Retreat in Thônes 1st to 6th April 2019
Since 2016, a retreat has been given every year in the Community of Thônes. This year, it was led by Father Jean-Claude Sancey.
Theme: The Voice of Christ in the Psalms
Introduction to St Augustine: The voice of Christ can be heard in all psalms, whether singing or moaning, rejoicing in hope or sighing at the present situation.
A Retreat is a special moment in the meeting of God's desire for me and my own desire.
Ps 62 (63): "God, you my God, I seek you, my soul is thirsty for you... »
My thirst for God.
Jesus is thirsty to meet us and his Father.
Three key moments in which Christ's thirst to meet us is expressed:
at the crib, on the cross and in the Eucharist.
Ps 39 (40): "I hoped in Yahweh, with great hope, He leaned towards me... »
The Coming of Christ
This psalm describes the inner dispositions of Christ entering the world.
He is in a prayer dialogue with his Father. "Here I am to do your will."
The human answer.
- Being a humble star that leads to Christ
- In the Samaritan, see an encounter that turned her into a missionary disciple.
God does not impose himself. "Here I stand at the door... "Ap. 3.20
Ps 118 (119): "Ah, how happy those of blameless life who walk in the Law ofYahweh.... »
Jesus Christ, Wisdom of God.
The Torah is not seen as a set of permissions and prohibitions, but as an expression of God's will.
Ps 18 (19): "The heavens tell the glory of God... »
The law becomes a person to follow.Jesus fulfils the law by simplifying, unifying and personalizing.
Ps 2: "Why this uproar among the nations? Why this vain muttering of the peoples?... »
Royal Psalm.The first Christian Community reread, in this psalm, the whole mystery of Christ. She is interested in three passages:
ü The Conspiracy of Nations
ü Divine parentage
ü Power over Nations - (Resurrection)Following Christ in his Passion:
The Gospels clearly emphasize the rooting, in the psalms, of Christ's sufferings,
Ps 40 (41): "Blessed are those who think of the poor and the weak... »
Betrayal during his farewell meal.
Ps 41-42 (42-43): "Like a deer longing for living water... »
Prayer in the garden of olive trees.
Ps 109 (110): "The Lord’s revelation to my master: Sit on my right... »
During the trial.
Ps 21 (22): "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Jesus would have said the whole psalm.
The Acts of the Apostles focus everything on the Resurrection that creates the Church:
Ps 15 (16): "Look after me, O God, I take shelter in you... »
Makes us hear the voice of the Risen One.
Ps 109 (110): Already mentioned Royal Psalm.
Ps 117 (118): "Alleluia! Praise Yahweh all peoples... »
The paschal message par excellence.
ü Taken up by the crowd at the entrance of Jesus in Jerusalem, as anticipation of the Resurrection.
ü Quoted by Jesus: The rejected stone....
ü Sung with the Apostles at the Last Supper, Holy Thursday.
This Retreat, preached in a new way, for some, was accessible to all, thanks to its simple and personal presentation. Our thanks to, Father Sancey. May he be rewarded!
Sr Cecilia JOND, a retreatant and the Sisters of Thônes