Strength and Courage

Here at Mount Hebron Presbyterian Church we continue to minister through our online presence. Our sermon from last Sunday can be found on YouTube here and in written form here.

One of the places I like to go to refresh my spirit is Bon Secours Retreat Center, in Marriottsville, Maryland. Pictured above is the path and bridge around the small water feature.

I am lucky that it is only a short drive from my home. It truly is a place of refreshment and hope. Our Presbytery has hosted a number of Clergy retreats there. I have also visited for personal retreats.

Right now, as with many such centers, they are having to discourage people from visiting. However, they continue to reach out through their online resources.

Rev. Stephen Wade has served as a spiritual director of one of their summer week-long directed retreats for many years. On the Bon Secours blog, he offers the following prayer, by Pope Francis, to the Bon Secours community with hope and thanksgiving. I thought it was well worth sharing.

“Tonight before falling asleep

think about when we will return to the street.

When we hug again,

when all the shopping together will seem like a party.

Let’s think about when the coffees will return to the bar,

the small talk, the photos close to each other.

We think about when it will be all a memory

but normality will seem an unexpected and beautiful gift.

We will love everything that has so far seemed futile to us.

Every second will be precious.

Swims at the sea, the sun until late, sunsets, toasts, laughter.

We will go back to laughing together.

Strength and courage.”

I hope you are able to find moments for positive reflection and refreshment during these uncertain times. For some music, MercyMe sing “Even If.”