Written by: Sis Jo Advincula (Scribes Ministry)
The start of a new year offers a unique opportunity for people to reflect on the past year and chart a new way forward. The Lord’s Flock Catholic Charismatic Community (LF) gathered all leaders and members for the annual LF Retreat on January 21-22, 2023 for self-assessment and alignment with the Community’s mission and theme for the year. Our Elder-Vision-Holder, Sis Techie Rodriguez, focused the retreat on the theme “REKINDLE” which she revealed during the previous week’s FACING 2023. She urged all of us to get out of our comfort zones which was caused by the 3-year pandemic lock-down, and exhorted leaders and members alike to rekindle the remaining light that is still glimmering in us, to live a passionate life because God is love and full of passion for all of us.
“For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God,
that you have through the imposition of my hands.”
(2 Tim. 1:6, From Paul to Timothy)
RETREAT WELCOME
The two-day Retreat was attended by local members (from Metro Manila, nearby Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) at the TLF Heritage Formation Centre, and international members (from USA, Canada, Europe, UAE, Africa, Hong Kong) who stayed awake through the late hours over Zoom. Bro Dinky Florentino moderated the event at the Heritage and encouraged everyone to honor the solemn occasion and be in a prayerful mode. On the other hand, Sis Marlyn Santos facilitated the zoom participants. The Psalm Ministry, led by Bro Ronald Tapia, led the congregation in praise and worship. This was followed by the Bible Enthronement, which was so touching with the song lyrics “… ancient words impart words of wisdom, changing you and me.” Bro. Bob Rodriguez (Tatay Bob), our Elder-Founder, went up the stage to warmly welcome everyone with reassuring words to participate actively, to have/gain learning experience and let God pour His wisdom on us.
REKINDLE CHANT
Bro. Kent Galido, LF’s very own “master animator” rocked the general assembly with a newly-composed chant for the year “REKINDLE,” teaching the dance moves with gusto, which all the members picked up quickly and energetically:
“Get a match , get a match, get-get a match…
Make a fire, make a fire, make-make a fire…
Fan the flame, fan the flame, fan-fan the flame…
Rekindle. Rekindle, Re-re-REKINDLE
I am on fi-ya (fire). We are on fi-ya (fire). Lord’s Flock is on fi-ya (fire).”
RETREAT INTRODUCTION
TLF Co-founder, Bro Froilan Hong in his Retreat introduction explained how the Lord was moving in our community even before we knew what was about to happen. He recalled how the past three (3) years went by quickly and how the Lord (two months prior) prepared us for the pandemic. The Community started the year with “RE-FRAME 2020” which introduced a major re-organization of the community: the new 5-Fold Ministry and a sharper focus on Small Groups (Youth/New Gen, Married Couples, Singles, Small World) which enabled the Community to adjust to the unprecedented challenges of the global pandemic through virtual meetings and teachings.
The following year, while the pandemic continued to surge, LF’s “INNOVATE 2021” focused on technology upgrades (computers, lights, information technology) and new ways of evangelization (Global Teachings, In-Gatherings, “e-life” …). Subsequently, “PACESETTING 2022” which aimed at increasing Community membership exponentially, on the premise of relaxed pandemic protocols, did not materialize. A new threat had emerged – the people’s inertia and comfort zone; people became used to the safety and comfort of staying at home, doing everything virtually or online (working, shopping, hearing mass, meeting friends). The Church has been faced with the dilemma of how to get people back to attending masses in the churches. We are reminded that the CHURCH is one body with many parts but intricated together (Ephesians 4:15-16). We are still one body, one family that should love and pray together.
Thus, for 2023, there is an urgent need to REKINDLE the blazing fire of the Pentecost doused by the pandemic.
RETREAT TOPIC 1: What is Passion? What are Passion Killers?
