And so, I explained to them about the essence of the Glorious Mysteries and that we would be praying individually, slowly, chewing and chopping each word and each mystery, reflecting on them, while walking slowly and separately around the grounds of the retreat venue.
It was a very beautiful experience. They were such a wonderful sight to see. At times, some sat on a rock or stair step, pause in front a tree, or the image of Mama Mary, look up on the sky, then continue walking slowly again, holding the Rosary.
The time I gave them was 6:30 - 7:00 a.m., just in time for breakfast, though I anticipated that it may took them 45 minutes to do that because some may even be led to linger to staying in God's Presence after the Rosary. Oh, yes, it happened. They were in the dining area 7:15 a.m., there two by 7:30 a.m. They appreciated the experience.
After breakfast, as I wait for our gathering time, I reflected on my own experience in our morning prayer and wrote in my journal:
* As we started, I went to a gazebo and wanted to stay there and sit down as I pray. You see my right foot has a handicap from polio and I use a cane to walk. I didn't know if I can walk easily on the paths I would encounter since I would be alone. But the morning was oozing with God's Presence and I couldn't say no to His invitation to me. So I decided to get out of my comfort zone and slowly walked around while praying. I was glad I did......My comfort zones hold me back. They make me stagnant and prevent me to experience new and beautiful things in life.
* I pause from time to time, I look up, I look around and I also looked down. I saw new things, beautiful and not so beautiful ones, fresh plants and withered ones and cut trunks......Life is like that. It is given, there are good and bad sides so I have to accept everything and always look at the bright side to live happily.
* Along my path, I saw two stairs. I wanted to go up in both to see what was beyond, but as I assess the steps, I would not make it on my own, they were not cemented, not flat and there were no handrails. I could if I had somebody with me......In living my life and in my journey, I have to admit I have my limitations and that I need the help of people. I am not super human and only God can do everything. I have to be humble enough to admit my weaknesses and accept help from others.
* I came to an y-intercessection. One path where I came from, another would lead me towards the dining area, my destination and another would seem to take me further away with longer walk and I didn't know where it would lead me, but it was beautiful. I took the chance and walked on the latter path. It was just a short distance, a dead end, but with an open area, with an image of Mama Mary in the middle. I saw one retreatant seated near the image and praying. One was standing in the midst of our distance and was also praying. I was happy to see them quietly praying with reverence......Jesus wants me to be happy. He leads me to have site seeing in my journey in life to see the beauty of it. He surprises me with what is there and gives me the joy of His Presence in others as well as in His Mother.
* I went back to the y-intersection and took the path going to the dining area, my destination. But as I walked further, I remembered seeing the area from the hallway above. Oh, there will be a stair ahead, that was the only way I could proceed. I hesitated and thought of tracing back the path where I came from. But that would take me longer and more tiring for me. If I would take the stair, it would be harder for me but a shorter distance. So I decided to check out the stairs. It was cemented, there was a handrail though on the right side, but I could take it and I did......Sometimes in life, I think I can’t do something because I foresee or see the blocks, but if I do not check it out first and take the risks how can I know that I truly cannot do it, most especially if I am walking through it with God and He is the One leading me?
* I remembered, as I packed my things before I went down for our morning prayer, I saw my excess clothes that I didn’t use. They just made my bag heavy, then the disciples of Jesus crossed my mind at that moment when they were sent two by two and was instructed by Jesus to bring nothing but their walking stick, not even an extra shirt…...Sometimes, I tend to bring more than I should for my own comfort. In life, there are things I think I need, but only to find out, they are just wants that I can live without. Or I bring things from my past that I should have let go long time ago because they are just extra baggage and they just burden me when I can travel my life light if I just leave them behind.
A journey is a path strolled with God from one area to another. As long as I remain in God as I travel, there is nothing to worry nor be afraid about….
What God inspired me to see as I reflected on my morning prayer experience is not only a lesson for me, but for everybody journeying in life. I pray God also touches your hearts and reflect on your own on these inspirations based on your own life. Always stay happy with God. Never leave Him out of your journey in life. Life is beautiful in spite of the certain circumstances we experience. We just have to look at them through the eyes of God. This can happen, if we humbly choose to let Jesus teach us to stay a child to the Father and allow growth in our relationship with Him. God bless your homes!
-luisadelacruz
