A REFRESHING RETREAT AT AMPLEFORTH ABBEY, YORKSHIRE, UK.
(Christ in you, your hope of future glory )
PART TWO:
A monastery is always kinder and more appealing like an oasis, every now and then.
Where has the love of God led you!
He chose us before the foundation of the world!
We are walking tabernacles, spiritual monstrances – not because of what we do but because of what God is doing and has done in our lives – His embracing love.
Like Fr (Cardinal) Simone of Albania, like Fr Walter Ciszek’s With God in Russia –
Suffering is inevitable and can be cruel and brutal beyond words!
Where has the love of God led you and me in the sufferings of our and others’ lives?
Suffering is a fact, misery is a choice. We can choose how to suffer.
Only love can make sense of suffering!
We and many want to be healed. We believe that Jesus can heal us.
Blessed be Jesus in the Poorest of the poor!
Christ in you, your hope of future glory.
The Divine Project of Benedict XVI!
It’s all inside us – plastic bags of hidden drugs, wounds, hurts as well as the seeds of eternity, grace, Holy Spirit and Divine Love.
Inside us is both eternity and the endless strife or rubbish – heat, smell…
We, whom Christ has delivered from the dominion of darkness.
I want to encounter Christ anew. I want to encounter mercy, healing, love, peace, joy…
We can stand in Jesus’s shoes to proclaim the Kingdom of God, the heal the sick, cast out demons, raise the dead, cleanse lepers and cure the blind.
Light shines in the darkness and darkness has not overcome it.
Our worst enemy, the one whose task and mission is to make sure we fail and never reach our destiny in life is the devil – the father of lies, the accuser, the divider.
Our worst enemy seeks to frighten or deflate us everyday –
The smoke of satan even in the Church –
Not just a comic figure or a symbol or an idea but a person (Pope Francis)
The demonic masks in the new age practices and philosophies deceive, divide, divert and discourage.
Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might – with faith, forgiveness, renunciation, command, blessing and Mother Mary.
Put on the full armour of helmet, breastplate, shield and sandals.
Beware which piece of armour you leave off and become vulnerable.
Every disciple of Jesus is a target of the devil and needs to be spiritually strong with ongoing conversion and penance.
A healthy lifestyle and diet is better than medication in combating any ailment.
Our infinite sadness can only be cured by an infinite love.
The Power and Presence of God
We live and move on with the blessings of grace, peace and healing.
We are already delivered and transformed by God and more so everyday.
We are called to give people what Jesus gave them – real miracles, real healing.
We are more like in Apostolic times – so we live our lives close to the Heart of Christ.
A monastery is always kinder and more appealing like an oasis, every now and then.
Thanks to the Abbot for deep wealth, wisdom, inspiration, passion and depth.
Emmanuel Mbeh, July 2025.
