Mini-retreat: Healing Through Thankfulness

From the Desk of Father David

Dear Friends in Christ,

             This Friday is our next mini-retreat.  The theme is Healing Through Thankfulness.  It will begin at 7 pm and conclude at 8:30.  The New Testament call us to give thanks always.  There has been much research in recent years that prove when people are thankful they are healthier physically, mentally, and spiritually.  A grateful heart helps us to see God is present with us even in difficult situations.  We don’t thank God for the difficult time, we thank God for the goodness He is or will bring out of this difficult situation or just for getting us through it.  Faith that tells us that all will be well, even when our feelings are saying the opposite.

Remember at the time of Jesus, people were not sure that there was life after death.  In today’s Gospel the Sadducees have come to the conclusion that there can not be life after death.  Therefore they present their argument in story form.  Instead of an argument, Jesus simply reminds his listeners that faith tells them that eternal life is possible. Throughout the Old Testament there are verses that imply there is life after death by the way God refers to Himself – I am the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, I am the God of the living not the dead.  The great gift of faith goes beyond feelings and knowledge. Faith is were the heart trusts God will keep His promise to be with us and take care of us always.

Attending our mini-retreat is a wonderful way of deepening your faith and at the same time building up each other in prayer.  I hope to see you on Friday. 

Almighty God we are thankful for the wonderful ways You take care of us and for those you bring into our lives.  Please help us to show our gratitude by the way we share a smile or lend a helping and to those we meet.

In Christ,

Fr. David