iCrucified

I have just returned from a mini-retreat of silence and solitude. This time is meant to brush the clutter from my brain and free myself from the tyranny of the day with a primary purpose of maintaining my relationship with God as a life priority. This is one of the disciplines that had become neglected in my life and I have made a commitment to schedule this time regularly each month. Sabbath had become neglected as well, and thus far this year, I have succeeded in honoring this time weekly with Him. This was my first scheduled retreat of the year and I must say that is was not only much needed, but well received.

I don’t generally enter these times with a set agenda. I will take some devotional material, my Bible, journal, and my guitar. I like to spend time in meditation and reflection; I find in that quiet space, I am most often to “hear” God speak. It has also been my experience that Holy Spirit brings to remembrance things that I may have missed in conversation with others, times when my attitude might be testy that I might not have noticed, and the names of people that He would like me to pray for…

I think, during the course of the normal day, I often do not catch all the subtle nudges and quiet whispers of Holy Spirit. I would love to say that I do, but I know I don’t. Simply put, my mind just gets overwhelmed with the “to-do lists” of the day. I don’t think I’m alone in my experience of this phenomenon and it is exactly why Sabbath and regularly attended S/S retreats should be a part of every disciple’s spiritual discipline.

So, here are a few thoughts and meditations that bridled my attentions the past 24hrs.

Micah 6:8 -”O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: To do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (See Micah 6:1-8 for full context)

Theodore of Mopsuestia on Love of God and Neighbor: Forget about burnt offerings, countless sacrifices and oblations of firstborn, he is saying. IF you are concerned to appease the divinity, practice what God ordered you in the beginning through Moses. What in fact is that? To deliver air judgment and decision in all cases where you have to choose better from worse, to continue giving evidence of all possible love and fellow-feeling to your neighbor, and be ready to put into practice what is pleasing to God in every way. He means, in short, “You will love God with all your heart, all your mind and all your soul, and you will love your neighbor as yourself,” as was said of old through Moses. Do this, he is saying, as something preferable to sacrifices in God’s eyes. Commentary on Micah 6:6-8

“You ask what you should offer: offer yourself. For what else does the Lord seek of you but you? Because of all earthly creatures he has made nothing better than you, he seeks yourself from yourself, because you have lost yourself.” Augustine -Sermon 48.2

Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?  Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.  Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.  Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the LORD, and keep their promises even when it hurts.  Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever. Psalm 15:1-5