Sis Techie Rodriguez discussed four Retreat topics over the two-day Retreat:
- Passion and Passion Killers
- Rekindle the Fire
- I Don’t Care
- Revive Us … Again
A. Passion is what energizes life; it makes the impossible possible. God wants us to love Him exclusively (Col 3:23). Therefore, we need to be passionate when we serve Him and let Him be our priority. We must be wary of these six (6) Passion Killers which keep us from being passionate with the Lord:
1.Unbalanced Schedule. Too much of one thing will cause us to lose passion for life and for God (Ps 127:2; James 4:17). Scheduling is important: at least 10% of the 24-hour day (2hrs, 40min) must be devoted to God – take the time and the effort to keep “spiritually fit.”
2.Unconfessed Sin. Guilt robs us of passion (Ps 38:4-6). We only need to “confess and ask for forgiveness. He will restore your passion (Jas. 5:16)
3.Unsupported Lifestyle. We need people who can help us in our life’s journey (Heb. 10:24-25). Hang out with people who are ablaze, who can bring us closer to God (Ecc. 4:9-10).
4. An Unclear Purpose. Passion and purpose go together. Life without a purpose is pointless (Isa. 49:4). It has to be God’s purpose for our life; not living for ourself.
5.Life’s Demands. The demands on our time – the desire to do well, provide for the family, recreation and leisure activities, these all compete with our passion to serve God.
6.Undernourished Spirit. “God is passionate about us” (Exo 34:14). The proof is the Cross – His arms always welcome us, despite our failings (Acts 1:3; 1Jn. 4:9).
The teaching was followed by Personal Reflection and Small Group discussion: “What are the things that extinguish your passion?”
RETREAT TOPIC 2: REKINDLE THE FIRE
Similar to how personal relationships develop, our relationship with God also starts with an introduction, followed by infatuation (knowing His character), and finally, passionate love for God.
Are we still passionate about our Lord? Do we serve Him out of obligation rather than out of passion for Him? “I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent and do the works you did at first” (Rev. 2:4-5).
How do we rekindle the love? Follow the Three (3) commands: REMEMBER. REPENT. REPEAT. Remember the love that we used to have; are the embers still aglow? Do not allow the extinguishers to kill the fire. When we rekindle our passion, He promises the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God (Rev. 2:7).
RETREAT TOPIC 3: I DON’T CARE
The Lord knows our works, and our hardships. Some are still ablaze for the Lord, while some are almost dying. People who leave their commitment to the Lord (backslide) will find it more difficult to go back to Him (Jn. 6). Worse spirits will come back when the Holy Spirit is not in us (Mt. 12:7).
Do we still care? When anyone gets comfortable, they get –
- Listless – lacking energy, enthusiasm
- Apathetic – showing lack of feeling or concern
- Ultimately asleep -demonstrating lack of attention
Today is a Wake–up call. We should be watchful and pay attention. We should not be complacent because Satan is around, to kill the flame. We should be a part of the redemption process and follow Christ invitation.
Then, a workshop ensued: “Do you care?” This started with a self-reflection and was followed by group sharing.
RETREAT TOPIC 4: REVIVE US AGAIN
“Dry Bones” are dried out by the sun and wind, or the trials and testings in life (Mt. 13). “Our bones are dried up, our hope is lost, and we are cut off. . . I will bring you back to Israel. I will put my spirit in you that you may come to life” (Ez. 37:11).
How do we know our bones are getting dry?
- There is no desire for Bible study
- Spiritual conversation is avoided
- We rationalize sin
- We can quote scripture and attend services but these make no difference in our life
- Our life revolves around money.
- It no longer bothers us if others are in misery and lost
- Worship and service to God do not excite us anymore
Revival is still possible and comes through PRAYERS (2 Chron. 7:14). Transformation is not immediate; it is a process and it requires our surrender. We need to retain our connection to the Lord and the Holy Spirit; the fruit of the Holy Spirit will help us persevere and fight our battles. When we ignite the fire of Pentecost, people will begin to see the newness in us.
Consecration of Workers
After the Series of four (4) Teachings, Sis Techie Rodriguez called on various groups for Consecration: Facilitators, Intercessory, Psalm Ministry, Koros, and Production. This was accompanied by the group singing of “Servant Song.”
Closing Ceremony
As a closing ceremony, the Eucharistic Celebration was presided by Fr. Alejandro Alia of the St. Anne Congregation.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Edited by Sis Vera I. Tuplano, Scribes Ministry
