Bp. Varghese – Second retreat conference

Bishop Varghese asks the confreres “Detach from your own preconceived ideas and engage your capacity to think, reflect, discuss, listen, speak, and deliberate in the Spirit of Christ so that the Lord can think, speak and act through you.”

This conference offers many practical suggestions toward becoming “An Assembly united in the mind of Christ”

D I S C E R N M E N T – Second Conference

An Assembly united in the mind of Christ

 “I am the Vine; you are the branches. If you live in me, you will bear much fruit.” Jn 15: 1-8

My dear confreres,

Having discussed with you some principles of discernment, I will suggest some contemporary areas of discernment for the Congregation as a whole. As members of the 2016 General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission, you have assumed a grave responsibility. You are tasked with participating in a communal discernment process for the good of the Congregation. The worldwide Congregation, the Church, and God’s poor are all looking to see how you will respond to this great call and responsibility. You can and will rise to the occasion. In so doing, you will fulfil then mandate given you by God, the Church, and the confreres in your provinces.

Jesus, our Master and Vincent, our Holy Founder and Father of the Congregation, want this Assembly to be conducted after the mind of Christ so that it may be a fruitful moment of grace for the Church, the Congregation, and the poor who are our portion. Remember that we have no existence and identity apart from Christ. You are at this assembly, because the Holy Spirit has led you here. Remain attached to Jesus; seek his mind and His will. Allow the life giving love of Christ to flow into and through you. Allow the person of Jesus to think, reflect, speak, and listen through you so you can produce the “fruit that endures” that Christ wants from you.

…

Full text

Homily

First retreat reflection