On Sunday, March 9, the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light hosted and facilitated an afternoon of recollection for the MYA of the Our Lady of the Cedars Parish at the Mother of Light Convent. The theme of the afternoon’s recollection was the love of God the Father.
Mother Marla Marie began with a meditation on the Gospel passage of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”.
How many of us ponder the love of God the Father in His sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus? We were willed into existence out of love, not by accident. Mother Marla Marie explained that our soul has such a great dignity in the eyes of God because we are the work of His hands and saved by the blood of His only Son, shed freely for us on the Cross.
The MYA were also shown a short extract from the movie, “More”, which also included a poignant narration. The movie displays the heroism of a father, who is confronted with an extremely difficult choice, does he save his son, or does he save a train full of people? The father chooses to save the train full of people, but loses his son in the process.
Mother Marla Marie used this film to shed light on the infinite love of God the Father towards us, who did not hesitate to sacrifice His only Son as atonement for our sins.
The afternoon concluded with the Maronite evening prayer, Ramsho, and supper.