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5 min
For a long time now, the Lord has been giving us the opportunity to take part in spiritual retreats. Every year, the number of participants continues to grow. We must give thanks to God for this, as such a large number is also a sign of the vitality of a Christian community. ‘The word of God continued to spread, the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith’ (Acts 6:7). This consistency and growth also reflect the wonders and signs that God performs during these retreats. We need only mention the healings, the inner liberations, the reconciliations between members of the same family, the forgiveness granted, the answered prayers and, above all, the conversions that bring participants back to God and to a commitment to the Church. Often, those who attend the retreat with an open heart leave feeling at peace and filled with joy. Many learn to pray and read the Bible by attending a retreat. We have never ceased to be amazed, beyond our wildest expectations, by the work of the Holy Spirit during these retreats.
Whenever we have the opportunity to take part in a retreat, let us give thanks to God and thank Him for this gift. Being able to take part in a retreat is a sign of God’s love. God loves us. He gives us life and material blessings. In addition to other spiritual gifts, He grants us the grace to experience retreats. For, sadly, many people do not have the opportunity to experience spiritual retreats. This may be due to a lack of financial means for travel and accommodation. Consequently, thousands of people will die without ever having attended a retreat. Thousands more men and women, although they have the financial means, may never take part in a retreat because they are unaware of its benefits. We, to whom the Lord has given this gift, must share it. In the spiritual life, what I receive is not merely a personal blessing; it must also be put at the service of others. If God grants me the grace to recognise and understand the need for retreats, I have a duty to help others experience this wonderful opportunity. Sharing this brings joy, for ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35).
Personally, I was unaware of the benefits of retreats. I used to wonder why people would withdraw for several days to pray. I thought a retreat would be a boring experience. I hesitated a great deal before agreeing to take part in a retreat. Yet by the end of it, I didn’t want to go home. I had received so much joy, so much peace and so many unforgettable graces. That is why retreats have already become a necessity in my life. Every time I take part in a retreat, I feel revitalised in my relationship with Jesus. But I have also decided to help others to experience this wonderful journey.
The Bible is full of passages that call on us to share our faith (Mt 28:18–20; 2 Tim 4:1–8; 1 Cor 9:16). There are people who tell themselves they cannot stand in a church or in the middle of the road to evangelise. Yet there are many opportunities available that can enable us to help others encounter Christ. One such opportunity is to help people take part in a retreat. I know men and women who go to great lengths to ensure that their partners, children and other family members take part in retreats. Others invite their friends, neighbours or work colleagues. There are also those who contribute financially by paying for the retreat for those they invite, so that they cannot use a lack of funds as an excuse. Some even support the group by paying for potential participants they do not know who might be short of money but have a keen desire to attend the retreat. Sometimes, on a birthday or at a celebration, we buy a lovely present for someone to whom we wish to show our love. Offering a retreat is a great sign of love because, in doing so, we give the person the opportunity to have a profound experience of Jesus – for their own good, and for the good of the world and the Church. For those who are godparents, the retreat is an opportunity to help their godchildren. If we have someone dear to us, let’s give them the chance to experience a retreat. It will be a wonderful gift we offer them. A gift that helps them receive eternal life. One day in heaven, people will thank us for having helped them to love Christ more deeply. But above all, Jesus will be pleased with us for having contributed to the salvation of his people (cf. Lk 15:10). May each one of us set about helping many people to experience retreats. In this way, we give them an opportunity to encounter Jesus and to strengthen their friendship with Him. This, too, is what it means to evangelise.
Henri Bayemi
