Book Title: Spiritual Wellsprings: C.M. Thomas’s Encounter with Jesus
Author/Subject: C.M. Thomas Maliekel
Editors: Francis Arackal, OP, and Tom Thomas
Genre: Christian Spirituality / Memoir / Devotional Literature
Price: Rs. 320 (Amazon)
Some books speak to the intellect; others appeal to the emotions. A fewer number reach deeper, inviting readers into honest self-reflection and a renewed relationship with the Divine. Spiritual Wellsprings: C.M. Thomas’s Encounter with Jesus, edited by Fr. Francis Arackal, OP, and the subject’s son, Mr. Tom Thomas—a Catholic entrepreneur and writer based in Bengaluru—belongs to this category.
The volume compiles retreat notes written by C.M. Thomas (fondly called Thommachhan) during his regular and half-yearly spiritual exercises. These retreats were conducted both at Dhyanashrama, Mount St. Joseph, Bengaluru, and within the quiet of his home. Through candid self-examinations and spiritual insights gathered over 88 years of Christian life, the book echoes themes found in the Biblical Psalms and Wisdom literature. It does not offer a model of flawless sanctity but instead presents the honest journey of a layman continually returning to divine mercy. It also illustrates how Thomas integrated Christian and Catholic values into his professional life, first as a teacher and later as an industrialist.
1. The Davidic Trajectory: From Weakness to Grace
A central strength of Thomas’s reflections is his unvarnished honesty. He rejects the pretence of a flawless spiritual life. His journey mirrors that of King David—blessed and raised from humble beginnings, yet intimately acquainted with human weakness and failure.
As a layman navigating worldly complexities, Thomas shows through his retreat notes that a spiritual fall is never final. At the close of each retreat, he disciplined himself to write concrete “Take Home Points.” Drawing on Ignatian practices of daily self-examination and meditative home retreats, he demonstrates how acknowledging faults opens the way for God’s restorative grace. His reflections suggest that no problem is beyond resolution with the help of Jesus.
2. The Alchemy of Grief and Providence
Thomas’s life was marked by significant losses: the early death of his father, the loss of his two priest brothers, the anxieties of World War II, and the premature demise of his wife.
These hardships did not produce bitterness. Instead of questioning or blaming God, Thomas practised a theology of surrender, uniting his grief with the Passion of Christ. Even in secular milestones—such as an unexpected career opportunity in Nigeria—he saw divine intervention. For him, such events testified to God’s providence, showing that God can open doors that appear closed to human eyes.
3. Everyday Holiness, the “Unordained Priest,” and the Holy Mass
One of the most accessible dimensions of Thomas’s spirituality is his conviction that ordinary life is the path to holiness. He lived with the mindset of an “unordained priest,” seeking inner detachment from worldly pleasures while sanctifying daily tasks. Central to this was his reverence for the Holy Mass. For him, the Eucharist was not a weekly obligation but the source and summit of daily strength—a living encounter with Christ.
Through home retreats, he showed that a family living room can become a chapel and the human heart an altar, where work, rest, and recreation are offered to God. Extending this to creation, Thomas viewed the Genesis command not as an environmental option but as sacred stewardship. Caring for plants, protecting living things, and honouring nature were, for him, intrinsic forms of praising the Creator—a lesson for younger generations. He also highlighted the Holy Rosary not as rote ritual but as a spiritual discipline leading the soul to Jesus. He calls readers to gain salvation by serving God in words, deeds, commitment, and charity, challenging them to be true Christophers (Christ-bearers).
4. Reflections on the Psalms
A significant anchor of Thomas’s spiritual life was his immersion in Scripture. He systematically meditated on and incorporated scriptural lessons into daily living, drawing particular strength from Psalms 18, 21, 34, 65, 66, 30, 25, 39, 40, and 51. These chapters guided his expressions of praise, periods of repentance, and moments of trust in God’s deliverance, restoration, and healing.
5. The Radical Theology of Mercy and Forgiveness
For those weighed down by past errors, Thomas offers a liberating perspective. He frames Christ’s forgiveness not as a passive theological idea but as an active, freeing force. He advises: “Do not keep looking back at the past; turn your eyes towards Jesus.” In his view, grace does not erase sin’s stain but breaks the chains of regret and self-condemnation, granting psychological peace and the courage to begin anew. He even challenges readers to bless their enemies—a demanding but profound expression of Christian love.
6. From Achievement to Deep Humility
Though the text hints at notable professional and personal milestones, Thomas’s spiritual trajectory is one of humility. He warns against self-glorification: “We should never boast before others about our achievements, because if another person had received the opportunities we received, they might have accomplished even more.”
Rather than using achievements to elevate oneself, Thomas argues they should be platforms to lift others, practise charity, and extend blessings even to those who oppose us. To navigate this path, he introduces the AAA Principle (Aware, Acknowledge, Accept) as a practical tool to confront personal flaws honestly and surrender them to God. Through this, he redefines salvation in light of his lived experiences with God.
7. A Spirituality of Eternity and True Wealth
Thomas lived with a profound awareness of the world’s transience, viewing earthly existence as a temporary garment worn by the soul. With his eyes fixed on eternity, he did not approach death with fear but as a long-awaited meeting with Jesus. He reminds Catholic Christians that we enter and leave this world with nothing. True wealth, therefore, is measured by the love given, the lives comforted, and the depth of one’s relationship with God.
Conclusion: Three Dimensions of One Spiritual Journey
Spiritual Wellsprings succeeds because it weaves three interconnected dimensions of C.M. Thomas’s life into a cohesive whole:
- Ordinary work becomes continuous prayer, and care for creation becomes divine service.
- Genuine repentance leads to forgiveness, and divine grace brings restoration.
- A life marked not by loud words but by the quiet testimony of a loving father and grandfather who prioritised spiritual inheritance over material wealth.
This legacy is carried forward by his co-editors, Fr. Francis Arackal and son, Mr. Tom Thomas. For readers seeking to transform daily routines into sacred encounters, the book conveys the essence of Totus Tuus—being “Totally Yours” in surrender to Jesus. Thomas’s conviction in living a life oriented toward God stands as the core of his witness. May readers find inspiration to walk in similar footsteps, living for the glory of God.
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The author, Florence Varghese Christy, is a teacher and Catholic writer who contributes to global Catholic media ministries. She previously served as Sub-Editor of Shalom Times Tamil magazine. She currently resides in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, India.