhavereceivedinmylife,forthosewhohandedthemtomeandforthelightIamabletobring.

UAPRetreatDay1Exercise3

ReceivingtheUniversalApostolicPreferences

TheImage:Justlikeinancientracesachariotwasdrivenbyfourhorses,theSocietyofJesushasreceivedthefourUniversalApostolicPreferencestohelpitmoveforwardtowardsreconciliationandjustice.Thisisthetargetpromotedbythe36thGeneralCongregation.ThelaunchingoftheUAPshasbeenalong-termandextensivediscernmentprocessfortheentireSocietyofJesus.FatherGeneralArturoSosapresentedthefruitsofthisdiscernmenttoPopeFranciswhoapprovedandconfirmedthem.FatherGeneralinsistedthatthefourUniversalApostolicPreferencesshouldadvancetogetherandbeguidedbyabasicdispositionofdiscernment,conversionandintellectualdepth.

AskingforGrace:IaskfortheinteriorknowledgeofthegiftreceivedintheUniversalApostolicPreferencesasthefruitofacommunaldiscernmentofthewholeSocietyofJesusguidedbytheHolySpiritandconfirmedbythePope.Texts:

● Proverbs2:1-9Myson,ifyoureceivemywords…FortheLORDgiveswisdom,…Guardingthepathsofjustice

● John15:4-5Remaininme,asIremaininyou.Justasabranchcannotbearfruitonitsownunlessitremainsonthevine,soneithercanyouunlessyouremaininme…

● PopeFrancis(lettertoFr.General):ThefirstpreferenceiscrucialbecauseitpresupposesasabasicconditiontheJesuit’srelationshipwiththeLordinapersonalandcommunallifeofprayeranddiscernment…Withoutthisprayerfulattitudetheotherpreferenceswillnotbearfruit.

● Fr.General:UniversalApostolicPreferences2019-2029.(Pg.1)TheUAParethefruitofanelection…OurdesirehasbeentofindthebestwaytoservetheChurchatthistimethebestcontributionwecanmakewithwhatweareandhave,seekingtodowhatisforthegreaterdivineserviceandthemoreuniversalgood

○ ToshowthewaytoGodthroughtheSpiritualExercisesanddiscernment;○ Towalkwiththepoor,theoutcastsoftheworld,thosewhosedignityhasbeenviolated,ina

missionofreconciliationandjustice;○ Toaccompanyyoungpeopleinthecreationofahope-filledfuture;○ TocollaborateinthecareofourCommonHome.

(Pg.8)ThecallistosharethelifeandmissionofJesusChrist.AttheheartofthiscallistheloveoftheOneandTriuneGodwhoisnotparalyzedinthefaceoftheworld’ssituationbutwhosendsJesustotakeonourhumanityandgivehislifeinordertoopenthegatestodivinelifeandloveforallhumanbeings.IndyingJesusexpressesthesupremelovethatvanquishesdeath.Toacceptthatcallistogiveone’slifeforloveexpressedindeedsofreconciliationandjustice;itmeansbeingtransformedintoauthenticfollowersofJesusandactivemembersoftheChurchandtheSocietythatservesthemissionincollaborationwithsomanyotherpersons.Conversionempowersustotakepartinthemission:conversiontofaithintheGoodNewsthattheReignofGodisathand,andconversiontoalivingfaiththatexpressesitselfinworksthatmakepossiblethefulfillmentofGod'spromiseinhumanhistory.

Guidelinesforprayer

- IimaginehowtheHolyTrinityhasguidedtheUAPs’discernment.HowtheLordhandsoverthismissiontotheSocietyfromthehandsoftheHolyFathertotheonesofFatherGeneral,thentothewholeSocietyofJesusandfinallytome.

- ThelaunchingoftheUAPshasbeenaverydifferentprocessofdiscernmentforeachpersoninvolved-Jesuitorpartnerinmission,communitiesorinstitutions,provinces,regions,conferencesandtheentireSociety.DidIfeelpartofthisdiscernmentprocess?HowhaveIwelcomedtheUniversalApostolicPreferences?

- Conversion.FatherGeneralinsisted:ThetemptationistorushintoputtingtheUAPsintopracticewithouttakingthetimetoassimilateanddelvedeeperintothemsoastofeelwhattheyareaskingofusintermsofpersonalandcommunaltransformationandconversion.WhatdoIneedtoreceiveandembraceintheUAPsonapersonalandcommunallevel?

Colloquy:IthanktheLordforthegiftofthepreferencesandpresentmyfeelingsofjoyorresistance.

GuidingprinciplesfortheunderstandingoftheUAPs(ExtractsfromFr.Generaltalks)

UNIVERSAL● Theyareuniversalbecausetheyreflectthe

diversityofcultures.Theyarecommittedtopluralityandtheyopposethehomogenizationofglobalisation.

● Preferencesmustmakeusgroundedandheart-feltinthecommongoodofallhumanitybydifferentpaths.

NotGLOBAL● Globalizationisthechoiceofworlduniformityas

opposedtotherichnessofthelocalandtheindividual.

● Globalizationtruststhatallhumansocietiesmusthavethesameidentityandthesamehistoricaltrajectory.

APOSTOLIC● Theyareapostolicbecausetheyassumethe

missionofJesusastheapostlesdid.● Theyaretheresultofanexerciseofspiritual

discernmentincommonaswasmadebythefirstJesuits.

● TheyarenotobjectivesandgoalsbutthesoulofalltheplansandactionsoftheSocietyofJesus.

NotIMMOBILE● UAPsarenotalistofqualitiesandcharacteristics

thatwemustfulfilinaparticularJesuitterritory.Theyarenotaticking-the-boxexercise.

● Theyareacalltoexplorethenewterritoriesofthepresentwithoutbeinganchoredtothepast,whilestilltakingintoaccountourtraditions.

PREFERENCES● Apreferenceisavitalorientationforfocusallour

apostolatesinthenexttenyears.TheyareaninspirationforeveryJesuitministry.

● Toprefersomethingistodesireitmorethanotherthings.Thisentailsmyownwillandfeelings.Apreferenceiswhatwereallyneedandhavetoseek.

NotPRIORITIES● Prioritizingisexclusive.IfIprioritize,Iam

choosingsomethingoverotherthings.● Wearenotmakingarankingofactionsorworks,

butfollowingdiscernment,wechoosewhatdirectiontotake.

Proverbs2:1-9Myson,ifyoureceivemywordsandtreasuremycommands,TurningyoureartoWisdom,incliningyourhearttounderstanding;Yes,ifyoucalltointelligence,andtounderstandingraiseyourvoice;andlikehiddentreasuressearchherout:ThenwillyouunderstandthefearoftheLORD;theknowledgeofGodyouwillfind;FortheLORDgiveswisdom,fromhismouthcomeknowledgeandunderstanding;Hehascounselinstorefortheupright,heistheshieldofthosewhowalkhonestly,Guardingthepathsofjustice,protectingthewayofhispiousones.Thenyouwillunderstandrectitudeandjustice,honesty,everygoodpath.

John15:4-5

Remaininme,asIremaininyou.Justasabranchcannotbearfruitonitsownunlessitremainsonthevine,soneithercanyouunlessyouremaininme.Iamthevine,youarethebranches.WhoeverremainsinmeandIinhimwillbearmuchfruit,becausewithoutmeyoucandonothing.

UAPRetreatDay2Exercise4

HellSituation

TheImage:AbrokenWorldImagineaworldwherejusttheoppositeofourUAPsprevails

● AworldwithoutGod,wheretheSpiritualExerciseshavenosenseanddiscernmentisanemptyword.AworldwithnocommunicationbetweenusandGod

● Aworldwherethepoorareabandonedandhumiliated;wherehumanbeingshavenodignityoftheirown.Aworldwithoutpathsofreconciliationwhereonlyinjusticeremains.

● Aworldwhereyoungpeople’svaluesaremilesawayfromsolidarity,faithandhope;andclosertosuperficiality,selfishnessandpower.

● Anenvironmentallysickworldthathaspassedthepointofnoreturn.Aworldexploited,polluted,andwornout,wherelifebecomesimpossible.

