I wrote this retreat on simplicity in 2001. These ten sessions are the beginning of a new series here on living a simple life. I hope these sessions open you to the foundations of living a life of simplicity, learning what is essential from the inside out, a process of faith and prayer. The essence of simplicity rests in our deep faith experience of the Paschal Mystery. All things die. New life emerges. This pattern is the element of God’s creating plan. Jesus’ dying and rising reveals the brevity of life. We cannot ultimately possess or control life. Life is a great gift given from our loving Creator. I hope you enjoy this seventh session. You may download the entire series here:

 Simplicity:  Loving, Living, Serving by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C. (Fatima Retreat Center, 2001) Continue reading →

I wrote this retreat on simplicity in 2001. These ten sessions are the beginning of a new series here on living a simple life. I hope these sessions open you to the foundations of living a life of simplicity, learning what is essential from the inside out, a process of faith and prayer. The essence of simplicity rests in our deep faith experience of the Paschal Mystery. All things die. New life emerges. This pattern is the element of God’s creating plan. Jesus’ dying and rising reveals the brevity of life. We cannot ultimately possess or control life. Life is a great gift given from our loving Creator. I hope you enjoy this seventh session. You may download the entire series here:

 Simplicity:  Loving, Living, Serving by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C. (Fatima Retreat Center, 2001) Continue reading →

I wrote this retreat on simplicity in 2001. These ten sessions are the beginning of a new series here on living a simple life. I hope these sessions open you to the foundations of living a life of simplicity, learning what is essential from the inside out, a process of faith and prayer. The essence of simplicity rests in our deep faith experience of the Paschal Mystery. All things die. New life emerges. This pattern is the element of God’s creating plan. Jesus’ dying and rising reveals the brevity of life. We cannot ultimately possess or control life. Life is a great gift given from our loving Creator. I hope you enjoy this sixth session. You may download the entire series here:

 Simplicity:  Loving, Living, Serving by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C. (Fatima Retreat Center, 2001)

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Session Six: Let go of the past

Theme:

• To love, live and serve God, we recognize the treasures and the turmoils of the past. We open our eyes and emotions to what has been and truly recognize all as gift from the Holy Creator.
• The treasures and turmoils cannot always be divided into separate and neat categories. Loss has its way of opening us to receive. Pain can give way to acceptance. Separation often can prepare us for relationships and love.
• Living simply is clearly seeing and believing what we cling to; what holds us back from receiving life as it is. Living life as it is can open us to make changes and accept our selves as recipients of God’s grace.

Scripture:

• What have you done is put aside your old self with its past deeds and put on a new person. Colossians: 3
• Jesus said, “Get up, pick up your sleeping mat and walk.” The man was cured at once, and he picked up his mat and walked away. John: 5
• And he said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of people.” And they left their nets at once and followed him.  Matthew: 4
• Yahweh, you remain forever; each generation in turn remembers you!  Psalm: 102
• What we have heard for ourselves, and what our ancestors have told us, must not be withheld from their descendants, but be handed on by us to the next generation. Psalm: 78

Prayer:

O God of my ancestors, in your care I have walked the path of life until today. With me I bring turmoils and treasures. The turmoils, that hinder my heart from receiving new life now, of regret and un-lived opportunities, of anger from wondering if I have chosen the right path, of rage for the love I thought I should have received from those who loved me, of a path cluttered with broken dreams and “what-ifs.” And then there is today, you have stopped me in my tracks. I cannot continue holding on. Lord, receive all that is within me! And now I have come to see all as treasure. Walk with me to newness of life, where burdens burst into gratitude, where turmoil gives way to the treasure of your presence.  Amen

Response:

• Today, the hardest thing for me to let go of is______________________.
• Concerning relationships, I need to let go of ___________________________.
• The greatest treasure from the past has been __________________________.
• Through the grace of living today, I can let go of ________________________.
• My closets, drawers and cabinets are so full of the past, I know I need _____________.
• God, help me, today, to receive _______________________.

I wrote this retreat on simplicity in 2001. These ten sessions are the beginning of a new series here on living a simple life. I hope these sessions open you to the foundations of living a life of simplicity, learning what is essential from the inside out, a process of faith and prayer. The essence of simplicity rests in our deep faith experience of the Paschal Mystery. All things die. New life emerges. This pattern is the element of God’s creating plan. Jesus’ dying and rising reveals the brevity of life. We cannot ultimately possess or control life. Life is a great gift given from our loving Creator. I hope you enjoy this fifth session. You may download the entire series here:

 Simplicity:  Loving, Living, Serving by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C. (Fatima Retreat Center, 2001)

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Session Five: Learn from your heart

Theme:

• Jesus asks of us two things before we die, to learn how to receive love and how to give love.
• Love nurtures the spiritual life and we learn from an integrated experience of life. The heart becomes the center of how we live, why we live and for whom we live.
• Heart knowledge is the beginning of our reliance on the Holy, an experience of conversion. Human growth and love can not be limited to the mind alone.

