Calgary Catholics who attended a Lenten retreat on April 3 at Ascension Parish were invited to accept the Living Water. 

Keynote speaker Michael Chiasson, the founder and executive director of Access52 Ministries, centred his talk around Revelation 22:17 — “Let anyone who desires take the water of life without price.”

Chiasson guides events oriented for students, parents and teachers about living with faith-filled conviction for 52 weeks each year. He told the over 80 attendees that just as it is better to “not give someone dying of thirst a gallon of water but rather small sips,” God does not overwhelm us with His graces. He “provides small little bits of hope that people take in.”

While there is no monetary charge for the Living Water, the resident of Okotoks, Alta., did say God expects us to have faith and trust in Him in order to receive.

“Faith is like confidence,” said Chiasson. ‘“God I believe you can do all things.’ It sounds good and it feels good, but there is a component to this that moved my whole being to a new level of faith — what that thing is called is trust. 

“Faith is confidence and trust is commitment. ‘God I believe you can do all things,’ and the trust part is ‘even if you don’t do it my way. I’m still going to offer my prayers even if it doesn’t feel like you’re listening.’ ”

Each Sunday, especially during the contemplative season of Lent, Chiasson said we are called to place in front of God at the altar all our anxieties about our past and doubts about the future and enter communion with Him.

Chiasson shared the story of Charles Blondin, the French daredevil and acrobat who crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope over 300 times in his life. The consummate showman, Blondin once crossed with a potato sack over his head, another time he stopped halfway through to cook and eat an omelette, and yet on another occasion he managed to cross with his hands and legs bound in chains. Many ultimately put their life in Blondin’s hands, by letting him carry them but the first such occasion was a considerable act of faith and trust. His manager and friend Harry Colcord emerged from the crowd of spectators to volunteer. 

“Before Harry got onto his back, Charles said to him, ‘Harry, for the next 20 minutes your name is not Harry Colcord,’ ” recounted Chiasson. ‘“You are now Charles Blondin. You are now one with me. I want you to pay attention to my breathing and breathe with me. If I lean to the left, I want you to lean with me. If I move forward or sway back, I want you to mimic and imitate. If you don’t, and you try to balance yourself, we will both surely fall to our death. For the next 20 minutes you must be one with me.’ ”

In perfect harmony, the two crossed the gorge and then simply walked away from the rope together in humility following their unprecedented, jaw-dropping feat. 

Chiasson said God, just like Blondin, seeks us to be united with Him — no daylight or wedge whatsoever. We are to move with Him and lean in the direction He has in mind for us without stubborn resistance.

“I believe God is inviting us, asking us to change the thought process of, ‘God will you just look at me,’ to us saying, ‘no, now I am looking towards Him for all that He has done.’ ”

This shift in mindset, said Chiasson, “is a powerful way to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate Jesus Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.”

The speaker who has presented in front of over 30,000 students — and is now making his initial forays into the public school system — started and closed his retreat with praise and worship. “Here I am to Worship” and “This is the Air I Breathe” were two of the songs on his setlist.