TextsSp.Ex.65-71–Themeditationofhell.AGodlessWorldHewasintheworld,andthoughtheworldwasmadethroughhim,theworlddidnotrecognizehim.Hecametothatwhichwashisown,buthisowndidnotreceivehim.John1:10-11

AWorldwherethepoorareabandonedForIwashungryandyougavemenothingtoeat,Iwasthirstyandyougavemenothingtodrink,I

wasastrangerandyoudidnotinvitemein,Ineededclothesandyoudidnotclotheme,

Iwassickandinprisonandyoudidnotlookafterme.’Matthew25:31-46

YouthwithouthopeWhentheyoungmanheardthis,hewentawaysad,becausehehadgreatwealth.Matthew19:21-22

Nocommonhomecare

Theonewhohearsmywordsanddoesnotputthemintopractice

islikeamanwhobuiltahouseonthegroundwithoutafoundation.Themomentthetorrent

struckthathouse,itcollapsedanditsdestructionwascomplete.”

Luke6:48-49CompositionIimaginemyselfinabrokenworldandtakealookatitsvictims.AskingforGraceIaskforaninnersenseofthepainthatthedamagedpeopleofthisworldareenduring.IasktheLordtohelpmeunderstandtheevilpaththatseparatesusfromthemandfromHim.Guidelinesforprayer

● Itrytoimagineabrokenworldgoingfromthesituationsthatarefarthesttothoseclosesttome.● ImeditateonthepresentsituationsofrupturewithGod,withcreation,withothers,withmyinnerself.How

willthefuturebeforthemandformeifwecontinuedownthispath?● Withmyinnersenses,Itrytoexplorethefinalconsequencesandproportionsofthewoundsofourworld.

ColloquyIpresenttotheLordthepainofthedamagedpeopleofthisworldasIconsidermyownpast,presentandfuture.IsharewithGodwhatisinmyheartduringthismeditationofabrokenworld.

UAPRetreatDay2

Exercise5

WithEyesofMercyTheImage:Inmanyofourcities,weseepeoplesellinggoodsonablanket.Manyofthemaremigrantslookingforawaytosurviveinatradethatisnotalwayslegal.Amongtheirmerchandise,theysellgenuineandcounterfeitgoods,authenticandartificialstuff,fakebrands,andsoon.InSpain,theyarecalledmanteros.Theylookforthebusieststreetstosellmorebutassoonastheyseethepolicecoming,theyquicklygrabthefourcornersoftheblanketandrunawaytoavoidgettingtheirthingsconfiscated.CompositionIimaginemyselfinfrontofGod,theGodofMercy,andpresentallthatconstitutesmylife:vocation,studies,work,community,apostolate,spirituallife,friends,family,…AskingforGraceIaskforthegracetodistinguishbetweenwhatisandwhatisnotauthenticinmylife.ThegraceofdiscoveringthroughthelightofGod’smercywhatseparatesmeandwhatbringsmeclosertoGod,toothersandmyselfinloveandtruth.Texts

- Exodus3:1-16-Mosesandtheburningbush.“Takeoffyoursandals,fortheplacewhereyouarestandingisholyground…Ihaveseentheoppressionofmypeople…”

- Luke15:11-32-TheMercifulFatherandthetwosons.Theprodigalsonandhiselderbrotherdiscoveredtheirtruth,andthetruthoftheirFather’smercy.

- Luke19:1-10–Zacchaeus.«Jesussaidtohim,“Todaysalvationhascometothishouse…FortheSonofMancametoseekandtosavethelost.”»

- Psalm139-Youhavesearchedme,LORD,andyouknowme.- Psalm51-abrokenandcontriteheart,you,God,willnotdespise.

Guidelinesforprayer

● ItakesometimetoenterGod'spresence.IacknowledgethatIaminasacredspaceandasktheLordtoplacemeunderhismercifulgaze.

● IchooseandreadoneofthetextsandcontemplatehowitspeaksabouttherelationshipwithGod

● Itakeintoaccountthedifferentrelationships,memoriesandaspectsofmylife.Iletmymindandheartto

movethroughthosedifferentmoments,peopleandplacesinmyrelationshipwithGod,withothersandwithmyself.

● Amongmyrealitytherearelightandheavythings,authenticandfalserealities,blessingsandsins...thelabels

Iwear,thelabelsIputtoothers…IpresenttoGodallthatIamandallthatIhave.

● Ifnegativememoriesandfeelingsarise,ItrytoembracethemaspartofwhoIamandpresentthemtoGodwhoknowsmebetterthanIknowmyself.IletGodshedlightontheseshadowymemoriesallinHistiming.

ColloquyIoffertheLordthepointsthatprovokethestrongestinnermovementsinmeandIaskHimtoletmeexperienceHismercyinmylife

UAPRetreatDay3

Exercise6

TheCallinMotionTheImage:Momentum:Theforcethatkeepsanobjectmovingoraneventtounfoldonceithasstarted.Momentumoccurswhenapositiveresultgeneratesmorepositiveresultscausinginturnageneralforwardforcewithacollectiveconfidence.Momentumgainsmorestrengththelongeritlasts.Texts:

● Matthew5:1-12orLuke6:20-26o Blessedarethepoorinspirit,for

theirsisthekingdomofheaveno Blessedarethosewhoare

persecutedforrighteousness'sake,fortheirsisthekingdomofheaven.o Blessedarethepeacemakers,fortheywillbecalledchildrenofGodo Blessedarethemeek,fortheyshallinherittheearth

● Fr.General:PartI:UniversalApostolicPreferences2019-2029.

(Pg7)ThepreferencesseektoembodyconcretelythemissionreceivedastheLord’sresponsetothecryofawoundedworld;thecryofthemostvulnerable,whohavebeendisplacedandmarginalized;theemptyrhetoricthatdividesanddismantlesourcultures;thegrowingchasmbetweenrichandpoor;thecryoftheyounginsearchofhopeandmeaning;thecryoftheearthanditspeoples,whohavebeendegradedtothepointofhavingtheirveryexistenceputatrisk.ThepreferencesseektorespondtoaworldinwhichentiregenerationshaveneverheardaboutJesusandhisGospel.

● PopeFrancis:TheGodofloveshowsusourplaceinthisworldtobechannelsofHislovetoalltheEarth’s

creatures,fornotoneofthemisforgotteninHissight.(LaudatoSi’246)

● SaintIgnatius:"EternalLordofallthings,ImakemyoblationwithThyfavorandhelp,…thatIwantanddesire,anditismydeliberatedetermination,ifonlyitbeThygreaterserviceandpraise,toimitateTheeinbearingallinjuriesandallabuseandallpovertyofspirit,andactualpoverty,too,ifThymostHolyMajestywantstochooseandreceivemetosuchlifeandstate."SpiritualExercises98

Theimage

● IimaginemyselfonthemountainsidelisteningtoJesusinthemidstofthecrowd.AskingforGrace

● IaskGodforinnerknowledgeofHispreferencesandmyowndesiretofollowHim.Guidanceforprayer

● Readthetextandimaginethescene.ContemplatethewayJesuslooksatthecrowdandhowheaskshisdisciplestocollaborateinhismission.

● Lookattheverbsofthepreferences:toshowtheway,towalkwith,toaccompany,tocollaboratein,…GothroughthefirstpartofFr.General’sletterandimagineyourselfdoingtheseactions.

● TheUAPsarethefirstfruitofalongprocessofdiscernmentwhichwillcontinuenowinourapostolicplanning.HowhaveIfeltpartofthisprocessuntilnowandhowdoIfeelaboutthenextsteps?

● ImagineyourlifeasananswertoJesus'programmeexpressedinthebeatitudes:ArethepreferencesofJesusmyownpreferences?ArethepreferencesgiventotheSocietyofJesusmypreferences?Whatdesireswithinmemoveinfavouroragainst?Whataremylongingsandwhat’sholdingmeback?

Colloquy:PresentyourdesirestoJesusasifyouaretalkingtoafriend.

