Facing Our Immortality Support Group Call
- Call Uber Conference at 720-735-7025 or
- Online at uberconference.com/facingourimmortality
Opening Prayer:
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
The Paradox Of True Power
One of the worst experiences we encounter in life is the feeling of powerlessness in the face of evident evil. In the Old Testament, from Genesis through Exodus, David and the Kings, to the time of Christ, God’s people knew their dependence on the Lord’s omnipotence, and freely implored His mighty interventions. Joshua, outnumbered 5 to 1, yet assured a victory by the Lord, asked Him to hold the sun and moon still so they could finish the battle in daylight, and the Lord obliged, suspending the movements of the heavenly bodies for a day so that it lasted well beyond its normal time. (Joshua 10 )
Perhaps we are now in a time where a full awareness and confidence in God’s power is precisely what we need. We live in the illusion that we have power because of all the marvels of the modern age. But often we find ourselves at the mercy of forces we cannot control.
More than ever, we must see that the most powerful force in the universe abides among us, hidden in our Chapels, in our tabernacles, and even within our very selves. If the physical, moral, psychological and spiritual universe were to show signs of collapse, we would always have a safe refuge in our all-powerful God. The Catechism notes “to confess this power has great bearing on our lives.” (CCC#268)
But there is a paradox. This power which is so near and accessible to us is most fully operative in human weakness. This is clearly seen in Jesus, Who endured the depths of human weakness and apparent defeat. Yet, at the same time, the fullness of Divine power coursed through Jesus for the Redemption of all mankind.
Our Lady testifies to God’s power also by making one of the most beautiful declarations of God’s might at work in human history all throughout her Magnificat. “He who is mighty has done great things for me…”. “He casts down the mighty, feeds the hungry, sends the rich away empty…”. (Luke 1:46-55) St. Paul knows this secret too! “I glory in my weakness,” he says, “so that the power of Christ may rest upon me”. (2Cor 12:9)
We are all going to feel our powerlessness at some point as the future continues to unfold and the battle between good and evil intensifies. We will need God more than ever.
We may face multiple Goliaths, Red Seas, famine, war, betrayal, chaos, or more subtle assaults of darkness. But unwavering reliance on God’s supreme power will change the outcome of every threat and guarantee peace of soul no matter what comes.
Please reflect in silence for 5-10 minutes on the following questions.
- What is your experience of powerlessness? Share a time or two when you felt utterly powerless in the face of something.
- Why do you think God is allowing us to experience our powerlessness now, especially as a nation in the face of our current challenges?
- The grand stories of the Old Testament are so inspiring but in many ways they don’t seem real to the age we live in. We tend to think we can take care of things or that we will eventually find the answer, yet many answers continue to evade us. What wisdom of God is at work in the way He moves with us today?
- In your own life, where has God shown you your utter dependence on Him? Where do you resist being dependent on Him? It is easy to say we are dependent on Him when on examination we find we really are not expecting that God will help us in any kind of way, let alone a mighty way.
After each person shares their personal and spiritual reflection, the group discussion can begin. Please allow all reflections to be offered without comment or judgement. God Bless you
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life.
Amen.
Please follow us on You Tube. Domus Trinitatis Retreat Center has created a daily Gospel reflection to nourish your soul on a daily basis.
Peace and Blessings from Sr Anne Marie Walsh and Denise Archuleta
Facing Our Immortality 