As I continue to read this latest book “Learning How to See” by Brian McLaren, I am shocked about how it resonates with me and hits a nerve so readily. As I mentioned in last weekend’s homily (that I only published via email and podcast as I was not here in person—link here), McLaren lists 13 biases that we have all started with the letter “C” to help remember them. The one that struck me hard this week was the “convenience bias.”

 

The convenience bias basically states that “our brains welcome data that allows us to relax and be happy and rejects data that requires us to adjust, work, or inconvenience ourselves.” Our brains are wired to reduce friction on any task and take the easiest path and least discomforting or most convenient for us. In other words, our brains have a natural bias to be as lazy as possible and we must unlearn that bias.

 

Isn’t that so true that we hate to be inconvenienced in any aspect of our lives? That explains why teenagers would rather sit and watch TV when we ask them to take out the trash or we get irritated when the line in the cashier gets longer or traffic gets worse. Anything that inconveniences us is hard to overcome.

 

But all aspects of discipleship in some way are an inconvenience, and they require us to unlearn our brain’s natural proclivity. Discipleship requires us to learn to sacrifice for the sake of others and God. That requires some growth and some new learning. It requires us to grow a little more mature in our relationship with God, each other, and ourselves. The only way to do that is to stop for a while and reflect on our lives and see where we are called to grow.

 

That is why we are putting on this parish-wide retreat and inviting all parishioners to join us. I understand that it is an inconvenience, but I am asking you to stretch yourself and commit to coming on Friday evening, October 27 and all-day Saturday, October 28 retreat. I plead with you to get out of your comfort zone and learn some new things about prayer and how it can rekindle your fire.

 

During the retreat, I, along with Francesca LaRosa and Meredith Augustin, will share with you the different levels of prayer and give practical examples of entering the four different levels. You will then have time to practice this with different activities on campus (indoor and outdoor). We will discuss how to turn the “convenience bias” into our favor and make it work for us by creating some steps that are easy to implement. We will explore small steps we can take to create new “tiny habits” of prayer and understanding of how God can be present in our lives every day and learn to celebrate the gift of God’s presence in our daily lives. We will offer several ways to pray at different levels and there will be beautiful music to inspire you. We will share stories of success and failure and demonstrate how God works through it all no matter what happens. The breakout activities will have something for everyone. Following is a list of examples:

  • Meditation Walk and Labyrinth (Outdoor)
  • Creative Art Activity (Art Room)
  • Reflective Journal Activity (STEM Classroom)
  • Visit with the Priests for Conversation, Confession and/or Anointing (Library)
  • Faith Filled Small Group Discussion (Holy Family Room and Simon Room)
  • Prayer Rooms dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Lourdes (Classrooms)
  • Community Meals with Conversation (Friday – Dinner. Saturday – Full Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner in the Gym).

 

So please inconvenience yourself and join us for this weekend of prayer, worship and reflection and may we help to rekindle our spirits together on the feast day of St. Simon!

God bless,

Fr. Brendan