UAPRetreatDay3Exercise7

Incarnation,GodMovesFirst

Theimage:TheHolyTrinityinmercifuldialogue.Itislikeadiptych;ononesidewehavethedialogueoftheTrinitybeforetheworldandontheotherOurLadyofNazareth.TheTrinityapproacheshumanityknowingitspainanditsseparationfromtheGodofMercy.Goddecidestosavealosthumanity:"ThethreeDivinePersonsgazed"atthegloomysightofahumanitythathaslostthemeaningoflife,brokenduetodivisionandselfishness,anddecided“thattheSecondPersonshouldbecomeahumanbeingtosavethehumanrace”.AndthusitisproclaimedtoMary.God'sfirstmovementistoasktobereceivedintotheworldbyawonderfulpoorwomanwhoisabletosayyestoGod.

AskingforGraceIasktheLordforthegracetoseetheworldwithits“manyanddiversepeople”throughHiseyes.AndtorespondasOurLadydidfromherhouseinNazareth.IaskfortheinteriorknowledgeoftheLord,whobecamehumanforme,sothatImaylovehimmoreintenselyandfollowhimmoreclosely.TextsJesus'wayofseeing- OurLordisachildthatbringslightandsalvationfor

SimeonandAnna.Formyeyeshaveseenyoursalvation…Luke2,25-35

- Helookstothedisciplesandhecallsthem.John

1:35-42- Whenhesawthecrowd,hehadcompassionon

them,becausetheywereharassedandhelpless,likesheepwithoutashepherd.Matthew9:36

- Hesawalargecrowdandhehadcompassionon

them.Matthew14:13-14- Helookstotheonewhodeniedhim,andHe

changeshisheart.Luke22:61-62- Jesuslookedattheonewhodidnotwhattochange

andlovedhim.Marc10:17-27- Jesuslookswithmercytilltheend.Father,forgive

them,fortheydon’tknowwhattheyaredoing.Luke23:34

OurLady’swayofseeing- Annunciation.Mayyourwordtomebefulfilled…

Luke1:26-38- Magnificat.FortheMightyOnehasdonegreat

thingsforme…Luke1:39-56- Marytreasuredupallthesethingsandpondered

theminherheart.Luke2:19,51Othertexts- Iasknomoreofyoutolookathim…Silencedthe

understanding,Ilookthathelooksatme.SaintTheresaofAvila

- BygivingushisWord,hedoesnothaveanotherword

todeliver,andbygivingushisownSon,hehasnoothergifttograntus;hehasnothingelsetosay,nothingelsetograntus.BygivingusJesus,hehassaidall.SaintJohnoftheCross

- Teachmeyourwayoflookingatpeople…yourimage

changesthosewithwhomyoucomeintocontact.Fr.PedroArrupe

Guidelinesforprayer(SpEx101-109)

1. Tosee,listentoandlookattheworld“insuchblindness”:Theworldweliveinisadividedoneneedyofsalvation:"Toseethepeople,listentowhattheyaresaying,seewhattheyaredoing...”,“someinpeaceandothersatwar,someweepingandotherslaughing,somehealthyandotherssick,somebeingbornandothersdying”.Itisahumanitythatasks"tobefreedfromtheshacklesofmortalityandistoenteruponthegloriouslibertyofthechildrenofGod”(Rom8:21).Ibringthisscenetomylife.

2. Tosee,listento,andlookattheTrinity:“Letusworktheredemptionofthehuman”.Godtakestheinitiative

tosaveus.ThesecondpersonoftheHolyTrinitybecomesincarnate,andbysodoing,hesharesalltheproblems,hopesandpainofhumanity...Andmakemenandwomenperceivehowfraternityandaffiliationislived:"GodsolovedtheworldthathegavehisonlySon"(Jn3:16).Itrytotransposethisscenetomylife.

3. See,listentoandlookattheannunciationtoMaryMaryistheresponsemodeltothecallforcollaborating

inthecomingoftheKingdomofGod.God’sinterventioninhistorypreviouslyrequireshumanconsent.Beforeinterveninginthehistoryofmen,Godasksforconsent.BychoosingMary,Godchooseswhatissimple,weak,feminine,inordertocarryoutgreatdeeds.Itrytotransposethisscenetomylife.

ColloquywithourFather,richinmercy;withhisSon,whohastakenonHimallthatisoursandtowhomnothingisstrange;withtheSpirit,giveroflife;andwithMary,instrumentoftheNewAlliance,"IwillaskforfavoursaccordingtowhatIperceiveinmyheartthatImaybetterfollowandimitateOurLord,whointhiswayhasrecentlybecomeahumanbeing”(SpEx109).

UAPRetreatDay4Exercise8

ThePreferencesofJesus:HisFirst30Yearswithus

Theimage:Therearealwaysdifferentpathswecantake.Somearewideandeasy,othersarenarrowandhard.Mychoiceofpathisaquestionofpreferenceandselection.Manyhumanbeingscannotchoosetheirwayofliving.Goddid.AskingforGrace:OLord,teachmeyourways(Ps.25).IaskforinteriorknowledgeoftheLord’swisdom,Hewhoformysakebecameman,thatImayloveandfollowHimmore.Texts:

- Luke2:1-20-TheNativityofJesus:Shewrappedhiminclothsandplacedhiminamanger,becausetherewasnoguestroomavailableforthem.

- Matthew2:13-15-Sohegotup,tookthechildandhismotherduringthenightandleftforEgypt.- Luke2:39-40,51-52–ThehiddenlifeofJesusinNazareth…AndJesusgrewinwisdomandstature,andin

favourwithGodandman.- SpEx.110-117–ContemplationoftheNativity

o …toseethepersons;thatis,toseeOurLadyandJosephandthemaid,and,afterHisBirth,theChildJesus,Imakingmyselfapoorcreatureandawretchofanunworthyslave,lookingatthemandservingthemintheirneeds,withallpossiblerespectandreverence,asifIfoundmyselfpresent;andthentoreflectonmyselfinordertodrawsomeprofit.

o …tolookandconsiderwhattheyaredoing,asgoingajourneyandlabouring,thattheLordmaybeborninthegreatestpoverty;andasaterminationofsomanylabours—ofhunger,ofthirst,ofheatandofcold,ofinjuriesandaffronts—thatHemaydieontheCross;andallthisforme.

Guidelinesforprayer

● IfollowthetextscontemplatingtheNativityand/orthefirstyearsofthelifeofJesus.IreflectonhowJesusChristrevealsGod’spreferenceforthepoor,thehumble,andthesimplelifeinasimplevillage.

● Nazarethisanexampleofahealthyandecologicalenvironment,thekindofenvironmentIseektotaste

simplicityandthevaluesoftheGospel.Itissuchenvironmentsthathealmyanxietiesanddesperatesearchforefficiencytohelpmefindtherightbalance.ItistherethatIfindtheinspirationtobearthedailyroutinebecauseeverysinglethingmakessense.InNazarethImayencounterMaryinsandalsorbarefoot,holdingdeartoherheartthefaceandwordsofhersonJesus.ItistheplaceofthenewWisdomwhereJesusgrew,theschoolwhereJesuslearntthelivinglanguagehebroughttousall.Inshort,itistheplacetogainadivinewayoflooking,thinking,feeling,judging…Igobacktotheplacewhereitallbegan.

● IobserveJesusinhisgrowingprocess.Inthewayhebehavedwithhisfamily,withneighbours,friends,with

theOnehewasgettingtoknowbetterashisFather.Igodeepinsidehisheart,aheartnurturedanonymouslytostrengthenafullwayofbeinghuman-divinefromhischildhoodtohisadolescenceandyoungadulthood.

Colloquy:IfinishwithacolloquywiththeVirginMary,who“keptallthesethingsinherheart”.IsharewithherwhatinmyprayerappearedasGod'spreferencesinthehiddenlifeofJesus.

UAPRetreatDay4

Exercise9

GuidedbytheSpirit

Theimage:OntheplatformIknowwhichtrainIwanttogetonandIknowmydestination,buttherearemomentsinwhichpeople,relationships,wishesandpossessionsunexpectedlycrossmylife.SuddenlyIfindmyselfonadifferenttrainthatisalreadyonitswaytodestinationsIdidn'twanttoreach.

Texts:▪ Matthew4:1-11-ThenJesuswasledbytheSpiritintothewildernesstobetemptedbythedevil.

