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Jesus took the brave road of love as he walked to the cross…What would crucifixion have meant to those living in his time, in 1stC Palestine, a land occupied by the brutal Roman state? Was does the sign of the cross mean? How are the cross and resurrection seen in Johns’ Gospel? And what of French philosopher Rene Girard’s compelling seeing of the cross as showing God taking the position of the scapegoat, a plea to stop violence? What of Theologian Paul Tillich’s understanding of the new being and resurrection? What are you seeing and encountering when you gaze at the cross and the resurrection? In this Easter season, through a variety of methods e.g. paintings, contemplative prayer, ancient and modern wisdom we will explore, reflect on and discuss the meaning of these central life-changing signs of the cross and the resurrection.

We will follow Jesus’ footsteps into the silence of the wilderness and attend to a Gospel text outlining this journey…

We will then explore ways of praying emerging from this wilderness experience, prayer that addresses the mind, emotions, silence etc.

Going deeper into our own prayer, retreatants will have the choice whether to enter the stillness through a slow motion mindfulness walk around their own home / outside or to sit still and pray through a finger labyrinth.

Out of Jesus’ wilderness experience came a vision of freedom (see Luke 4):  “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

We will consider how action can be grounded in silent prayer.

The retreat will include presentation, music, looking at paintings, various ways of praying and discussion etc.

We will follow Jesus’ footsteps into the silence of the wilderness and attend to a Gospel text outlining this journey…

We will then explore ways of praying emerging from this wilderness experience, prayer that addresses the mind, emotions, silence etc.

Going deeper into our own prayer, retreatants will have the choice whether to enter the stillness through a slow motion mindfulness walk around their own home / outside or to sit still and pray through a finger labyrinth.

Out of Jesus’ wilderness experience came a vision of freedom (see Luke 4):  “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

We will consider how action can be grounded in silent prayer.

The retreat will include presentation, music, looking at paintings, various ways of praying and discussion etc.

PRACTISING THE PRESENCE OF GOD | A very practical seeking out of the wisdom of the delightful Carmelite Brother Lawrence as we explore what it means to pray and experience God as the ‘centre of rest’.