The Quiet Day retreat for the first term of the academic year 2013-14 was
held in the UTC on July 30 and 31 in the Ziegenbalgh chapel of the UTC. The Rt.
Rev. Dr. V. Devasahayam, the bishop of the CSI Madras diocese lead the sessions
for the quiet day retreat.
Bishop Devasahayam spoke on the
UTC theme for the year “Christian discipleship: Call, cost and commitment.” He
spoke at length on all the sub themes and developed a spirituality which can be
emulated by theological students and future pastors. He brought in the need for
spiritual development centres in theological colleges.
The bishop developed the theme of
a Christian call by saying that a call is not dependent on human merit or
virtues. God fancies calling the meek to put to shame the powerful. He said
that “God does not call the qualified but qualifies the called.” The call for
discipleship is also a call for a new life. One should be child like and be
ready to change. Discipleship also implies companionship. It is being in the
company of Jesus. Discipleship suggests following. The shepherd is the
father, the sheep the people, Jesus the gate and the Holy Spirit the gate
keeper. One should resemble Christ and commit to the values of the kingdom.
Bishop Devasahayam expressed that
discipleship is collective discipleship. The Holy Spirit is given to a
community. Are we able to escape the divisions of class, caste and gender? Every
such division is a denial of discipleship and the Christian church. Discipleship aims at continuity.
Jesus taught his disciples the
way of the cross. One must base one’s faith on this. One must do away with
selfishness and choose a life of sacrifice. Therefore, one must lose one’s life
to gain it. Suffering has a redemptive value. Bishop Devasahayam was happy to
be in his alma mater and lead the quiet day this year.
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