▪ Luke4:16-21-TheSpiritoftheLordisuponme,becausehehasanointedmetopreachthegospeltothe

poor;hehassentmetohealthebroken-hearted,topreachdeliverancetothecaptives,andrecoveringofsighttotheblind,tosetatlibertythemthatarebruised,topreachtheacceptableyearoftheLord.

▪ Sp.Ex.136-147–MeditationonTwoStandards

▪ Fr.General:PartII:GuidedbytheSpirit

o WearedeeplyconvincedthatthepreferenceswillhelptheapostolicbodyoftheSocietyiftheymaintainaclearunitybetweenlifeandmission;ifweunderstandthemasorientationsthatgobeyond“doingsomething”andenableustoachieveourtransformationaspersons,asreligiouscommunities,andasapostolicworksandinstitutionsinwhichwecollaboratewithotherConsequently,whileeachpreferencepointstosomeimportantaspectofourapostolate,italsoinvitesustorenewourownlivessothatourworkwillbecredibleandeffective(Pg.7)

o Theuniversalapostolicpreferencesseektodeepentheseprocessesofpersonal,communal,andinstitutionalconversion.TheyareorientationsforimprovingboththeapostolicworkofthewholebodyoftheSocietyandthewaysinwhichweaccomplishourministries,inwhichthepreferencesareexpressed.Atthesametime,theyseektohelpJesuitsandourcompanionsinmissiontomaketheirapostoliclivesapathwaytoGod.WewanttoinviteallpeopletofollowthepathopenedupbyJesusofNazareth,apathonwhichweourselvesarewalking,followinginhisfootsteps,encouragedbyhisSpirit.(Pg.8)

o Theyarenotourpreferences.WehavefollowedtheHolySpirit,whohasguidedandinspiredus.(Pg.8)

AskingforGrace:OLord,teachmeyourways(Ps.25).HolySpirit,givemeinsightintotheDECEITSoftheworldandhelpmetostayawayfromthem.GivemeinsightintotheGENUINELIFEthatJesusshowsus.

Guidelinesforprayer● TheUniversalApostolicPreferencesliketheMeditationonTwoStandardsdemandofusaunityofspiritand

action.TheyinviteuspermanentlytoacknowledgewhereweareandtolookagainatthemapoftheroutetofollowthesameSpiritasJesusChrist.

● TemptationswerepresentthroughoutJesus'life,notonlyinthedesert:

o ThetemptationofusingGod'spowerandgiftsforone'sownprofit.Richnessvs.Povertyo Thetemptationoftakingshortcutsinsteadofaccompanyingpeopleintheirlifesituations.Powervs.Serviceo Thetemptationofworshippingothergodsinexchangeforsolutions.Famevs.Humility

● Ibecomeawareofthecombat.Allthosetemptationsor“innerdemons”walkwithusastheywalkedwithJesus

tryingtochangethedirectionofourinnerjourney.Infact,thetextfinishessaying“thedevildepartedfromhimuntilanopportunetime”.Thedevildoesthesamewithus.Whatarethetemptations/deceitsIfaceinlife?Whicharemytemptations/deceitsasIreflectontheUAPs?

● IcontemplateJesusintheSynagogue,hispeaceandsenseofsecurityasheisledbytheHolySpirit.Thegoalof

thejourneythatJesusisproposingarethepoor,thecaptives,thebroken-heartedandallthosesuffering.Theyarehiscompanionsandthegoalofhislifejourney.

TripleColloquy:Colloquy1AcolloquywithOurLady,askinghertoobtainformegracefromherSonandLordthatheacceptsmeunderHisbanner,firstinthehighestspiritualpoverty,butalso,ifHisDivineMajestyrequiresthisandshouldbepleasedtochooseandreceivemeforit,inactualpoverty.Secondly,insufferinginsultsandreproaches,soastoimitateHimmoreclosely,providedonlythatIcansufferthesewithoutsinonthepartofanyotherpersonandwithoutdispleasuretoHisDivineMajestyIendwithaHailMary.Colloquy2ToaskthesameoftheSonthatHemayobtainitformefromtheFather,andthensayanAnimaChristi.Colloquy3ToaskthesameoftheFatherthatHegrantsthisHimself,andsayanOurFather.

UAPRetreatDay5Exercise10

ContemplatingHisLifeTheimage:Aseedisacarrierofafulllifecontainedinaverysmallrecipient.Itneedscareandtimetogrow.Ifjustforonemomentinyourlifeyouhavecontemplatedaseedgrowing,youwillneverforgetthevalueofsmallthings.ThesamehappenswhenwecontemplateJesus.StepsinIgnatianContemplation:1.ChooseaGospeltextforyourprayer.Prepareitbeforeenteringyoursacredspace.

2.Prepareforgospelcontemplationbybeingstillforatime.BeawareofGod'spresencewithinyouandallaroundyou.Withtheeyesofyourheart,'lookatGodlookingatyou'.BeawarethattheSpiritisguidingyouinyourprayer.

3.BeawareofyourselfinthepresenceofGod,yourmoods,yourdesires,yourhopes.OutofthatawarenesstrytofocusonaparticulargracetoaskoftheLordduringyourprayertime.

AskingforGrace:OLord,teachmeyourways(Ps.25).Jesuspleaseshowmewhereisthefulfillingandhappylifetowhichyouareinvitingmeto.Teachmetohaveinteriorknowledgeofyouinordertobetterloveandfollowyou.

4.Readandre-readthegospelpassagelettingitsdetailssettleintoyourmemory.

5.Usingthesensesofyourimagination,seeandhearthesceneinwhichtheeventtakesplace,thepeoplewhoarethere,theirexpression,theirposture,theirwords.Donotbeafraidtoletyourcreativitytakeoverwhenyoudothis.HowyouseeandhearwilloftenbehowtheGospelpassagewilltouchyou.

6.Useyourothersenses(smell,taste,touch)bothliterallyandspiritually.Whatisthetaste,thefeeloftheinteractionsinthestory,andhowdotheytouchyou?Identifywithoneorotherpersoninthestory.Youcancomebacktothestorytimeandtimeagainlivingitinthepositionofotherpersonswithinthetext,includingJesus.

7.Bespontaneous.Enterintoyourownconversationandinteractinyourownwaywiththepersonsinthestory.TheGospelpassagebecomesthebackdropforyourowninvolvementwithJesus.IfatacertainpointyoufeeldrawntobesilentandtosimplyenjoythepresenceofGod,staythere.Donotfeeltheneedtomoveon.TaketimetolistenandhearwhatGodhastosay

8.Gathertogetherthemainstrandsofyourcontemplationandspendafewminutesgivingattentiontothepartinthecontemplationthatmostdeeplymovedyou.Alsobeawareofthosepartsofthecontemplationthathavedisturbedyouorleftyoucold.Thereissomethinginthatforexplorationanothertime.

9.SpeaktotheLordinaspontaneouscolloquy.ConcludewiththeOurFatherorsomeotherfavouriteprayer.

Textsandguidelinesforprayer▪ UAP1-Luke5:1-11-Jesuscallstoworkbesidehim“Putoutintodeepwater,andletdownthenetsforacatch.”

“Don’tbeafraid;fromnowonyouwillfishforpeople.”

o Jesusleadsusoutoftheshoresweknow.Heinvitesustoenterdeeperwaters,tocastthenetwherewehadnotfishedbefore.ItisaninvitationtotrustinGod.

o SpiritualExercisesandDiscernmentarepossibleifwejourneytoourdeepestself.Wearecalledtoofferanalternativetootherseculartrends.

