20 August, Tuesday — If you are willing to listen, you will learn.

Aug 20 – Memorial for St. Bernard, abbot, doctor

St. Bernard (1090-1153) founded and led a monastery which had over 700 monks and 160 daughter houses. He revised and reformed the Cistercians, and was advisor to, and admonisher of, King Louis the Fat and King Louis the Young, and spiritual advisor to Pope Eugenius III, who had originally been one of his monks. Every morning, Bernard would ask himself, “Why have I come here?”, and then remind himself of his main duty – to lead a holy life.

Eze 28:1-10
Mt 19:23-30

“…it will be hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of heaven… it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of heaven.“

In early July, I had the opportunity to participate in the Prayer Experience Retreat (PER) for the second time, having first attended it in June 2013. Despite having served in this retreat numerous times, it felt unusual to be a ‘retreatant’ once more. I couldn’t help but wonder, “I’ve been through this retreat so many times, what more could I possibly gain? Haven’t I already heard it all?”

The Lord, in His wisdom, addressed my skepticism on Day One. At my assigned dining table, a poster bore the words from Sirach 6:33: “If you are willing to listen, you will learn.” With this message, I resolved to listen attentively and take notes.

Throughout the retreat, we were introduced to various levels and methods of prayer. One aspect that resonated deeply with me was the description of the different stages of the spiritual journey. The final stage, which few of us ever reach, is the Unitive Way. This path is for those who have achieved a state of spiritual perfection. Their minds are so detached from worldly concerns that they experience profound peace. These individuals are not swayed by numerous desires or intense passions. Their thoughts are primarily focused on God, and they frequently, if not constantly, turn their attention to Him.

One of the characteristics of the Unitive Way is that individuals become detached from worldly things, attaining great peace, and are not swayed by desires or sinful passions. Having largely been purified from these influences, their minds are chiefly centered on God. This stage is termed “unitive” because it signifies a union with God through love and the practical experience and exercise of that love.

What struck me were my encounters with two individuals after that weekend. These interactions made me reflect deeply on the nature of humanity and the transformative power of Christianity. Each person embodied different aspects of the spiritual journey, highlighting how faith purifies and elevates us.

At a dinner catch-up with some friends and ex-colleagues whom I hadn’t seen for at least 30 years, one individual remarked that human beings are the only species on earth that believe in the existence of a being (in this case, God) that they cannot see. This individual was clearly an atheist and to the outside world, appeared to be very successful, with all the trappings of someone who has ‘made it’ in the world. His comment brought to mind today’s first reading:

“Being swollen with pride, you have said, ‘I am a god; I am sitting on the throne of God, surrounded by the seas’…By your wisdom and your intelligence you have amassed great wealth; you have piles of gold and silver inside your treasure-houses. Such is your skill in trading, your wealth has continued to increase, and with this your heart has grown more arrogant” (Ezekiel 28:2,4-5).

This passage resonated deeply with me as I reflected on the conversation. The reading underscores how earthly success and intelligence can lead to a sense of self-sufficiency and pride, causing one to forget or deny the existence of a higher power. This pride, born of material success, blinds people to the spiritual reality that transcends their achievements.

As I listened to my friend, I realized that his confidence and success had created a kind of spiritual blindness, making it difficult for him to perceive anything beyond the tangible and measurable. It reminded me of the dangers of allowing wealth and wisdom to foster arrogance, obscuring the deeper truths of our existence and the presence of God.

In this moment, I felt a renewed gratitude for my faith, which provides a counterbalance to the pride and self-sufficiency that can come with worldly success. It was a poignant reminder that true wisdom lies in recognizing our dependence on something greater than ourselves, a humility that leads to genuine peace and fulfilment.

Separately, I visited a ministry mate who, by worldly standards, is also very successful. She lives in a small and relatively exclusive residential enclave in Singapore, where signs of ostensible wealth are everywhere. However, upon visiting her home, one would notice how ‘barren’ and minimalistic it is. Yes, the house has the square footage that 77.8% of those living in public housing can only dream of. This individual shared that, upon her conversion, she learned that as humans, we don’t really need many ‘things’ and the trappings of life. She proceeded to get rid of the excess and today, lives simply, deeply fulfilled with ministry work and community.

She exuded a sense of peace and contentment that seemed almost otherworldly. Her calm demeanour and unwavering focus on serving others were a testament to her detachment from worldly anxieties. It was clear that her deep faith and prayer life had led her to a place of profound inner tranquillity.

Through these experiences, I have come to understand that true fulfilment does not come from material wealth or societal success, but from a deep and abiding faith. This faith transforms us, guiding us to a life of simplicity, peace, and profound connection with God.

Reflecting on this retreat, I realized that despite my familiarity with the material, there was always more to learn and deeper insights to gain. It reinforced the importance of remaining open and receptive, as there is always room for spiritual growth and transformation. The PER reminded me that there is always more to learn, and that one’s spiritual journey is that of continual growth and discovery.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Geraldine Nah)

Prayer: Lord, help me to remain pliable and not be misguided by the world’s expectations. May the Holy Spirit grant me the fortitude to stay faithful to You and dedicated to prayer. Lead me to seek the true riches of Heaven and to let go of worldly attachments. Strengthen my resolve to walk the path of spiritual growth, always keeping my heart and mind centered on You.

Thanksgiving: Thank you, Lord, for providing me with my daily bread. I am grateful for the gift of the Holy Spirit and for the many people You place in my life to accompany me on this spiritual journey. Your blessings sustain me, and Your guidance lights my path. Thank you for Your unwavering love and for the community of faith that supports and enriches my walk with You. Amen.