And
as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it
to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had
given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them,
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many" (Mark
14:22-24 ESV).
This is the verse which
gives the idea of Maunday Thursday which I basically spend at home or somewhere
else with my family. However, my regular attendance at TMCC (The Messiah
Community Church) gave me a different perception of it. I was invited to attend
the Encounter God Retreat (EGR) by my lifegroup leader and so I did. My best
friend who happens to be my LG mate and my sister-in-law who has been regularly
attending the Sunday service participated as well. Nineteen other people from
different parts of Taytay, Cainta and Cavite joined us. There were 13 resource persons who spoke on the following topics:
Twenty-two
facilitators and assistant facilitators were in-charge of us, participants and we
were assigned to sleep at the air-conditioned room of the TMCC building. We
spent 30 hours of the Holy Week listening to the speakers and doing what they
let us do after each session. And of all the holy weeks I had, this one I can
say was the most meaningful. First and foremost, because I had the chance of
knowing the church and its people deeper. Their manner of dealing with church
members and non-members and their approaches in handling matters manifested and
were observed and I can say that all of them have been consistent about their
demonstration of humility and equity. Above all, I had the opportunity to
commune with God and experience the power of the Holy Spirit. Yes I got slain
by the Holy Spirit twice and the feeling was indescribable. I felt I was
consumed to the maximum level that I could not get up no matter how I tried. I
spoke the language that I neither heard before nor understood. I dared to stop
but I could not control my very own tongue. I had spiritual activities then,
but this one was incomparable. I had the awareness of what was going on;
however, I did not have the physical strength to take control of everything. I felt
the Spirit. I felt God. I’m not saying that I became sanctified after the EGR,
what I want to say is that I was given the opportunity to adore and experience God’s
presence in an extraordinary manner. The five hundred pesos I paid for the nine
meals I had during EGR was nothing compared to the realization that I obtained
after all those life changing sessions with our speakers and facilitators. I
was moved, changed and provided of a profound and a deeper view of spirituality
and my relationship with God.
I
cannot declare that I gained supernatural abilities after that undertaking but
the mere fact that I felt spiritual renewal I’m very much grateful. Now I truly
understand why Peter said, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name
of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift
of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) and Jesus
said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me (John 14:6 ESV).
The Messiah Community Church did not just give me a remarkable Holy Week but above all, an activity that quenched my spiritual thirst and renewed my sinful soul, hence my gratefulness to God for leading me there.
The following are few of the pictures taken during the EGR.
Photo Credits: Ace of TMCC
The Messiah Community Church did not just give me a remarkable Holy Week but above all, an activity that quenched my spiritual thirst and renewed my sinful soul, hence my gratefulness to God for leading me there.
