On Saturday, May 2nd, ten Lay Assumptionists from St. Anne St. Patrick in Sturbridge, along with two interested guests, met with the Brighton Assumptionist Community for a Lenten Day of Reflection. Fr. Simon, a.a. welcomed everyone and began the day with a song. Fr. ChiAi, a.a., Provincial, presented The Parable of the Two Brothers (Luke 15:11-32), and discussed out connection to each of the characters. Fr. ChiAi stated that the purpose of the day was to deepen our relationship to God, and to one another in the Assumptionist family.
During our Lenten journey, we empty ourselves to make room for God and for other people. Awareness of other people was stressed, as well as the knowledge that God already gives us everything we need. The story of the Prodigal Son is about us. We need to deepen our desires in order for God to fill us with His presence. Additionally, we should find comfort in the fact that God takes us as we are. If we have the desire to know him, He will bring us where we should be.
After the morning presentation, the attendees broke into small groups for discussion, after private prayer. They discussed Fr. Emmanuel D’Alzon, a.a.’s Meditation 4, The Prodigal Son. Lunch was an opportunity for everyone to share time with each other in community. Fr. Roland, a.a. joined us too!
After the afternoon session, the whole group shared what their takeaways were for deepening their spiritual life with the Assumptionist family. Some responses included being more human and compassionate, paying attention to every word and to gestures, seeing conversion as a process, not judging others, and recognizing that we all have the invitation to come back to God.
Fr. ChiAi gave each participant a copy of his book, A Delightful Lenten Journey, for them to use to make their Lenten journey more meaningful.