Scripture:

• I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you; I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead. Ezekiel: 36
  
• And for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation. 2 Corinthians
• He will exult with joy over you, he will renew you by his love. Zephaniah 
• Teach us to count how few days we have and so gain wisdom of heart. Psalm 90
• The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.  Psalm 34

Prayer:

How often, O God, I am my own worst enemy. I forge ahead thinking I am in control of everything! I pretend I know what is right, holy and good. And then I find myself against another brick wall! Spirit of God, continue to show me the ways of my self-reliance and reveal to my heart the true course of life. You are the teacher of the heart, the Master of Love and slowly I am beginning to discover the ways of learning something new. In mind, body, heart create in me your image of love. Amen

Response:

• I must gain simple perspective on my life to _____________________________.
• Sometimes I can not trust my heart because _____________________________.
• Those who have formed by heart in the past are __________________________.
• The times when I make decisions with a balanced perspective, I _____________.
• God is teaching me to listen to my heart through __________________________.

I wrote this retreat on simplicity in 2001. These ten sessions are the beginning of a new series here on living a simple life. I hope these sessions open you to the foundations of living a life of simplicity, learning what is essential from the inside out, a process of faith and prayer. The essence of simplicity rests in our deep faith experience of the Paschal Mystery. All things die. New life emerges. This pattern is the element of God’s creating plan. Jesus’ dying and rising reveals the brevity of life. We cannot ultimately possess or control life. Life is a great gift given from our loving Creator. I hope you enjoy this fourth session. You may download the entire series here:

 Simplicity:  Loving, Living, Serving by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C. (Fatima Retreat Center, 2001)

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Session Four: Let Your Situation Form You

Theme:

• A loving and passionate God is offering us daily bread, a grace which nourishes us in the place where we live life. Our work, relationships, friendships, the place and city in which we live, all speak to us of how we are to love, live and serve in the world.
• Often in our relationships or other events when things do not go according to our plan we want to flee or change them immediately. God may be offering a grace that takes a new way of seeing.
• Revelation of love and hope comes from the simple places and events in our daily routine. Life as it is may be forming us into loving, compassionate people.

Scripture:

• I am sure of this much; that he who has begun the good work in you will carry it through to completion. Philippians: 1
• My love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be broken. Isaiah: 54
• There is cause for rejoicing here. 1Peter: 1
• Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Matthew:11
• You have nothing whatever to fear from him! Get up! He is calling you. Mark:10

Prayer:

In you alone, O God, I take my shelter and find my peace. Spirit of the Loving God, receive me in this day and place. All of my past has led me here, my mistakes, failures, dreads, hardships, loves and desires. Release the illusions that blind me from seeing your plan and acknowledging your presence. Create in me a simple heart so I may provide a dwelling for your presence. In the name of the Risen One, forever. Amen

Response:

• God has a plan for me and I need to be awakened to see___________.
• I need to let go of control in the area of __________________________.
• God is trying to teach me ____________________________________.
• God is calling me through me relationships to be __________________.
• The best way I can serve the Lord and the church is ________________.

I wrote this retreat on simplicity in 2001. These ten sessions are the beginning of a new series here on living a simple life. I hope these sessions open you to the foundations of living a life of simplicity, learning what is essential from the inside out, a process of faith and prayer. The essence of simplicity rests in our deep faith experience of the Paschal Mystery. All things die. New life emerges. This pattern is the element of God’s creating plan. Jesus’ dying and rising reveals the brevity of life. We cannot ultimately possess or control life. Life is a great gift given from our loving Creator. I hope you enjoy this third session. You may download the entire series here:

 Simplicity:  Loving, Living, Serving by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C. (Fatima Retreat Center, 2001)

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Session Two: Your Life is Enough

Theme:

• What do you see when you look at yourself in the mirror? Would you rather be some one else? Or have a different past? Or have different relationships? Or other talents and gifts? Or different fears or concerns? Do you see yourself as an image of the Holy?
• To simply find God is to see clearly the gift of your life. You mirror the Holy. You are enough. You have been made and are continuing to be made in God’s image.
• To find the energy of God, to seek refreshment and grace, to know reconciliation and wholeness is not to apologize for who you are. No matter where you have been or where you are going, you are enough.