▪ UAP2-Marc6:30-44–Jesusfeedsthepeople.“Yougivethemsomethingtoeat.”“Howmanyloavesdoyou

have?”…Hegavethanksandbroketheloaves.Thenhegavethemtohisdisciplestodistributetothepeople.

o IrecallthegiftsIhavereceivedfromGod,myloavesofbread.IaskJesustofeedother(thepoor,theoutcast,thesufferers…)withthegiftsgiventome.

o WithJesusIcanbeaserverofreconciliationandjusticeintheworld.▪ UAP3-Luke7:11-17–Jesusraisesawidow’sson-WhentheLordsawher,hisheartwentouttoherandhe

said,“Don’tcry.”…“Youngman,Isaytoyou,getup!”

o HumanstoriestouchtheheartofJesus.Whatwasadeadchild,resurrectedasaman.Jesushelpedtomakepossiblethisjourneytocreateahope-filledfutureforhim.

o WithHimwewhattohelpyoungpeoplefeelthemselveslovedandhealed,savedandforgiven.▪ UAP4-Matthew8:23-27-Jesuscalmsthestorm-“Lord,saveus!We’regoingtodrown!”…Hereplied,“Youof

littlefaith,whyareyousoafraid?”Thenhegotupandrebukedthewindsandthewaves,anditwascompletelycalm.

o Weareallinthesameboat(theChurch,thecommonhouse…).SometimesGodseemstobesleep.

Whicharethestormsthatthreatourlifetogether?o Weneedanewrelationshipwiththeenvironment.Wecanlivewithanewhorizon,embracing

Jesus’visionoftheKingdomofGod,ofarenewedandtransformedworldandecosystemwhereweareallbrothersandsisters,responsibletoeachother.

ColloquyDonotforgettofinishyourprayerinagentledialoguewithGod:theFather,theSon,theHolySpiritandconcludewithyourfavouriteprayer:OurFather,AnimaChristi,Psalm23

UAPRetreatDay5Exercise11

TheImageofGodFromtheLastSuppertoGethsemane

Theimage:WeliketolightcandlestopraytoGod.TherearetimeswhendarknessbecomesmoreintenseandwefinditmoredifficulttoseeGodandourbrothersandsisters.ItispreciselyinthisdarknessthatGodrevealsHimselfastheclosestonetooursuffering.However,thisisnoteasytoperceive.SufferingisatheologicalplacewhereonecomestoknowGod.TellmewhatyouthinkabouthumansufferingandIwilltellyoutheimageofGodyouhave.

Texts

▪ Sp.Ex.196-IgnatiusinvitesustoenterinthemysteryofGod:“ConsiderhowDivinityhidesitself”▪ John13:1-17-JesusWashesHisDisciples’Feet

o Havinglovedhisownwhowereintheworld,helovedthemtotheend.o …Sohegotupfromthemeal,tookoffhisouterclothing,andwrappedatowelaroundhis

waist. Afterthat,hepouredwaterintoabasinandbegantowashhisdisciples’feet,dryingthemwiththetowelthatwaswrappedaroundhim.

o “UnlessIwashyou,youhavenopartwithme.”o “IhavesetyouanexamplethatyoushoulddoasIhavedoneforyou.”

▪ JesuspraysatGethsemaneo Mark14:32-40–HetookPeter,JamesandJohnalongwithhim,andhebegantobedeeply

distressedandtroubled. “Mysoulisoverwhelmedwithsorrowtothepointofdeath,”hesaidtothem.“Stayhereandkeepwatch.”

o Luke22:39-45-Hekneltdownandprayed,“Father,ifyouarewilling,takethiscupfromme;yetnotmywill,butyoursbedone.”

AskingforGrace:IasktheLordforthegraceofbeingwithHimandbeingabletoidentifymyselfwiththepainandsufferingthatHeunderwentformeinHisPassion.Guidelinesforprayer

● Contemplatehow“Helovedthemtotheend”.Duringthemeal,Jesusobserveshisdisciplesinsilence.Itisatimeofcontemplation,ofthanksgiving,ofpetition,andofoffering.Helooksatthemonebyone,herecallsthebuildingofthecommunity,afirstandimperfectsignoftheKingdomtocome.

● Jesus“takesadifferentplace”.Heplaceshimselfathiscompanions’feet,invertstherolesand“dis”placesus.Hebecomesoneofmany,lowersanddispossesseshimselfofthisstatusand,withhisgesture,dignifieshisdisciples,andmakesthemreal,andunitesthemwithHewhoserves.WhatplacesorpostsdoIoccupyorhaveinmylife?WithwhatattitudeordispositionhaveIoccupiedtheseplacesorposts?

● Jesusinvitesus:“youaretodoasIhavedoneforyou”.Hewashedthefeetofthetwelve,includingPeterandJudas.PeterinshockreactstoJesus’gesture-hecannotallowtheTeacher“tobeoutofhisplace”and,onceagain,Jesus’replyisastounding.Jesuswantstobeamongthemattheplacehehaschosen.HowdoIacceptthehelpofothers,theirnicegestures,thelessonstheycanteachme?

● IconsiderandimaginetheprayerofJesusinGethsemane.IimaginehowhewouldspeaktotheFatherknowingthatallhisfriendswereabouttoabandonHim..Wheredoeshegetthefaithandassurancefrom?IsthisthewaytobuildtheKingdomofGod?HowdowespreadtheGoodNewsofaGodwhoisFatherwhenitnowentailsconflictandtheriskofdeath?

● AmIabletoprayinmymomentsofanguish,darkness,tirednessandanger?WhatismyimageofGodinthesemoments?Isthereany“angel”tohelpme?IsGodstillthecentreofmyprayer?

ColloquyIsitnexttoJesus,accompanyhim,speaktohimaboutwhatitmeanstosharethismomentofmylife,toreceivehiswill,andtellhimaboutthefeelingsandhopesthatarestirredupinme.PraytogetherwithJesus…OurFather

UAPRetreatDay6Exercise12

TheConsequencesofHisPreferences.ThreeJudgements

Theimage:Thephysicalprincipleofactionandreactionisalsofulfilledintheactionsofourlife.Everyactionhasitsconsequencesandsomearedisproportionate.Similarly,Jesus’actionshadtheirconsequenceswhentheauthoritiessawhimasathreattosocialstability,thepoliticalorderandthereligiousimmobilism.Jesus'preferencesledhimtoactionsthatledhimtothecross.Texts

▪ ReligiousJudgement:o Luke22:70-71-Theyallasked,“AreyouthentheSon

ofGod?”Hereplied,“YousaythatIam.”Thentheysaid,“Whydoweneedanymoretestimony?Wehavehearditfromhisownlips.”

o Luke23:5-Theyinsisted,“HestirsupthepeoplealloverJudeabyhisteaching.HestartedinGalileeandhascomeallthewayhere.”

o Matthew26:57-68-…Thenthehighpriesttorehisclothesandsaid,“Hehasspokenblasphemy!...Whatdoyouthink?”“Heisworthyofdeath,”theyanswered.

▪ PoliticalJudgement:o Mark15:1-15-“WhatshallIdo,then,withtheoneyoucallthekingoftheJews?”Pilateasked

them.“Crucifyhim!”theyshouted.o John19:1-16–“Hereisyourking,”PilatesaidtotheJews.Buttheyshouted,“Takehimaway!Take

himaway!Crucifyhim!”“ShallIcrucifyyourking?”Pilateasked.“WehavenokingbutCaesar,”thechiefpriestsanswered.FinallyPilatehandedhimovertothemtobecrucified.

▪ SocialJudgement:

o Luke23:8-12-WhenHerodsawJesus,hewasgreatlypleased,becauseforalongtimehehadbeenwantingtoseehim.Fromwhathehadheardabouthim,hehopedtoseehimperformasignofsomesort.… ThenHerodandhissoldiersridiculedandmockedhim.

o Matthew2669-75-“ThisfellowwaswithJesusofNazareth.”Hedenieditagain,withanoath:“Idon’tknowtheman!”

AskingforGrace:IasktheLordtogivemetheinteriorknowledgeofthelinkbetweenJesus’preferencesandthepassionheenduredforallofus.Guidelinesforprayer

● BeforeenteringprayerIchoosethetextsthatIamgoingtopraywith.ItrytocontemplateJesusinhistrialsbeforereligious,politicalandsocialtribunals.

o ReligiousJudgement:JesushasblasphemedagainstGod.HehasridiculedtheJewishauthorities.Hehasshownnorespectforthelawandtraditions.AllthiscannotcomefromGod.Hence,hemustdie.

o PoliticalJudgement:JesushasdisturbedtheRomanpeaceandthatofhisgovernor.Pilatedoesnot

wanttolosepoliticalfriendsormoneybytakingJesus'side.HethenseeksanaccusationofrebellionagainstCaesar.IfJesusdeclareshimselfking;Hemustdie.

o SocialJudgement:Jesusremainscompletelyalone.Separatedfromfriendswhodenyhimandsurroundedbyenemieswhomockhim.Herodseeshimasacelebritywhodeceiveshim.Jesusisafraud;Hemustdie.

