Held today and led by Sister Leona Garchow, the CathSOC half-day retreat focused on “Finding God in the Everyday and the Ordinary” – i.e. being able to see God in the simple things that we don’t normally think about too much, in particular, our five senses. A piece of scripture, “The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) was used to start the first discussion, and, throughout the day, we were asked to use our senses and sense/reflect on God’s presence. The following is a brief summary of the reflection.

Praying With the Five Senses

Smell, Taste, See, Hear, Touch
“To understand the world knowledge is not enough; you must see it, touch it, live in its presence and drink the vital heat of existence in the very heart of reality.”
- Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Smell/Breathe
Go for a walk, and during that time, notice your breath and celebrate the fact that you are alive. Reflect: What is the incense (or prayer)/breath of your life that is being offered to God?

Taste/Savor
As you eat your meals, savor every bite – enjoy all the flavours and be grateful for the nourishment in front of you. Reflection: What does the goodness of God taste like to you?

See/Observe
Find something in nature and observe every fine detail of it. Reflect: What do you see of God’s presence in your life? How do you look upon others with love?

Hear/Listen
Sit quietly and be still. Listen to all the sounds around you, then, listen to the sounds that are within you. Reflect: What do you hear in the silence of your heart?

Touch/Feel
Spend time with your hands. Touch and feel the texture of your since and notice all the ridges, bumps, contours, etc. Close your eyes and do the same. Reflect: What does God’s hand in your hand feel like?