WEAVING HOPE: FINDING GOD IN CHANGE
A Personal Reflection on a 6-Day Retreat with Fr. Chuck, OP
When I first arrived at the retreat, I carried with me a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. The theme, “Weaving Hope: Finding God in Change”, immediately spoke to my heart. Change has always been a constant companion in my life, sometimes welcomed, often resisted. Over six days, guided by Fr. Chuck OP, I discovered that hope is the golden thread that binds together the fragments of our experiences, making sense of the transitions we face.
We began by asking the simple yet profound question: What is hope? I realized that hope is not just optimism or wishful thinking. It is a theological virtue, a deep trust in God’s promises even when the future feels unclear. Hope anchors us in God’s faithfulness, reminding us that He is weaving something beautiful even from broken threads. This hope naturally led us to reflect on the yearning for the Kingdom of God — that deep longing within us for justice, peace, and love, signs of God’s reign already breaking into our world.
The retreat also invited us to face our emotions honestly. Change stirs up fear, sadness, and sometimes joy. We were asked to name the thoughts we carry that make us sad and to share them in groups. This act of vulnerability was liberating; it reminded me that God meets us not in denial but in truth. Holding on to the promises of God became a way to steady myself, to remember that His Word is unchanging even when everything else shifts.
One of the most powerful moments was reflecting on change and the unchangeable. Life is full of transitions, but God remains constant. Learning to discern what is in my control and what is beyond it helped me surrender with peace. This surrender was not passive but active — a purification of the heart, letting go of resentment and fear so that hope could take root more deeply.
Fr. Chuck reminded us that hope is certain because it rests on God’s unchanging love. This certainty gave me courage to face the unknown. In silence and prayer, we entered into Dominican contemplation, a practice of gazing lovingly upon God. In that stillness, I felt the loving gaze of Jesus upon me — a gaze that heals, affirms, and transforms. It was in that gaze that I began to see the possibility of true change within myself, the hope of conversion that turns my heart more fully toward God.
The retreat was not only about reflection but also about activity. We were invited to trace our journey: where we have been, where we are now, and where we are going. This exercise helped me see my life as a tapestry, woven with threads of joy and sorrow, past and present, all moving toward a future filled with hope. It was a reminder that God is the master weaver, and though I may only see fragments, He sees the whole design.
As the retreat drew to a close, I carried with me a renewed sense of hope. Change no longer felt like a threat but a sacred space where God reveals Himself. Hope became the golden thread that binds my story together, weaving trust, renewal, and divine love into every moment of my life.
Finally, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the St. Luis Beltran Province, especially Sr. Ma. Virginia B. Benito and her team, and Asian Continental Novitiate community, for the opportunity to participate in this retreat. I will carry its lessons with me as I continue to weave hope into the fabric of my daily life.
Sr. Tina Bhandari
Asian Continental Novitiate