● ImagineyouwereinatrialandwereJesus'defendinglawyer,trytobringtothestandthewitnessesonJesus'

behalf.Askthosewhowitnessedhisgooddeedstotestify.Thepeoplehehelped,theparableshetaught,hiscoherentlife.Unfortunately,allhisgooddeedsdonotcountintheeyesofthejudgesandauthorities.Similarly,IconsiderthatthroughouthistorythefollowersofJesushaveoftensufferedthesameconsequencesastheMaster.TheUniversalApostolicPreferencesoftheSocietyofJesusareafruitofdiscernment;theyhavebeengiventous.“ThepreferencesareanopportunityforustofeelthatwearetheleastSocietyincollaborationwithothers”:(letterUAPspg.8).Thisworldisnotgoingtoallowit.

o InaworldthatdoesnotwanttohearaboutGod,wewanttomaketheGoodNewsknown.o Inaworldthatprotectsitselffromthepoor,themigrants,theexcluded,wewanttoopenthedoors

tohospitality.o InaworldwhereyoungpeopleliveunderinfinityofmodelsthathijackChristianvalues,wewantto

accompanythemtoafuturewithfaithandhope.o Inaworldwheretheeconomicbenefitcountsmorethantheenvironmentalsustainabilityofthe

planet,wewanttoliveandtakecareofacommonhouseforallhumanity.ColloquyAnimaChristi.SoulofChrist,sanctifyme.BodyofChrist,saveme.BloodofChrist,inebriateme.WaterfromthesideofChrist,washme.PassionofChrist,strengthenme.OGoodJesus,hearme.Withinyourwoundshideme.Permitmenottobeseparatedfromyou.Fromthewickedfoe,defendme.Atthehourofmydeath,callmeandbidmecometoyouThatwithyoursaintsImaypraiseyouForeverandever.Amen.

UAPRetreatDay6Exercise13

TheSevenLastSayingsofJesusontheCross.

Theimage:TheimageofChristinSaintFrancisXavierCastle(13thCentury).ManyJesuitsthroughouthistoryhaveprayedinfrontofthisimage,especiallythemissionarieswhowenttofarawaylandslikeSt.FrancisXavier.LookingathisfacehelpsustofeelbesideChristinhisPassion.Throughouthislife,Jesusopenedhisarmstoembraceallofus.Onthecross,withhisarmswideopen,hereachedthemostvulnerablepositionamancanbein.

AskingforGraceIaskforthegraceofbecomingonewithChrist’sfeelingsonthecross,soastofeelclosertothepainandgriefhesufferedbecauseofus.Textsandguidelinesforprayer:

IgothroughthepassionofChrist,lettingespeciallyChrist’slastsevensayingsonthecrossresoundwithinme.Identifyinghiswordsinmylifeandcontextsasacallforconversionandactioninfavourofthosewhoneedreconciliationandjustice.

● Luke23:34:Father,forgivethem,fortheyknownotwhattheydo.

o Forgiveness:Fortheperpetrators,forthosewhokilltheinnocent,forthosewhokeepquiet,forthosewhodeny,forthosewhohide...

o Jesusforgivesnotbecausewedeserveit,butbecausehebringsmercyandnotrevengeoranger.o Hedoesnotdenyorjustifywhatisunjust;heopensotherwaysevenfromthecross.("without

forgivenessthereisnofuture"DesmondTutu)o Whoarethosethat"don'tknowwhatthey'redoing"intoday’sworld?Whoarethevictimswhoopen

newpaths?● Mark15:34MyGod,MyGod,whyhaveyouforsakenme?

o Psalm22.WeneedGodtotouchwithhisblessingourexperiencesofemptinessandabandonment.o "There’snosolitudeinwhichyoudon'tgrowstrong"(JoséLuisBlancoVega,SJ)o DoyourecallexperiencesofabandonmentandabsenceofGod?Ontheotherhand,calltomind

momentsoffaithandtrust?● Luke23:43:Truly,Isaytoyou,todayyouwillbewithmeinparadise.

o ThegoodthiefseessomethinginJesusthatbringsachangeofheart.IfIwereinhissameposition,wouldIbeabletoshowthesamefaithinJesus?

o Jesuswelcomeshisrequestandopenshisdoorswideopen.God'shearthasaplaceforeveryone.Hewantstoprepareaplaceforus.

o Heisalwaystheshepherdofthelostsheep.● John19:26–27:Woman,beholdyourson.Son,beholdyourmother

o TogetherwithMaryIrememberthesorrowfulmothersofalltimeso OurLadyisthefirstwomanofthenewhumanity.Shehasopenedtousthehomeofthefollowersof

Jesus.o Whoarethemenandwomenwhomaketoday’snewhumanity?

● John19:28:Ithirst.o Jesusknowsthelimitsofhumanthirsto It'sabasicneedthatmakeshimshoutfromthecross.o TheChristianresponse:"Iwillbetheonetoquenchyourthirst"SaintTheresaofCalcutta

● Luke23:46:Father,intothyhandsIcommitmyspirit.

o TheyarewordsofprofoundtrustinGodasasafeplaceinlifeanddeath.o TrustintheFatherisnotsomethingimposed.Itdoesnotgiveprefabricatedanswerstohumanpainbut

allowsustolivetheprocessesofmourning.o WhatarethesituationsofpainthatIleaveinGod'shands?

● John19:30:Itisaccomplished

o Everythingisblessed,everythingisassumed,everythingissaved...inChrist.o Wheneverythinghumanisassumed,theincarnationisfulfilledo Thegrainofwheathasdiedandfallentotheground...fidelitywillbearfruit.

ColloquyAnimaChristi.SoulofChrist,sanctifyme.BodyofChrist,saveme.BloodofChrist,inebriateme.WaterfromthesideofChrist,washme.PassionofChrist,strengthenme.OGoodJesus,hearme.Withinyourwoundshideme.Permitmenottobeseparatedfromyou.Fromthewickedfoe,defendme.Atthehourofmydeath,callmeandbidmecometoyouThatwithyoursaintsImaypraiseyouForeverandever.Amen.

UAPRetreatDay7Exercise14

WordsofResurrection

Theimage:Ibeginthisretreatbyimaginingmylifeoffaithasaflowingriver.ThinkingofthepresenceoftheRisenLordIcannotforgettheimageofthewateroflifethatispresentineverything.AskingforGrace«ToaskforwhatIwant,andhereitwillbetoaskforgracetofeelgladnessandtorejoiceintenselyoverthegreatgloryandjoyofChristOurLord»[SpEx221].Onceagain,thecenterofourprayeristoshareJesus’experience,anexperienceoffullnessandfulfilment.Jesusshouldbethecenterofourlives,notus.Thisde-centeringofourlivesissomethingwemustbearinmindatalltimes. TextsandguidelinesforprayerTheresurrectionofJesusisthePassoverfromdeathtolife.TheresurrectionisanewrelationshipwithGodthatgeneratesamoreauthenticanddeeperlifeforthosewhowanttofollowHim.

o LettherisenLordreachyourlifeashedidwithhisdisciples,withMaryMagdalene,withhisMother...o LetyourselfbefoundthroughJesusinthetomb,inthegarden,inthecenacle,inallthewaysandpathsof

yourlife.o IntheResurrectionofJesustherearewordsoflife.Gothroughthesayingsoftheresurrectionpassagesand

asktheLordtoaccompanyyouinyourjourneyfromdeathtolifewhereveryouneeditmost.Peacebewithyou(fromanxietyanddistresstohopeandpeace)

● Luke24:36-36Whiletheywerestilltalkingaboutthis,Jesushimselfstoodamongthemandsaidtothem,“Peacebewithyou.”

