Aaron reflected on Day one HERE, Lori reflected on Day two HERE, and now the newest member of the PP&G team, Josh Hilburn, offers thoughts about Day three…
Day 3: Our Future, Together
Wednesday morning is one of my favorite times on retreat. From the communal examen to the circle conversations, the entire morning really centers on the question “how are you returning?”
I was invited into this same reflection at my first Pastors, Priests, and Guides retreat last summer in Philadelphia. As Aaron invited the group to consider how we were returning my mind was racing with words and ideas, but as is normal for me I couldn’t quite pinpoint how I was feeling. I opened the notes app on my phone and hoped that by typing I might locate how I was feeling. Instead all I typed were these two words: I’m alive. I was returning alive.
As my work and involvement with Pastors, Priests, and guides has continued I’ve come to see Wednesday as the day of life. The room is always buzzing as if the delight from Tuesday night is still spilling out and over. This was true again in Chicago. Before any word had been spoken into the microphone the room was LIVELY.
We began the morning with an Communal Examen from Fr. Michael. He gently walked us through each movement of the retreat and invited us to reflect how the Spirit might be moving through us.
Aaron then invited me to share my story and how Pastors, Priests, and Guides is envisioning the future. I hope I get to share some of that vision with you personally soon, but here’s the summary:
“I know the weight of being a tired and lonely spiritual leader, and I don’t want anyone to have to carry that alone. I am so passionate about this work, and I am excited to raise money through local churches, individuals, and foundations across the country to ensure no spiritual leader has to walk in the wilderness alone. I hope you’ll join us in that work!”
Circle Conversations and Re-imagining
After the group held my story and invitation with so much love, we moved into circle conversations. Again, the room was alive. While sharing in my circle I looked around and made note of the number of people in the room physically leaning in to their circle. A true posture of participation. We ended the circle conversations with the full group coming back to together and sharing what came out of our individual circles.
How are We Returning?
After lunch Aaron invited us to consider how we were returning, and after a short time of reflection many of us spoke aloud 3 new words. The transformation from Monday to Wednesday was palpable. There was resurrection in the room.
Nina then shared a beautiful sending message on Jesus and the ascension, encouraging us to ‘stay woke’ by echoing the question of the angels to the disciples in Acts 1, “why are you standing here staring in the sky?”
Finally Fr. Michael closed our time with a sending prayer. In full transparency I do not remember a single phrase he uttered, but I know I felt simultaneously held and released. What a gift!
If you were on retreat with us in Chicago, I hope you left feeling full of life. I know I did! Three questions…
What came alive in you on retreat?
Do you remember what you wrote down when you were invited to reflect on how you were returning?
Is there anything you’re still holding close from your time on retreat?
In this together,
Josh
P.S. we just opened registration for the One Day retreat in NYC! Click on the link below to learn all about it! Hope you can join us.
What a transformative experience this retreat was, and yes on Wednesday we were all buzzing and honestly I didn’t want it to end. I am still processing so much that unfolded in my heart. I think that’s part of what came alive for me. I realized how much I had shut down and closed off my heart due to….well living in the world and some personal
pain I have been experiencing. Through the three days I felt like I was broken open to allow love to flow through it again. Not only was it a safe place for me, with rest and retreat, it also opened a door to hope again. I felt called to start The Ignatian Journey and have completed the first week. Just WOW. I am back on the road again, moving forward in my spiritual journey. So grateful for all of you!