On Wednesday night, I told a friend I would be gone for the weekend. I told him I would be in a building from Thursday until Sunday with 40 or more other men, no cell phone, no watches or clocks, and no television or internet. Then I told him we would be told when to eat, go to bed, and wake up. He replied to me and asked, "man, what did you do to go to jail?"
Thursday evening came around and dinner was the first meal served for the extended weekend. After we were fed and then told to remain in silence until the morning, I thought, "man, what did I do to go to jail?!"
I was nervous and apprehensive going into my Emmaus Walk and the night in meditative silence certainly didn't help ease my anxieties. We all know how much I enjoy talking so to remain silent for an entire night and morning was pretty much the equivalent to a slap in the face. But little did I know, I was in for the greatest weekend of my life.
I am not going to get into too many details about the actual events in the Walk itself in case anybody who reads this is considering making the commitment themselves, but I am going to give you a short rundown.
A group of men were brought together from different physical places, different generations, different places in their spirituality, and different walks with Christ. A building full of men who have faced and are facing different obstacles through the darkness in their search for Christ. Men from different occupations and denominations, but one common denominator bonded us as brothers before weekend's end: our love for Jesus. We prayed a lot, laughed, smiled, talked, listened, cried a WHOLE lot, learned, and shared. The overall outcome from all of those combined... we GREW. We grew in different ways from one another, but also through shared ways that nobody who has an Emmaus experience could argue. We grew physically through our love for the snack table haha. In all seriousness, we grew SPIRITUALLY through Christ's unconditional and unending love for us.
This weekend, through much prayer, meditation, conversation, singing, and fellowship, I grew closer to Christ than I ever even DREAMT I would. The love that was shown from hundreds of strangers from all over the world in putting this experience together reconfirmed that although we may be in what I believe to be a postmodern and post-Christianity world, there is still MUCH love to be given and light to be shed.
This weekend, I had a moment. As it was named during the ending ceremony, I had an "ah-HA" moment. A moment where I felt the absolute presence of a God I love so much, but whom loves me infinitely more! Covered in goosebumps, drenched in my own tears, and brought to my knees, this weekend, I rededicated my life to Christ. I refuse to live another day without learning the word of God and incorporating my faith in all the decisions I make.
So, jail? Not close. As a matter of fact, it was the contrary; this weekend was the most LIBERATING weekend I have ever experienced. It was the most important, challenging, and insightful times I have ever had. As a fellow brother worded it, "I can tell you one things ladies and gentlemen, I AM FREE!" This weekend has changed my life forever.
Decolores.
And until next time...
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