5 Minute Retreat: Radical Goodness, Radical Love

A reading from Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

[Silent Reflection]

A reading from John 15:12
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

[Silent Reflection]

A reading from Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

[Silent Reflection]

A word from Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Only Necessary Thing
The longer I live, the more I am aware of my sinfulness, faithlessness, lack of courage, narrow-mindedness; the more I feel the surging waves of greed, lust, violence and indignation roaring in my innermost self. Growing older has not made life with God easier. In fact, it has become harder to experience God's presence, to feel God's love, to taste God's goodness, to touch God's caring hands.

Oh, how much do I pray that God will let me know through all my senses that God's love is more real than my sins and my cowardice, how much do I want to see the light in darkness, and how much do I wait for the day that God will order the surging waves to calm down, and how much do I wait to hear God's voice, which says: "Why are you afraid, child of little faith? I am with you always."

[Silent Reflection]

God of goodness, light, and love, thank you for all that you are, and all that you made us to be. Grant us the faith to believe your promise that you will never leave or forsake us. Hear now our praise and our petitions.

[Intentions]

Our Father...

Submitted by Ann Primus Berends