“Your word was my delight and the joy of my heart”
Jeremiah 15:16
Duns Scotus Bible Centre
Lenten Retreat held on 8 March 2014
There were 55 participants in attendance at the Duns Scotus Bible Centre and 16 participants joined in through skype......
There were 55 participants in attendance at the Duns Scotus Bible Centre and 9 participants joined in through skype from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at the Retreat. All were in unison in listening to the Word of God and in prayers on the Stations of the Cross and the recitation of the Holy Rosary. The Retreat was conducted in English. Participants were made to realize that there were occasions of 40 days and 40 nights, which was the length of the Lenten season, found in the Bible, e.g. in the Book of the Exodus 24:18, and 34:28 where Moses stayed 40 days and 40 nights on the mountain eating no bread, drinking no water to await for God to give him the 2 tablets of the 10 commandments. During these times Moses was able to encounter God and to get closer to Him. There were 3 talks when participants were asked to reflect on: What did this period of 40 days and 40 nights meant to them? Could they use this time to have a deepening relationship with God. The following points were raised for consideration:
(i) letting go-it was a time to purge, to cleanse. They were asked to reflect on "Who am I now in this present day" and "What is your state" bearing in mind that we were all sinners in front of God.
(ii) enlightenment-Christian life was a journey. In our journey since last Lent "Have I become stagnant". "What is my relationship with God" and "Am I afraid of the future".
(iii) unity with God-new encounters, new roads, new commitments to get closer to God. We need to say "yes" to more human co-operation and participation in our faith, to fully appreciate and be thankful for all the bountiful blessings that we have received from Him.
A Retreat is a time of prayerful reflection, a time to set aside quiet moments to be spent only with God. Amidst the bustling activities in the busy areas of Causeway Bay and Wanchai it is not easy to get away. The Duns Scotus Bible Centre offers just such a place for solace and calm. We were thankful that this Retreat offered all the participants a 3 hour "desert" experience in their busy lives.