By Tom Thomas –
“And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper…” 1 Kings 19:12
“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone. – Blaise Pascal
After a couple of years of the lockdown-imposed stress at work and at home, I was craving for the opportunity of attending a silent retreat where I could endeavour to hear Him. I had attended Charismatic format retreats before, but not a silent retreat which are often modelled on the Ignatian Jesuit formats of being on one’s own for the most part with some minimal spiritual direction. Such an opportunity presented to me recently and I could grab a couple of days before the end of the year and visit the Redemptorist run Nava Spoorthi Kendra for a retreat under the direction of a Redemptorist Father.
Unlike the format of Charismatic-based retreats, the silent retreats are mostly directed by the Spirit and one goes without any pre-set agenda. When I met my Spiritual Director at the start of the retreat, I was told we would meet just twice a day , for the Morning or Evening prayer and the Mass. Both these times and throughout my program, there would be no other participants . I was free to pray in the various Chapels in the Center, or walk around the extensive wooded grounds or visit the Adoration Chapel in the adjoining Holy Ghost Church where Masses are also conducted virtually round the clock in all the major languages.
The two days were actually quite refreshing and relaxing once I got used to the rhythm of being in solitude. The biggest challenge was to be away from the mobile with its always on nature. It took some time to slow down and absorb the stillness and calmness of the centre where no voices are spoken. The two days spent in prayer and recollection and rest were soothing to me and my soul and body- more than in fact a vacation in an expensive resort. Other than showing up at the refectory for the appointed meal times (8 am, 1 pm and 8 pm) where one would also see (but not speak to) the other senior Redemptorist Fathers staying there, the schedule was pretty much my own.
I could feel the promptings of the Lord in the quiet of the tabernacle, the Adoration Chapel and the rustlings of the leaves and chirping of the birds. Along the way, the guidance of the Father to focus on the 3 S’s of Christmas – Silence, Simplicity and Solidarity helped me . Silence is important as so many sages and philosophers have written about over the years. “ The devil loves noise and Jesus looks for Silence” is a saying attributed to St Ambrose. A Silent God can only speak to a Silent Heart. “Silence is God’s first language” says St John of the Cross. Silence is indeed the way to God. The founder of the Redemptorists, St Alphonsus Ligouri has also written extensively on Silence.
Simplicity: The meaning of Christmas is also not in the lavish decorations and festivities that one sees everywhere but in the simplicity of the Christmas crib, where the simple shepherds are one of the first to get the tidings of the Saviour being born and not the powerful, mighty and rich Roman emperors of that time. There is beauty and blessedness in the simple. Blessed indeed are the simple for they shall see God.
Solidarity: The Christmas Gift highlights the joy of giving. Starting with the example of the Lord . John 3:16 who gave us His only son. Then the three Kings who gave the best gifts they had to the newly born Savior. What are the best gifts we can give the Lord?
This led to the realisation to me is what is the best gift that I can give to the Lord, or really to anyone else is that of my TIME. Let me endeavour to spend TIME with Him in the Daily Scriptures that are part of the Mass, the breaking of the Word and Bread and also at Adoration, evening and morning prayers. Listening to Him in Silence will surely make me Love Him and love my neighbour more. I had added more levels of complexity to my life than what was actually required. The retreat led me to the realisation of just following these simple steps above to listen to Him daily.
I come away from the retreat with answers to some of the questions that I have been searching for. It’s a start, a new beginning for me, and also trepidation that I should be able to hold on to my inner peace as I head back into the world. “ Dad you look happier than when I dropped you off!” exclaims my son as he comes to take me home at the end of the retreat. I do encourage you to experience the joys of a silent retreat in person when you can. Wish you a Happy Christmas.
PS: Contact details of the Center I attended my retreat are given in case you wish to visit.
Nava Spoorthi Kendra, Cookson Road, near Holy Ghost Church Bangalore 560084. Contact Fr Gerald Solomon CSsR at 78993 65162