Inter-Provincial Novitiate

Reflections on the 

Spiritual Excercice in Chiangmai

By Jobin Thayyil

For me the retreat in Chiangmai was very helpful. The place itself was very calm and quite. That surrounding helped me to think deeply. Since there was also a lot of time I was able to think more deeply about my vocation. The biblical passages given by the retreat master for contemplation were also related to vocation.

In the first day our retreat masters Rev. Fr. Paul asked us to pray three times. He gave two bible passages those were ex. 2:23 – 3: 12 and 1 Samuel 3--. 1-10. He also gave us the pictures related to these passages. First I meditated on ex2:23. It was about calling of Moses. God called Moses when he went closer to God. He approached the burning bush out of curiosity. When he approach it God talked to him. So in order to hear and respond to Gods call I should also go closer to him. Moses was also asked to take off his sandals. This means that we have to detach from world. We have to take off the impure things to approach God. To approach the holy place we have to remove everything which are hindrance to holiness. The detachment from the world will help me more to attach to God. God always listen the cry of his people. He is a God who is having compassion to his people. He chose Moses to save Israel from the slavery of Egypt. Thus we can say that every vocation is the answer for the cry of God’s people. I am also called by God to wipe the tears of his people and bring them to him. Moses was a person who could not speak well. When Moses said this to God he said that I am with you. I am also very weak but God can make me strong.

I received the same message when I reflect on the book of Samuel. God called Samuel when he was sleeping in the temple. He was very close to God. Samuel was able to respond well to His call with the help of Eli.   He said that Lord speak your servant is listening. I also have to respond to God’s call and submit myself fully to God like Samuel. In the thirds prayer period   I reflected on Luke 10. 11-12. this passage was about the choosing and sending of 72 disciples by Jesus. They were sent by Jesus to preach. It is the duty of the disciples to preach. Whether people accept or reject they must to preach the good news trusting fully in God.

The second day Fr. Paul taught us two methods of prayer; contemplation and Lectio Divina. We were asked to pray three times. I used the method of contemplation for two prayer periods. In this method there are three preludes. 1. Read and understand the history. 2. Imagine the place, the characters and the events. 3. Ask our God what I want and desire. First I reflect upon Jn .1. 34- 42.it says about the first disciples of Jesus. I also tried to put myself in the gospel. At first I found it very hard to concentrate because I was very distracted.  But after wards I was able to do that. I reflect on this gospel in the garden of seven foundens. Jesus was asking the disciples to come and see where he was living. They went and stayed with him. They were able to understand and proclaim about him. They brought Simeon to Him. Since I am also called to proclaim Christ I must know Him first. So at the end of the meditation I asked the intercession of Mary the mother of God and concluded the meditation with an Our father.

In the second section I reflected on john. 1 .43- 53using the same method. This says about the calling of Philip. Jesus called Philip and said. “Follow me.” He followed him suddenly. He was also able to bring Nathaniel to Jesus.

 When he reached Jesus told that Jesus had seen him before when he was sitting under the fig tree. He also believed in him. During the time of contemplation I was very peaceful and I was able to complete my meditation and imagine the gospel. At the end I asked the intercession of mother Mary to pray for me to increase my faith. I concluded my prayer with an our father.

In the third section I use the method of Lectio Divimna. I reflected on Jn. 1 1-18. I read the scripter passage slowly slower than usual without pausing. After that I read the passage again used word by word and phrase by phrase. When I came to know that a phrase touched me I tried to reflect on it. The phrase which touched me was Jn 1. 8, “he himself was not the light but he came to testify the light.” It was said about john The Baptize. He was sent by God and his duty was to testify Jesus. The duty of the disciples of Jesus is also same that is to show or introduce Him to the people. That is the duty of all who received the call of discipleship. I am also called to be the disciple of Jesus so that it is also my duty to lead the people to Him. This is the massage I received from this prayer section. I found this method is easier and comfortable because we reflect word by word and phrase by phrase. So if it is started to distract we can continue the reading and go to other phrases or words. So it is more helpful to avoid distractions. I found it more peaceful and comfortable. 

The last day also we were asked to pray three times. The first section I used the passage of Luke 17- 11.19. It was about the ten leopards. I used the method of contemplation. The message of the gospel was to thank God for all the blessings. I went to the main chapel and did it and gave thanks for all the graces that he gave to me.

In the second section we were asked to sing psalms of thanks giving. We were asked to do it without disturbing others. So I went to the hut at the corner of the garden and did this. I used the canticle of Daniel. I tried to remember all the blessing she had showered upon me and thanked him.

In the next prayer section I went to the Labyrinth.  I reflect on Jn. 2.5 That the words of mother Mary “do whatever he tells you.” I reflected this words and walks slowly through that .the message I received from the prayer section was to do all things according to the will of God. For doing the will of God I have to listen the word of God and to live according to the word of God.

So for me the retreat was very helpful. It really helped me to increase my spiritual life. It helped me to acquire knowledge about knew mew methods of prayer. So the retreat was very useful.