Welcome to the Parable Retreat

“Lighting Candles of Peace”


A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 11: 5-8

Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.' And suppose the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him the bread because of friendship, he will do so because of his persistence and give him as much as he needs.

Sweet Darkness
David Whyte   (House of Belonging)

When your eyes are tired
The world is tired
When your vision has gone
no part of the world can find you.
Time to go into the dark
where the night has eyes
to recognize its own
There you can be sure
You are not beyond love.
The dark will be your womb tonight.

The night will give you a horizon
further then you can see.
You must learn one thing.
the world was made to be free in.

Give up all the other worlds
except the one to which you belong.
Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet
confinement of your aloneness
to learn
anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive
Is too small for you.

Questions for Reflection

What caught your attention in the scripture passage?
 
Do you see a connection between the poem and the  Scriptures?

Can you name the ordinary ways you have experienced God giving you daily bread during this pandemic?

During these days, what opportunities have you had to be a friend with bread for another?
(In preparation for your prayer group please have a piece of bread. a candle and matches)