● John20:19-29-AgainJesussaid,“Peacebewithyou!Don’tbeafraid.Fromfeartoapostoliccourage

● Matthew28:10ThenJesussaidtothem,“Donotbeafraid.GoandtellmybrotherstogotoGalilee;theretheywillseeme.”

● Matthew28:20-andsurelyIamwithyoualways,totheveryendoftheage.”Community:Fromindividualismtounity

● John20:17-Goinsteadtomybrothersandtellthem,IamascendingtomyFatherandyourFather,tomyGodandyourGod.

● Luke24:13-33-TheygotupandreturnedatoncetoJerusalem.TheretheyfoundtheElevenandthosewiththem,assembledtogether34andsaying,“Itistrue!TheLordhasrisen.

Mission:Fromdispersiontolivewithamission

● Matthew28:19-20-Thereforegoandmakedisciplesofallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit,andteachingthemtoobeyeverythingIhavecommandedyou.

● Mark16:15Hesaidtothem,“Gointoalltheworldandpreachthegospeltoallcreation.● John21:1-25-Hesaid,“Throwyournetontherightsideoftheboatandyouwillfindsome.”…● John20:19-29-AstheFatherhassentme,Iamsendingyou.”

Discernment:frombeingdistractedtobecentredintheHolySpirit● Luke24:13-33-AndbeginningwithMosesandalltheProphets,heexplainedtothemwhatwassaidinallthe

Scripturesconcerninghimself.● John20:19-29-Andwiththathebreathedonthemandsaid,“ReceivetheHolySpirit.Ifyouforgiveanyone’s

sins,theirsinsareforgiven;ifyoudonotforgivethem,theyarenotforgiven.”…Witnesses:fromsharingsecond-handstoriestobefirst-linetestimonies

● Luke24:45-48-ThenheopenedtheirmindssotheycouldunderstandtheScriptures.Hetoldthem,“Thisiswhatiswritten:…Youarewitnessesofthesethings.

PersonalrelationshipwithGod:Fromdistancetoreconciliationandblessing

● John20:11-18Heaskedher,“Woman,whyareyoucrying?Whoisityouarelookingfor?”…Jesussaidtoher,“Mary.”

● John20:19-29-ThenJesustoldhim,“Becauseyouhaveseenme,youhavebelieved;blessedarethosewhohavenotseenandyethavebelieved.”

● John21:1-25-AgainJesussaid,“SimonsonofJohn,doyouloveme?”Colloquy:ItalktotheRisenLordsharingmyprayer.Whichofhiswordsresonatesmoststronglyinmetoday?andIfinishpraying“TakeLord,receive…”Take,Lord,andreceiveallmyliberty,mymemory,myunderstanding,andmyentirewill,AllIhaveandcallmyown.

Youhavegivenalltome.Toyou,Lord,Ireturnit.

Everythingisyours;dowithitwhatyouwill.Givemeonlyyourloveandyourgrace,thatisenoughforme.

UAPRetreatDay7Exercise15

AllintheSameBoatwithHim

TheimageTheseashorewithJesus.IimaginemycommunityandmyselfduringamomentofrestwiththeLord,sharingthefruitofourwork.Texts:

● John21:1-17○ “I’mgoingouttofish,”SimonPetertoldthem,andtheysaid,“We’llgowithyou.”○ Hecalledouttothem,“Friends,haven’tyouanyfish?”○ Jesuscame,tookthebreadandgaveittothem,anddidthesamewiththefish.○ Jesusaskedhimthethirdtime,“Doyouloveme?”Hesaid,“Lord,youknowallthings;youknowthatIlove

you.”Jesussaid,“Feedmysheep”.

● Fr.General:PartIII:Thenecessarypersonal,communal,andinstitutionalconversion

Receivingthepreferencesmeansthatweinitiatetheirimplementationimmediatelybychanginganystylesoflifeorworkthathindertherenewalofthepersons,communities,andworkscommittedtomission.Weareinspiredbytheresponseofthefirstapostles,whopromptlyabandonedtheirnetsandtheirlivesasfishermeninordertosetoutonthepathofdiscipleshipfollowingJesus.(Pg.8)

Makingourcommunitiesspacesforcommunaldiscernmentwherealifeofprayerisencouraged,theEucharistissharedandspiritualconversationispracticedenablesustosharethegiftofdiscernmentasawayoflettingourselvesbeguidedbytheSpiritinapostolicworksandinallministries.Livingsimply,closetothepoor,awakensthecreativityweneedtodomorewithless,anditgivesgreatercredibilitytoourapostolicworkofferedfreelytoothers.(Pg.9)

Itcorrespondstous,asabodyobedienttotheHolySpirit,toplanwithdiligencetheimplementationofthepreferencesineverydimensionofourlife-mission.Thepreferencesseektounleashaprocessofapostolicrevitalizationandcreativitythatmakesusbetterservantsofreconciliationandjustice.(Pg.9)

Letusundertakethisprocess,designingitandassessingitinaccordwithpersons,times,andplacesinthelightoftheChurch’sorientationsandtheSpirit’sguidance.(Pg.10)

● SaintIgnatius:"Loveoughttomanifestitselfmorebydeedsthanbywords."ContemplationtoAttainLove-SpiritualExercises230-237

AskingforGraceIaskGodfortheinteriorknowledgeofsuchgreatgoodreceived,sothat,beingmovedtoprofoundgratitude,me,mycommunityandprovincemaybeabletoloveandserveHisDivineMajestyinallthings.

Guidelinesforprayer

● ReadtheGospeltextandimaginethescene.ContemplatethewayJesus,throughHisresurrection,gathersthecommunityofdisciplesaroundthework,theEucharistandthepersonalrelationshipwitheachoneofus.

● LikeSt.PetertherearetimeswhenwejumpintothewatertolookforJesus,butthentherearetimeswhenwegetdistractedcounting153fishwhenJesusisbesideus.ThenewapproachtotheUAPsfocusesnoton“action”,buton“conversion”thatleadstoaction.AretheredistractionsinourpersonalandcommunitylifewhichwecanworkontoembracetheconversionthattheUAPsaskofus?

● ReadthethirdpartofFr.General'sletterandimaginepossiblestepswhichcouldhelpourcommunityto

shareinthespiritualpaththathasopeneditselftouswiththeUAPs.

● OnlyrecognitionandgratitudeforsomuchgoodreceivedcanhelpustofollowJesusclosely.Morethanthreetimeswewillaskourselvesif,inspiteofeverything,weloveHim;andHewillcontinuegivingusamissionsaying"feedmysheep".

Colloquy:ConversationwithGodPresenttotheRisenLordyourlightsandshadows,yourcertaintiesanddistractions,bothinpersonalandcommunitylife,andaskforthegracetolivetheconversionthatenablesustoparticipateinChrist'smission.AsktheintercessionofOurLadytohelpusremainclosetoHerSoninthedevelopmentoftheUAPs.

UAPRetreatDay8Exercise16

AttainingLoveTheimageIsaiah49:17Thosewhobuildyougofasterthanthosewhodemolishyou.Sp.Ex.230-231.First,loveoughttomanifestitselfmorebydeedsthanbywords.Second,loveconsistsinamutualcommunicationbetweentwopersons.Thatis,theonewholovesgivesandcommunicatestothebelovedwhatheorshehas,orapartofwhatonehasorcanhave;andthebelovedinreturndoesthesametothelover.Thus,iftheonehasknowledge,onegivesittotheotherwhodoesnot,andsimilarlyinregardtohonorsorrichesAskingforGraceToaskfortheinteriorknowledgeofallthegoodnessIhavereceived,inorderthat,stirredtoprofoundgratitude,Imaybeabletoloveandserveinallthings.Textsandguidelinesforprayer:

● Sp.Ex230-237–FollowtheIgnatiancontemplationsteps.○ God’smemory(SE234).Todiscoverourhistoryoutoflove:LovedbytheOnewhohasgivenmelife

(creation).Lovedbyhiminthisorthatoccasion(andalways)ashehasalwaysbeen“mySaviour”(redemption).

○ God’sdwelling(SE235).Hedoesnotonlygrantusthegift,butHispresence.Loveisneverfaraway.Itisfollowingthenotion,“I’llbewithyou”,asJesussaidmanytimes.

