The recollection showed us the way—a day we shared with God.

In the spiritual
life, recollection implies paying attention to the presence of God in the soul. It entails
withdrawing the mind from external and earthly affairs in order to focus on God and
divine matters. It is the same as being alone with God in deep isolation. It is possible to
obtain it through our own efforts and the ordinary mercy of God. Thus, any pious soul can
cultivate the habit of contemplating God's presence and focusing attention on Him and His
divine perfections. It may also not be the result of our own efforts but of an extraordinary
grace infused by God, through which He gathers the faculties of the soul and manifests His
presence and perfections; mystical writers classify this type of recollection as the first
degree of infused contemplation.

We have been given a chance to have a rest with God and know Him better than we
should. The recollection is not just to pick ourselves up and repent of our sins; it is to
move our hearts, minds, and souls closer to God. We are moved by the creation of God,
how powerful He is, and how the past, like the Old Testament, was full of events that were
controlled by God. We do not want to repeat our mistakes as Adam and Eve started. As
children of God, we must also do good and follow His Son, Jesus Christ, foot for us to be
saved and come with Him in eternal life. The four R's in recollection are recall, reflect,
recharge, and renew. We respond to God's love through compassion stewardship because
we are stewards not owner, we are called to give back to God the talent, time and treasure,
and we received, developed, shared, and returning God's gift.