3rd Monthly Recollection (09 August, 2013)

The atmosphere is more quite than the normal days. In the morning around 8:30, the Novitiate house filled with silence. The melodies of the song of the birds and the sounds of the insects were very audible. The sound of the backhoe engine and the Myanmar conversation of the workers at the back of the chapel can be heard but very little.

The novices has an inner peace and good atmosphere for their 3^rd monthly recollection. They started their recollection with a Taize song. Then the Gospel of Matthew 16: 24-28 was read by Jobin. Again, the Taize song was played. Then few minute of reflection and meditation followed. They also prayed the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin.

At 10 am, the talked begun. Their speaker was lay man. He was a former General Manager of a renowned hotels in Phuket. He has 3 children and a beautiful wife named Maria. His name was Mr. Supachard. He used to be a seminarian for 6 years.

The reflection of Mrs. Supachard revolved around his life experiences. He stressed this 3 important notes in his life journey with God.

1. “God’s company never terminates anybody”, He said. Anyone is welcome to work in God’s company. No need of resume and application letter. The only requirement is this: “Whoever wishes to follow me must deny his very self, take up his cross and follow me.”

“In the corporate world, my boss never understood me. My boss always pushes me to work hard. But God always understand.” He said.

2. “Let His will be done.” He shared that he used to be a seminarian for 6 years but because of being too materialistic he left the seminary. He work hard outside to provide his capricious wants in his life – car, house. He started from the low position in a hotel before he reached the higher position. But because of his vain motive he failed many times. He lost his job. Worst thing was, he lost his father. This mark the turning of his life. This incident made him realized that “life should not be accumulating material things” but “let God’s will be done.”

3.”The best thing is to get closer to God.” He said. Until now Mr. Supachard has remaining debt but he is happy now with his family. For him what matter most if their relationship in the family and with God. He said, “I see how much God loves me through my family.”

Though he never became a priest as he desired early in his life but he was able to send someone to the Holy Order. One Singaporean businessman who is his friend was ordained last month of this year.

Whatever areas we are going to spend our life, we will be successful and happy if we allow Him to be the center of that of our quest in life. “Let His will be done not our own.”