○ God’slaborsandwork(SE236).Hedoesnotonlygrantusgiftsanddwellsinallofus,butHeisdoingsoforme.Rememberwithloveallthosepeoplewhohavegivenyouagiftthattheyhavemadethinkingaboutyou.

○ Allisagift(SE237).“Allthegoodthingsandgiftsdescendfromabove”.ThereisnoothersourceofgoodnessbutGodandwhatHegivesmeisapartofHimself,“justastherayscomedownfromthesun,ortherainsfromtheirsource...”;forthisreason,thereistheemotionofthosewhoseeyesareenlightenedfromtheheart.GodisdescendingsothatthesmallestmaybeatHisheight.

○ TakeLordReceive…

● Psalm13-God’sWorkinCreationandinHistory○ GivethankstotheLord,forheisgood,forhissteadfastloveenduresforever.

▪ Irewritethepsalmofmylife.Idomyownreadingasabelieverofmylastdays,months,years...▪ Igivethanksforthesuccessesandforthestrength,butImightalsowanttoconsiderbeing

gratefulformyweaknessesandapparentfailures

● Deuteronomy8:7-18–BlesstheLordforthegoodlandgiventoyou.o FortheLordyourGodisbringingyouintoagoodland…o TakecarethatyoudonotforgettheLordyourGod…

▪ IfacethetemptationofforgettingwhenIdwellinthePromisedLand.▪ AlwaysremembertheOnewhogaveyoustrengthtoreachyourwealth.

Contemplativeway:Thetenleppers-Luke17:11-19

○ Thenoneofthem,whenhesawthathewashealed,turnedback,praisingGodwithaloudvoice.HeprostratedhimselfatJesus’feetandthankedhim.AndhewasaSamaritan.ThenJesusasked,“Werenottenmadeclean?Buttheothernine,wherearethey?WasnoneofthemfoundtoreturnandgivepraisetoGodexceptthisforeigner?”Thenhesaidtohim,“Getupandgoonyourway;yourfaithhasmadeyouwell.”▪ Wherearetheothernine?WhereareyouwhenyoufeeltheactionofGod?AmIoneofthose

nineattimes?Letmeaskforconversion.▪ FeeltheasymmetrybeforeGodatthemomentofthankingandworshippinghim.▪ LearnfromtheSamaritans,foreigners,andtheonesinshadows.▪ Yourgratefulfaithleadsyoutoanewwayoflivinginthankfulness

ColloquyLetyourheartpouroutachantasareplytoallthegoodreceived:TAKE,LORD,ANDRECEIVE...

UAPRetreatDay8

Exercise17

AnExerciseofReform

1. Iaskforahumble,pureandfreeattitude.Theimagenowistheimageofmyselfattheenoftheretreat:Myownimage.

Ringthebellsthatstillcanring Forgetyourperfectoffering Thereisacrackineverything That’showthelightgetsin.(LeonardCohen)

2. Ireadthereviewingprayers.IseetheoriginanddirectionofthosemomentsinwhichIhaveexperiencedconsolation,inner peace, calmness, spiritual harmony, light… I alsofocus on those moments in which I have experienceddesolation,anxiety,obscurity,lackofhope…

3. IwritedowninafewwordsatitleforallmyexperienceoftheExercisesupuntilnow,somethingexpressingthecoreofthesedays.IcouldrecallatextfromtheGospelinwhichthat nuclear aspect is well depicted, or simply a passagethathasbeenmoremeaningfultomeduringthesedays.

4. I remember as a given gift the action verbs of the fourUniversalApostolicPreferences:

• ShowingthewaytoGodthroughtheSpiritualExercisesanddiscernment

• Walkingwiththeexcluded.Walkwiththepoor,theoutcastsoftheworld,thosewhosedignityhasbeenviolated,inamissionofreconciliationandjustice.

• Journeyingwithyouth.Accompanyingyoungpeopleinthecreationofahope-filledfuture.

• Caring for our common home. Collaboratewith Gospel depth, for the protection and renewal ofGod’sCreation.

5. WhichattitudesshouldIdeepenintotomakethetitlebecomemorerealinmylifeaccordingtotheUAPs?Iput3,andthentake justone.Forexample:simplicity,cleanness,honesty,unionwithGod, trust,patience,mission, letmyselfbe loved,attention,community,masteringmytime,beingclosertothesufferingoftheworld,help,respect…

6. WhichmeanscouldIput?Ilookforthepossible,nottheimpossible;theordinary,nottheextraordinary,thesimple,notthecomplex…Forexample,prayer,bemorewithpeople,community,personalaccompaniment,dutiesathome,dailyexam,sacraments…Butanymeanshastobespecifictobeevaluated:vaguenessleadstoreformnothing.

7. Colloquy. Ioffer ittotheLordandseekconfirmation.TheThirdandFourthWeeksaremomentsespeciallyadequatetoconfirmoradaptthereform.

TheReformisnothingmore–orless–thanthewayGodencouragesustocarrytheExercisestooureverydaylife

PrayfromgratitudeandforgratitudeKeepthisrecipeforyourlife:

- Toknowwhatisgoodistoacknowledgewhohasshownittoyouandgivenittoyou.- Gratitudeisaspontaneousandlearnableattitude.- Gratitudecanbechoseninthefaceofattitudesofcomplaintorresentment.Butbewareofhurtingyourself:

youcanalsorecognizewhatisunjustandcomplainaboutit.AskGodtohealyourexperienceoftime:

- Facedwiththeunhealthynostalgiaofthepast…showgratitude- Inthefaceofunnecessaryanguishforthefuture...showgratitude

AskGodtomatureinyourspirituallifeandinacceptingsuccessandfailurealike

- Inconsolation,whenprideandself-sufficiencyappear,whenthereisariskofscepticismandnotneedingGod...insistongratitude

- Indesolation,whenweseeandfeelnothing,wecancomplain,whilelookingforsourcesoftrustandgratitudeallalong.

- Insuccess:"ThankyouLordforwithyoueverythingwouldhavebeenmuchbetter"- Infailure:"ThankyouLordforwithoutyouallthiswouldhavebeenmuchworse"

Gratitudeasthemosthumanlyhealthyrootofourcommitment

o Thinkingisthanking.(DenkenistDanken)–MartinHeideggero ToloveanotherpersonistoseethefaceofGod.VictorHugo,LesMiserables

PsalmsofGratitudeYourrighthandsustainsme;Youstoopdowntomakemegreat.Youmaderoomformysteps.(Psalm18)BlessedbetheLord,forhehasheardmyvoiceasIpleadformercy.TheLordismystrengthandmyshield;inhimmyhearttrusts.Iamsustained,andmyheartleapsforjoy,andwithmysongIpraisehim.(Psalm28)BlessedbetheLord,whoseunfailingloveformewaswonderful…InsuddenalarmIsaid,‘Iamshutoutfromyoursight’;ButyouheardmypleawhenIcalledtoyouforhelp.(Psalm31)Ishallpraiseyou…forourunfailingloveisashighastheheavens;yourfaithfulnessreachestheskies.(Psalm57)ThusallmylifeIblessyou…Icallyoutomindmybedandmeditateonyouinthenightwatches,

foryouhavebeenmyhelpandIamsafeintheshadowofyourwings.Ifollowyoucloselyandyourighthandupholdsme.(Psalm63)Ishallpraiseyou,LordmyGod,withallmyheart.Andgivehonourtoyournameforever.Foryourlovetowardsmeisgreat,andyouhaverescuedmefromthedepthsofSheol.(Psalm86)ItisgoodtogivethankstotheLord…Todeclareyourloveinthemorningandyourfaithfulnesseverynight…Youracts,Lord,fillmewithexultation;Ishoutintriumphatyourmightydeeds.Howgreatareyourdeeds,Lord,Howverydeepareyourthoughts!(Psalm92)BlesstheLord,mysoul,andforgetnoneofhisbenefits.Hepardonsallmywrongdoingsandhealsallmyills.Herescuesmefromdeath’spitandcrownsmewithloveandcompassion.Hesatisfiesmewithallgoodintheprimeoflife.(Psalm103)