A Recap of our Church Retreat
by Yanelis Lopez. Associate Director
One of the most exciting times at our church is our spiritual retreat each year. Due to covid, we had to postpone it for two years, but finally, the first weekend of this month, we were able to spend time together drawing closer to Jesus.
The focus in our retreat was: “Love - the main spiritual discipline”
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” 1 John 4:20
It is so easy to see in the scriptures how everything revolves around Love... Every teaching of Jesus and every action he took was focused on better loving others. Jesus taught that this is the greatest expression of love for the Father.
Learning to love others will take us a lifetime. If God is infinite, then his love is infinite as well.
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:8
If God is deep, then his love is deep as well. If we are intentional in seeking God, we must be that intentional in seeking to grow in love. It is impossible to seek God and not seek out how to better love everyone (friends, strangers and even enemies.)
This time together during our retreat challenged me in my own life. I have been meditating and getting rid of everything that prevents me from seeing others through the correct lens (LOVE). I am left vulnerable in front of this word and concept. I acknowledge that I still have a lot to learn, but I am extremely grateful that Jesus has “simplified” everything in these two verses:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:36-40
