Deepening the relationship

The first reading for this talks is Mark, chapter 8 vv 27-30 

Christ asks "who do people say I am?" 

Peter's answer - "you are the Christ"


What is our own response? 


The purpose of retreat is to deepen relationship with Christ. 

This is very clearly put in the prayer of St Richard of Chichister



Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits which you have given us,
for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us.
Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother,
may we know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
day by day.


Pope Francis has said that the first fruit of being close to Jesus is an abiding sense of joy in the life we have been given.
Read first paragraphs of Evangelii Gaudium - no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.

Joy is letting nothing come between Jesus and you - spell joy as JOU as a reminder! 

Teresa of Avila - struggled for many years with the life of prayer, having problems with the structured prayer of her day. The penny dropped when she realised that " prayer is the sharing of intimacy between friends' - friendship was the key. She said "we can cope with everything provided only that we have. You, Christ Jesus, living within us as our friend and affectionate guide. You help and strengthen us, you never desert us, and you are true and sincere in your friendship."

John of the Cross - whole life shaped by memories of his parents. His father reduced his own rank and embraced the poverty of his beloved wife so that they could marry. The essence of John is passionate love, and when speaking of God's love for us, he wrote in the language of passion. "In perfect love this law holds, that the lover becomes like the one that he loves." He also said "there are depths to be discovered in Christ Jesus, he is like a mine containing rich treasure and no matter how much you try to fathom them the end is not reached. Rather you discover here and there new veins of new riches" 

St Paul - when you read St Paul, you know that Christ exists.  "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,  rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (Colossians 2 v 6-7) is a powerful image of living in union with Christ, sinking roots deep into him.