The Way Retreat
Fifth, Sixth, and Conluding Talks

FIFTH TALK: A Common Union Opening Song “live” with Sister Peggy

A priest will give the introductory talk which will lead into the Liturgy. Hence there is no talk outline, and the Liturgy outline will be separate. The Liturgy is the “Reaction” to the talk.

Dinner

SIXTH TALK: Father, Forgive Them

Opening Song

This talk involves the entire team and all candidates. It consists of a dialogue recitation of the betrayal, trial, and crucifixion of Christ. In addition to passing out the lyrics to the songs, complete “scripts” will be distributed.

Second Song

While Jesus hung on the cross, He face the anger and indignation of those who, a few days earlier, had joyously greeted Him as He entered Jerusalem. People laughed at Him. They spit at Him, mocked Him, insulted Him, and even dared Him to get down from the Cross. His response was the ultimate sign of God’s love for us: He simply said, “Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing.” Sometimes the only way to respond to others is to pray for them, to forgive them, and to pay back their lack of love with our love. By forgiving His bitterest enemies. Jesus teaches me to forgive others.

Give an example from your own life when you’ve had to forgive someone. How did your expression of love resolve the conflict?

At this time your leaders are passing out pretzels. “What,” you may ask, “does a pretzel have to do with forgiveness?” Before answering this question, let’s close our eyes and pray:

Lord Jesus, You are the peacemaker who reconciled opponents. You are the healer who resolved hurtful conflicts. Be with us and strengthen us to be witnesses in this world of your healing peace. Bless us, even though we sometimes close our arms against other people and become salty with resentment, fragile in fear, crumbling with anger. Teach us to be loving, peaceful, forgiving persons.

Ask everyone to break their pretzels, to watch the crumbs fall, and then eat them. When all have finished, the leader invites them to clench their fists and fold their arms across their chests in imitation of the pretzel shape.

“Pretzel” comes from a Latin word meaning “folded arms” --- folded as if in prayer. But sometimes we fold our arms against other people, insisting that we are right. Sometimes, we clench our fists in anger for a hurt we have received. Sometimes, we hold our gifts within ourselves, unwilling to share them with others. Let us make a commitment to changing by unclenching our fists.

Pretzels were traditionally a Lenten food, made only with flour, water and salt because Christians abstained from dairy products during Lent. Pretzels are brittle. When we are in conflict, we too are brittle and fragile, easily broken. Let us turn to the ways of love by unfolding our arms and opening our tight hearts to others.

In the Middle Ages, pretzels were the food of the poor during Lent. They were not available any other time during the year. Now they were mass-produced in the traditional “folded arms” shape or as sticks or rods and bite-size pieces or hot and chewy to be dipped in mustard. Today they are made with eggs and milk. Let us reach out to those around us s that we may blend our gifts of love into one for the nourishment of our world.

Invite everyone to join hands.

Lord Jesus, You loved everyone who crossed your path, even those who led you on the path to the Cross. Help us to be open to all kinds of people in their infinite variety. Send Your Spirit to be the healing oil of peace that will smooth our harsh words, healing our misguided judgments and strengthening our weak efforts at forgiving and loving others. Cleanse us with the water of Your love so that we may be renewed in our desire to reach out to those who need us the most. May we take to friends and neighbors the gifts we have shared during this retreat, and may they strengthen us forever and ever.

Closing song

Small Group Discussion 5

Pass out the sheets on which are written the last words of Jesus while He hung on the cross. In remembrance of Jesus’ silent burial, ask the candidates to go on their own, to select one of the last words of Jesus, and to write a reflection. These will be used in the closing talk.

CLOSING TALK: The End is Just the Beginning

Opening Song

This talk will be “improvised” by the priest, based on all that has gone on and on the reactions to the last words of Jesus. During the talk, portions of the cross with nails will be given to each candidate and team member. At the end of the talk, all will be free to leave the retreat.

Closing Song

		Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry Orthodox Church in America PO Box 675 Syosset, NY 11791 http://yya.oca.org yyacm@oca.org The Hub | Back to top