Scripture:

• Jesus said, “He is speaking to you now.”      John: 9
• We are truly his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to lead the life of good deeds which God prepared for us in advance.                                               Ephesians: 2
• …persevere in running the race which lies ahead; let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who inspires and perfects our faith.                                         Hebrews: 12
• It was not you who chose me, it was I who chose you.         John:15
• I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.    Psalm:34

Prayer: 

God of my entirety, as I seek you, there are days I want to run from my mistakes, from all the regrets of my past, from the turmoil of hidden secrets, from the confusion of broken relationships. Gentle Spirit, give me a peaceful soul to rest in the assurance of your life within me, my mistakes, my joys, my fears and my talents. As I seek to serve, I bring all I have and all is your gift. Amen

Response:

• Review your mistakes of the past.
• Relive the fractured relationships of the past.
• Receive the grace from your divided life.
• Remember your regrets and disappointments.
• Realize your unique relationship with God.
• Reclaim the truth of your life, your desires, your hopes.

I wrote this retreat on simplicity in 2001. These ten sessions are the beginning of a new series here on living a simple life. I hope these sessions open you to the foundations of living a life of simplicity, learning what is essential from the inside out, a process of faith and prayer. The essence of simplicity rests in our deep faith experience of the Paschal Mystery. All things die. New life emerges. This pattern is the element of God’s creating plan. Jesus’ dying and rising reveals the brevity of life. We cannot ultimately possess or control life. Life is a great gift given from our loving Creator. I hope you enjoy this second session. You may download the entire series here:

 Simplicity:  Loving, Living, Serving by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C. (Fatima Retreat Center, 2001)

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Session Two: Cultivate Desire

Theme:

• At the center and core of each human life is a passion for life and for God. To live honestly and simply is to direct our desires in love.
• Our desires for activity, money, possessions, food, control, power and sex inflame the ego and can render our lives empty and anxious.
• True desire comes from God. We cultivate a desire for God because we know we are not God. The truth of being human is rooted in a passionate relationship with God and we orient our lives toward the Holy, the God who is creating us.

Scripture:

• The people were full of anticipation, wondering in their hearts…Luke: 3
• …continue, my dear ones, to stand firm in the Lord.    Philippians: 3
• See! I will bring Spirit into you that you may come to life.     Ezekiel: 37
• Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.   Isaiah: 49

Prayer: 

God of my longing and source of true peace, guard me from relying on my own ways, on my own thoughts of what is right. When my desires for possessions, places, people and purpose fill my heart, create in me a reliance for your life-giving Spirit. Nothing can replace your love. No one can fill me with hope. No object can make me happy. You change everything, as I direct my heart toward you, God of all my life. Amen

Response:

• As I look honestly at my life, my desires have led me___________________________.
• My heart’s desire shows me ______________________________________________.
• God, I turn toward you because ____________________________________________.
• My life has lacked passion and real motivation because I ________________________.
• God, you are leading me toward ____________________________________________.
• My prayer, lately, has been ________________________________________________.

I wrote this retreat on simplicity in 2001. These ten sessions are the beginning of a new series here on living a simple life. I hope these sessions open you to the foundations of living a life of simplicity, learning what is essential from the inside out, a process of faith and prayer. The essence of simplicity rests in our deep faith experience of the Paschal Mystery. All things die. New life emerges. This pattern is the element of God’s creating plan. Jesus’ dying and rising reveals the brevity of life. We cannot ultimately possess or control life. Life is a great gift given from our loving Creator. I hope you enjoy this first session.

 Simplicity:  Loving, Living, Serving by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C. (Fatima Retreat Center, 2001)

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Session One: Become Silent

Theme:

• Silence purifies our motives, our emotions, our actions, our concerns and our passions to create a heart-space for acknowledgement and reliance on a power greater than us.
• The silent heart is the path of the true self, a discovery of simplicity and what is really real.
• Fill your life with noise and happiness leaps away from you and anxiety and frustration forms your life and relationships.
• Silence readies the heart for love, true conviction. Desire and hope are birthed in the silent hours.

Scripture:

• While he was praying, his face changed in appearance and his clothes became dazzling white…Luke:9
• Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord. Psalm: 27
• “no, the water I give shall become a fountain within you leaping up to provide eternal life.” John: 4
  
• “anyone committed to the truth hears my voice.” John: 18
• May Christ strengthen you inwardly through the working of the Spirit. Ephesians: 3
• Hope will not leave us disappointed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts. Romans: 5

Prayer: 

O Source of Life, from your creating breath I remain in your Spirit. My silent breathing this day becomes a place of honor, to receive, to love, to remind me of your desire to live within me. Still the rhythms of my life, calm my fear. I am overwhelmed by work and busy-ness, relationships, children, schedules and I am afraid to sit still. In silent hours, allow me to face myself and discover your wanting me. I sit and wait. I listen. I long. I hope and believe in you alone. Amen

Response:

• My experience with silence has been____________________________.
• Silence makes me feel _______________________________________.
• My excuses not to be silent are _________________________________.
• In silence, I ________________________________________________.
• In silence, God _____________________________________________.