“I consent to the Divine Presence and action within.” With these words on our heart, a group of us moved through a weekend of silent retreat, punctuated by intentional sitting and walking meditation together. All of us in some manner, though expressed differently, came desiring to open and deepen in our life in the Spirit.
Given I had such a full plate of work, it seemed a bit odd that I would choose to spend this many days essentially being still and “doing nothing.” Experience though has taught me that this is exactly where I need to be when caught up in much going on. Silent retreat and centering prayer remind me of my inherent being in God and enable me, in deep trust, to engage from that place.
In today’s gospel, a prominent religious leader, Nicodemus, comes in the dark of night to visit Jesus.* He has seen what Jesus has been doing, and is drawn to the light of God’s Presence he believes is at work here. He wants to learn more, but as Jesus so often does with those before him, he puzzles with his answers, encouraging us to go deeper on our journey of faith. Jesus invites Nicodemus to trust and live from his spiritual heart.
We are born of flesh and also born of Spirit. Perhaps life’s greatest work is to grow in our awareness of this perplexing yet awesome gift and responsibility. We can practice attuning to the Spirit within to allow God’s joy, compassion, mercy, and grace to flow through us.
I encourage you this Lenten season to be still in silence. Find a community to join with. Pray to be open and available to God’s Presence and vision. It may seem like nothing happens, but I trust that we are being transformed in the image and likeness of Christ—for ultimate human fulfillment and in a way others will see.
–Trish Stefanik, Overlook Retreat House at Dayspring
