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KURSEONG:The spiritual retreat of the Animators was held at Auxilium, Kurseong from 14 – 21 March 2022.Listen!Listen to the voice of God! Turn away from sinful ways! We felt like St. John the Baptist has come alive to tell us once again that this is the opportune time to get into the right path to focus on to our only goal in life. Thus Rev. Fr. Biji Thomas began with scripture quotes one after another to immerse us in the depth of our interior life challenging us as animators to switch on to a life of listening to the one who called us with a purpose: “ for those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son.”(Rom 8:29). Like the precursor Fr. Biji pointed out how often we make peace with our sins and showed us the way to purify ourselves listening to the voice of God through biblical quotations. We have only one choice either heaven or hell. Prepare for it using seriously the means given to us repent and do penance for your sins of pride, arrogance, vane glory, rebellion, stubbornness, disobedience, hypocrisy, lies etc. Turn away from your old path, keep your steps on the right track towards God then you will find way to eternal joy. |
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Like the precursor Fr. Biji pointed out how often we make peace with our sins and showed us the way to purify ourselves listening to the voice of God through biblical quotations. We have only one choice either heaven or hell. Prepare for it using seriously the means given to us repent and do penance for your sins of pride, arrogance, vane glory, rebellion, stubbornness, disobedience, hypocrisy, lies etc. Turn away from your old path, keep your steps on the right track towards God then you will find way to eternal joy. The path to eternal life is open to all the only block on the way is sin. The variety of ‘blocks’ on our way including the invisible ones was discussed in detail and how to remove them. “Listen to the voice of God “was the clarion call all through our retreat. Every sin is against God therefore assess the gravity of our sins against our creator who gave us everything (1 Cor. 4:7) deserves all praise. So train yourself to give all glory to God and have a ‘Reality check’ daily: “How have I tried to be Christ like today. He stressed that as religious the gravity of our sins will be more as the vows are binding and sins against them are grievous. Some of the convictions that accelerated us to live a life of integrity are: • Humility is the awareness that I am nothing, I have nothing, rather all that I am and all that I have is gift of God. • Pride – coveting as mine what belongs to God. • The need to shift from being God of little things to a person who love Jesus with great passion giving 100%- if not we are cheating God. • Necessity of being on the mountain that is a life steeped in the Holy Spirit leading one to do everything only for the glory of God- Things done for self are just rags. • The responsibility of a leader is to provide and protect as he or she is just a steward. The primary duty is to discern the will of God listening to the voice of God in silent prayer. • When God anoints he gives his spirit (1Samuel 16:13) Stir into flame the gift of God that your received (1Timothy 1:6) that they might be with Him and he might send them forth ( Be a disciple first and then an apostle) • Trust given begets loyalty and responsibility so avoid policing, investigation and judiciary • When you complain you are being blind to the graciousness of God. Fr. Biji provided a great treasure chest of scripture quotes for the following: How to become like Christ, Discernment, How to deal with evil in others, How to deal with evil in oneself, 4th commandment, 5th commandment, temptations. Carrying this treasure chest of the word and enthused by the flame set ablaze by the zeal of Fr. Biji Thomas the animators who lived on the mountain a life in the Holy Spirit descended to live with determination their call to give their all without counting the cost. |
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