Reflection on the Retreat

Sister, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary are all about Joy
and sharing with you that they see God has marked you,
given you special talents
ignited you with a spark
straight out of the star filled heaven.
A spark from God's spirit
that cannot and will not be killed.

Once you are able to really
truly believe that you have
been gifted with this spark within you -
this seed of the almond tree of the New Jerusalem -
planted in your heart
watered with tears of Joy as well as sorrows
fertilized by the stories we tell ourselves
excuses we make while refusing to believe
not realizing these actions attract Jesus
instead of causing him to turn from you.

Knowing this seed has taken root
and not just sprouted
but stretches forth
reaching for the heart's home
from which it came.

You then know
with everything that is in you
that the spark - this seed -
has empowered you
to go out into the world
leaving your heart open
realizing thorns will sometimes
pierce your heart
while at other times skewer it completely
so that the blood of love
can overflow on those you meet
encouraging and enflaming
their spark to begin its
Journey of the Heart.

Where one day we all will meet
gathered into Our God's
loving embrace.