K. C. retreat

The road to salvation - The March 6 retreat in Luling was attended by over 50 men. It was held in Holy Family’s multi-purpose building, which features this mural by local artist Bob Bourg.

Over 50 men lay their burden down at one-day retreat

The March 6 retreat for men that was sponsored by Luling Knights of Columbus Council 9933 included praying of the rosary, insight by Msgr. Robert Guste, singing, and reconciliation. What follows are one retreatant’s notes from Msgr. Guste’s four lectures over the course of the day. To fully appreciate the message of the retreat, read each statement slowly and reflect upon it deeply before moving on.

OUR COMMITMENT TO JESUS

We men have to get over the macho image. It’s not weakness to admit that we need God.

There’s a difference between just believing in Jesus' divinity and letting Him make a difference in your life.

Can you talk about your relationship with Christ? In all relationships, there is a need to communicate.

We can each say that everything that Jesus did, He did for ME. This is how much He loves me, even if I were the only person in the world.

There is a prayer we can use throughout the day that acknowledges the divinity of Christ and our need for Him: “Jesus, Son of the living God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

We’re afraid of what Christ might ask of us if we tell Him or allow Him to be the lord of our life. We know that He whatever He would tell us would not be bad.

PRAYER

Prayer is one of the simplest things in the world, but it often gets overlooked.

Your personal daily prayer time can start with a simple decision to be quiet for 10 minutes to listen and talk to God. Once you attain the discipline, you may want to increase the duration.

Prayer should not just be “asking” God for things. One memory aid is to think of the word “ALTAR”.

We don’t need visions or sounds to hear God’s guidance in the silence of our hearts.

When we pray with our spouse or our friends, we bond with them in a special way.

What follows is a technique we can use to get into a quiet time with God. Pause a bit after each step.

Sit up straight, with your feet flat and aligned.
Put your hands on your lap, palms up signifying your openness to His word.
Let your whole body relax.
Picture the tension actually draining out of your feet.
Let your feet relax.
Let your legs relax.
Let your back relax.
You are in the arms of God.
Let your neck relax.
With the tips of your fingers, press your eyes closed.
Return your hands to your lap and feel the breeze on your fingertips.
Strain your ears to hear some distant sound, maybe the sound of a bird singing.
Breathe deeply, slowly, and rhythmically.
Take all of your inner joys and concerns, and picture putting them in a sack.
Put the sack at the feet of Jesus however you choose to picture Him - on the cross or otherwise.
Release the sack.
Lay that burden down.
Back away.
Breathe deeply, slowly.
Look up at him, and let Him look at you.
Say his name.
“Jesus Christ.”
Repeat it.
“Jesus Christ.”
”Jesus Christ.”
”Jesus Christ.”
“I bring my burden to you.”
”I release it to you.”
”I open my heart to you.”
”I listen to you.”
Listen.

COMMITMENT TO THE CHURCH

We should read the Bible and other spiritual reading every day.

Just because you don’t know the answer to a question about your faith doesn’t mean that there is not an answer to that question or that maybe you’re part of the wrong religion. The more you can learn about your religion (or any topic), the better. Msgr. Guste has a radio ministry at 6:30 AM each day, and “Catholic Answers” comes on at 3:00 and 8:00 PM; both are on radio station VOG 600 AM. You can also call 1-800-MY-FAITH to speak with a person one-on-one and ask any question about the Church, between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

The Catholic Church is the only one that began with Jesus, St. Peter, and the apostles.

Jesus said “I will be with you always.”

If we only accept Jesus but not the Church, we haven’t accepted all of God’s plan.

The books that were selected for the New Testament were decided upon by the Catholic Church. They must all be understood in the light of what has been taught and practiced in the Catholic Church.

RECONCILIATION

Part of the Church’s mission is the forgiveness of sins. Jesus told his disciples, “'Receive the Holy Spirit, for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven, for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.”[John 20:23]

Some non-Catholics realize the virtues and graces of our sacrament of reconciliation even more than we do.

Someone who values the teachings and love of Christ will use any means - including frequent confession - to attain them.

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