Maranatha retreat house at Janda Baik
The seed of going on a retreat to this Jesuit retreat house in Janda Baik, Kuala Lumpur, was planted in May this year. We heard so much about the place from Sr. Sonia Arao (of the Cenacle Sisters) that we, in the Wednesday meditation group, requested her to do the booking for us. We then left everything in the hands of God.
We left for Singapore last Aug. 25 and stayed in Singapore up to the 27th. We were booked at the Maranatha Retreat House from the 27th in the afternoon.
All eight of us—Sr. Sonia, Abe and Tess Lucero, Rheasa Blanco, Jo Ocubillo, Elizabeth Go, Jean Ng and I—were all speechless when we reached the top of the mountain where the retreat house nestled in serenity with the tranquil spirit of the place pervading around its surroundings and embracing us. Jaws agape, we said ’’Wow!’’
The retreat house has for a backdrop a secondary jungle. We know there were monkeys living barely 10 meters away from us because we heard them chattering loudly to each other, enough to let us know they existed. But the birds, oh the birds! They came in all colors and sizes. The orchestra they entertained us with was an experience not to be missed. They do not chirp. They whistlee, cooed, crooned and sang. The only species I recognized was our
siloy and the Philippine dove, the tukmo. I will try to draw a picture of the big open space on which the retreat house rests. As one reaches the place, the first thing that meets one’s eye is the gondola that is a painting by itself. Surrounding the gondola, which leads to the retreat house, are statuesque trees. Along the pathways are colorful flowers and trees arranged by man (like the birds of paradise, and the white and pink roses). Everywhere you turn, you see God’s hand wish of beauty.
During one of our retreat breaks, we were all at the gondola just enjoying the fresh, mountain breeze and the greenery when we saw a mother bird patiently teaching her young to fly. She had the wing spread and size of a hawk and she was arranged in a beautiful deep blue color. Her little one tried to fly, then flopped in one of the tree branches. All of us were silent as we watched mother and child go through the ordinary task of surviving in the jungle. We were privileged to watch the show of love because the birds there were not afraid of people.
Life around Maranatha retreat house in one of peace. Waters from a spring come to us through man-made pipes into no less than three pools. One large pool is just next to the chapel, another is on the same level as our ground flows and another pool at the basement. The pools have fish in them.
I don’t think I can describe in words (the beauty of) the chapel where we had our retreat sessions. Suffice it to say that in the amidst of the secondary jingle through our open glass windows, an aura of ‘’Presence’’ could be found there. God’s expression of his love for us could be seen through nature. Before I end my column, let me share this prayer posted in the bulletin board just outside our dining room. Sorry, there there was no author.
Prayer for Stillness
God of stillness and creative action, Discover the inner help us to find the space meaning of silence for quietness today and learn the wisdom that we may live creatively, that heals the world.
Send peace and joy May your still small will to each quiet peace be heard through Christ to all who are waiting and listening in the love of spirit, Amen.