Playfulness: a Lenten Retreat with Brother Luke Ditewig
Br. Luke Ditewig, with the Society of St, John the Evangelist (SSJE), was with us February 16-18 at the invitation of Chris+, who is an associate of the Order. Not counting the Sunday Holy Eucharist where he preached, 27 Saints of John attended all or a part of the retreat. A master of childlike, playful prayer, Br. Luke offered this as one of SSJE’s daily meditations:
“A playful perspective faces the unknown with courage to discover. In play, we let down our guard. We need play in our relationships to show up as we are. There is more to relating than behaviors in which we feel familiar and confident. Risking the new takes us further. A childlike playfulness ushers in becoming more. A childlike prayerfulness opens us to more.” 10.31.23
This quote lovingly describes what we experienced; a delightful day and a half of sometimes quiet consideration, sometimes belly-laugh-filled prayer. Br. Luke slowly and sweetly introduced us to body movement, encouraging us to recall the playfulness and wonder we enjoyed as young children. He also offered tools and techniques designed to help us incorporate the knowledge and presence of Godly play into our spiritual practices and prayers. One of the participants had this to say:
“I am so appreciative of how Br. Luke modeled for us--in slowing down, in playing, in using his body in prayer. He was present with us in very deep ways, including sharing some of his struggles and journey. Invaluable!”
We were encouraged to include tactile, auditory and physical activities in our prayer lives. We were invited to practice these playing with clay, lying on the floor, listening to music and using our hands and bodies to explore God’s presence, support and love for us, no matter what. As a delightful parting gift, we each received bubbles! Another participant offered,
“I find myself using the bodily motions (like the self-hug) when I am praying. The clay and bubbles were tangible reminders that we can change our selves and enjoy playfulness in God’s creation.”
We also considered the laments in our lives, the pain and sorrow, the bereavements, learning these, too, can be addressed through play, movement, the tactile, and auditory. All in all, it was quite a special way of learning, of building community. In closing, another Br. Luke quote:
“Jesus invites a childlike playfulness. Grownups get trapped in reasoning, in quests for certainty, right and wrong, and social acceptance. A childlike perspective is playful. Open to questions. Exploring possibilities widely. Acting with freedom and inhibition, unconcerned about what others may think. Try it out. Take risks. Be vulnerable”. 10.31.22
Yes indeed, try it out, take risks, be vulnerable. Come play!
