Retreat teaches teens to experience God’s love

Divine Mercy Parish in Kenner held a powerful Lenten retreat weekend at Lumen Christi Center in Houma, La. The teens and adults who participated weren’t sure what to expect, but we were all confident that the Lord was going to work – and he did!

It was a weekend filled with laughter, singing, games, talks and, of course, being in Jesus’ presence in adoration and the Mass. We came together to discuss who we are, what we are created for, our wounds and brokenness and how God is the ultimate healer who wants to restore us.

We spoke of the lies that the world and Satan feed us and how to go to truth itself – God – to set us free from these lies. We even had hours of silence in order to disconnect from the busy, noisy world and truly enter into prayer. At this time we encouraged the teens to think about what areas of their lives they needed to work on, and if there was anyone they still needed to forgive. We wanted them to think about who they truly are and to ask the Lord to shed truth on all of these areas.

It is in the silence that the Lord truly speaks to our heart. He is constantly trying to speak to us, to love us, but we are the ones who need to say yes and allow our physician to work. We are redeemed by his grace and claimed by his love.

Spirit was moving
Throughout the weekend, it was incredible to see the Lord moving in the hearts of each person there. In adoration, Father David Dufour, our pastor, placed Jesus in front of each person, and hearts were transformed in the presence of our savior. We saw the Holy Spirit move in each of our hearts. The Lord has restored us; we need to be confident and know that we are loved, we are worthy, we are beautiful and we are filled with his hope.

It is our task now to live out what we have learned – first in our own homes by opening up to our parents and siblings, praying with them and speaking truth into each of their hearts as well. No matter how old we are, we will always need God’s truth to resonate in our hearts.

We hope the season of Lent continues. St. John Paul II said, “Lent is the time for entering into oneself. It is the period of the particular intimacy with God in the secrecy of one’s own heart and conscience. … Lent is essentially an invitation to conversion!”

Often we get so caught up with the busyness of life or we focus too much on not eating sweets that we lose sight of what this season is all about: a time to stop, to pray, to change.

I want you to know it’s not too late to make this happen. Stop and think of where your life is. How is your relationship with God? Think how can you make it better. The most important thing to think about is: Is the Lord truly at the center of my life? Am I truly trusting him and surrendering every aspect of my life to him? Because it is only by doing his will that we truly will be happy. When God is at the center, he will give you the desires of your heart because they will be his desires, and that’s the best kind. We need to be in unison with God and have him show us the perfect plan he has in store for us.

This plan will give us true joy and happiness.

So I challenge each of you, myself included, to dive in. Go to daily Mass, spend time in adoration, fast. If you can’t do any of those things, take some time and truly invite the Lord to come into your heart!

May each of us truly dive into his Most Sacred Heart, into his passion. May we be comforted by his love and mercy. May we be reminded by every cross that we see, that he did all of that for love of each and every one of us!

He is always by our side. You are not alone.

Mari Pablo is youth minister at Divine Mercy Parish in Kenner.