 |
Kevin Flynn: Presenter |
Patience, waiting, hope, compassion, love—these were but a few of the words encompassed in an Advent Retreat entitled “Advent: Living Between Memory and Hope” on November 29th in the beautiful Chapel of St. Paul University, Ottawa. Sponsored by the Ottawa Area Christian Meditation Community, the retreat was led by Reverend Kevin Flynn, an Anglican priest and Director of Anglican Studies at St. Paul University. Reverend Flynn, a long-time meditator and group leader, opened the retreat with the Matthew’s gospel on the ten bridesmaids. The wise bridesmaids took extra oil to make sure they were ready when the bridegroom came. As it was for them, we also do not know when the bridegroom will come.
The season of Advent is a season of waiting and preparing. Reverend Flynn read a passage from St. Paul, words of assurance to those who wait. Unlike the early non-Christians, who believed that death was the end, the early Christians had no need for grief around death. They had the promise of Jesus, His “triumphant return for all”. Paul’s message was to encourage one another—we will be with the Lord forever, God has triumphed over the enemy of death. The early Christians were full of joy, peace and love. They believed that they died with Christ and would rise with him and not even death could break such a union. As we meditate, we feel this deep peace and union with Christ.
In the next talk, Reverend Flynn referred to St. James, who talked about patience which strengthens our hearts with the knowledge that God is near. We wish God was always visible, always present—but this is not usually so obvious. Mostly, God speaks in soft whispers, and is found in the shadows. Reverend Flynn challenged us to see what kind of ear we bring to hearing God, do we “lean in close” to hear Him? We are constantly bombarded by so much noise and activity in the world, and this leads to numbness. It is in our meditation that the eyes of our hearts are enlightened, and we hear the whisper of God.
In the afternoon, Reverend Flynn spoke about knowledge, quoting the expression “knowledge as power”. Knowledge of another person gives us power over that person, and we can have the urge to misuse that power. It is a terrifying concept that there can be knowledge without love. God has complete knowledge of us—how are we to stand before such knowledge? We can despair and cower, or we can approach God in love and complete trust as His knowledge of us comes with love and compassion.
Humbug! This strange word came up in the next session. For some, advent is their favourite season, others say humbug. Advent gives us, as Christians, “hope” to combat that humbug feeling. “Do not fear the Lord is near.” When we don’t fear, we have hope, it gives meaning and purpose to waiting. Our hope is founded on Jesus Christ, our redeemer. We have no need to say humbug; we have the peace of Christ.
Many other wonderful topics were also covered during the day. We joined together in community to meditate in the morning and afternoon between talks. At lunch, the group of approximately 130 people were able to socialize and enjoy each other’s presence. The retreat was an inspiring start to this wonderful season of preparation and waiting. And there was not one whisper of “humbug” among us!
Marilyn Sugden
 |
St Paul’s Chapel |
 |
Some of the Audience |