The eight members of the Ruach Foundation held a retreat in Astrid’s home on 3rd April. The meeting was led by a Jesuit priest.
Such meetings help to strengthen our bonds through fellowship and shared spirituality. We are aware of His presence, He lives in us and He moves us forward in our mission.
We started with a long time for contemplation using three bible texts:
- Acts 4:32-37. This text about the very first Christian communities is a model for our work.
- 1 Cor 12:12-21. We also are one body with different members. Each member has a unique role. We depend on each other and we live with faith in God who invites us to complete His creation,
- John 21: 15-19 During Easter Jesus shows us what real love is: “If you truly love me, then take care of and feed my sheep.”
After the contemplation all the participants shared something, for example a bible text, a poem or a song that had inspired them to care for people in their surroundings.
A healthy lunch energized us to delve deeper into our hopes and dreams, doubts and fears, needs and talents. Together we discovered ‘coincidences’, gained new insights into our differences, and into the scope for further reflection, meditation and understanding of each other.
We closed the day with a prayer of gratitude for the meeting.
Carmen