This online retreat is ending in one sense. In another, it will continue in the way it has changed our lives.

Unlike a retreat to a retreat house, we didn't retreat from our everyday lives.  The path before us will be shaped by what new patterns we have developed through these exercises.  During this final week, we want to identify the patterns we desire and choose the path before us.

The Prayer to Begin Each Day, which was at the top of the list of prayers offered each week, gives a sense of our ongoing prayer:

 "May all that I am today, all that I try to do today, may all my encounters, reflections, even the frustrations and failings, all place my life in your hands.   Lord, my life is in your hands.  Please, let this day give you praise." 

We owe the inspiration for this retreat to Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) and the author of the Spiritual Exercises.  He has been our guide in recognizing God's invitation to freedom, God's mercy, God's plan to save us, God's invitation that we join Jesus in his mission, and God's grace in allowing us to come to know, love and desire to serve with Jesus most intimately.  After guiding people through these exercises, Ignatius would sometimes receive letters complaining that it was difficult to be contemplative in the midst of a busy life.  He would always answer that it was more important to be contemplatives in the midst of action.  He explained that for those who had found intimacy with God in prayer, it would be easy to find intimacy with God in all things.  He always included one qualifying addition: if they continued to die to self-love and act against whatever tempted them away from freedom to love of others.

As we go through each day this week, let us ask:

• How do I want to keep naming my desires before God?
• How can I keep focused, in the background times?
• What patterns do I choose to make a habit?
• Which ones will I choose to be free from?
• Who, and in what ways, will I love as I have been loved?
• What will "dying to self-love" mean for me?
• What choices does living with and in Jesus lead me to?
• about my current and future life goals?
• about my lifestyle?
• about my relationships?
• about my solidarity with, and concern and care for the poor?

If you haven't filled out the response form to the right, please do so.  It can be completely anonymous, without even a trace of e-mail address.

So many asked us to continue some weekly online guidance for prayer in everyday life.  Join us for Daily Reflections on the scripture  which provides some weekly online guidance and other seasonal offerings.  Click on the link below to bookmark our main page which will take you to a number of our online ministries.
http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html

Thank you to all who contributed to the sharing.  Thank you to all who invited others to use this retreat.  Thank you for the power of your prayer.  Thanks be to God, who by the power of the Spirit of Jesus working in us, can do more than we can ask or imagine!