Lenten Retreat: March 15, 2014

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by Anna Chapman - Chapel Community Member

“Movement from Sin and Alienation to Healing and Wholeness in Christ” was the theme of the one-day Lenten retreat this year. The day was marked by three major presentations, interspersed with group reflections, Q&A sessions, personal quiet times, opportunities for individual spiritual direction, and an excellent lunch. Those who attended were invited to reflect on biblical texts, other texts and commentaries, and visual images as aids to an expanded understanding of healing in the context of our journey with Christ.

Sister Rebecca discussed the various meanings of the words wholeness, healing, connectedness, and repentance as they have changed through history and in different languages and cultures, and showed how the “contemplative eye” can reconcile the tension between our everyday concerns and the hidden aspects of the Holy.  Brother Stavros elaborated on the role of our faith and its relation to becoming whole, in a series of texts and images both ancient and very modern, often with pertinent touches of humor. Brother David presented a method, with some hands-on practice, by which we can uncover our woundedness and reach a better understanding of its sources, as a route toward forgiveness and growth in wholeness.

All three presentations showed healing to be not only physical, not only psychological or spiritual, but an integration of all these aspects of ourselves—and moreover attainable through practice in prayer, contemplation, consultation with helpers, and trust in the ever-available grace of God.

The day ended in the Holy Wisdom Church with Vigil, which incorporated an Anointing service: the Gospel book was held aloft by two tall individuals as each participant passed under it on the way toward anointing on forehead and hands by one of the priests, while songs of healing were sung by the choir.

Throughout the day, each participant was accompanied by a small but potent image of healing, which adorned the retreat agenda and therefore sprang into view with each glance at the time schedule. The image showed a very early icon of Christ with the suffering woman who made her way through a dense crowd and reached out in desperation to touch the hem of his clothing. She was completely filled with faith that this mere touch would heal her twelve-year flow of blood—a faith that was justified, as he declared to her: “Your faith has made you whole.”

Of course, a summary like this cannot come close to conveying the full flavor of the retreat experience itself. If you have never attended a Spring or Fall retreat at New Skete, consider doing so the next time one is offered (advance notice will appear on the website). You’ll be in the good company of others on the journey, guided by experienced monastics who know its perils and rewards.

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