Some things easier to see after dark on Manresa campus
| As darkness falls - This statue in front of Xavier Hall at Manresa is illuminated at sunset. “It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.” [Luke 6:12] | |||
Retreat is perfect setting for reflection
“We keep making the same mistakes over and over. We worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship.” I was taken aback by this opening statement by retreat master Deacon Bob Furlow at Manresa this year. “Not me,” I silently insisted. “My work is strictly business. My recreation comes as it may. And there is nothing that I put before God!” Later, as a blanket of darkness tucked the moss-draped oaks in for the evening, I began to settle in to “retreat mode” and strolled the beautiful dimly-lit campus, reflecting again upon Deacon Bob’s intentionally challenging statement. But there at Manresa, minus the deadlines and demands of my job, the homage I pay to my career the rest of the year was much easier to see. In a retreat setting that provides all the beauty, comfort, and tranquillity I could ever hope for, the insured effort that I put into gaining such pleasures each day back home was much more clear. And as I attended daily Mass, read the Bible, and prayed each morning, noon and night with the other retreatants, I realized the many opportunities to do so that I waste on a daily basis. There under the darkened oak alleys of Manresa, some things were easier to see than in full daylight. For the next three days - and nights - I would have the luxury of seeing them for what they are.