Don't chase the butterfly

 Inspirational thought for the day... 

Happy b'day Mother Mary

 Received a photo from home with the following b'day drawing with another colourful handwritten note.  It was meant for Mother Mary on her b'day.  Mum told my niece Anet, the artist and author to send it to me so that I could convey the wishes which were written in English to Mother Mary.  By the time I called back home in the evening, Anet was convinced that Mother Mary did not have a language barrier!!  She knew all languages, nonetheless I managed to convince her to prepare her next greeting in Konkani.  What convinced her was my argument that everyone writes and talks to Mother Mary in English, very few in Konkani.  

All of this just to get her to learn some Konkani - our mother tongue. As it is, my brother's and my konkani is bad. Anet's is hilarious! 

Of names and changes

 Years ago when the Salesians were running a school in Cowley, Oxford the staff comprised mostly of Salesians.  There were only three lay people from outside employed as teachers!! 

During one year there was a young brother named Rudolf who was sent there for his practical training. The Rector did not want him to be the butt end of all jokes (as the red nosed reindeer) changed his name to Peter.  So he was called Br Peter.  The following year Br Peter Quinn arrived in Cowley.  In order to avoid clash of names and identities, Peter Quinn was renamed as Joseph Quinn.  The following year another Brother named Joseph arrived!!!  This went on for 7 years.  And each year the incoming Brother had to change his name - all because there already was one confrere by that name (which most often wasn't his original name at all)!

Baby shower

Re-watched the hindi movie Hum aapke hain koun... the first time I watched it was with a classmate of mine, Rajeev.  We went to a theatre in Secunderabad.  That was the first time we, my brother and I, watched a movie in a theatre, with anyone other than our parents. I still remember Willy and I went to Rajeev's house and when we arrived there, he was still sleeping.  His sister who answered the door was quite surprised to see us and her spontaneous statement was "They are so small!" Indeed compared to Rajeev, we were pygmies!!  

Anyhow, what caught my attention in the movie as I sat through it was the grant celebrations of the wedding and baby shower.  Then there is the tradition of the baby shower being attended by only the ladies!  When I was in the provincial house, Sheeba, was one of the consistent members of the DB Digits office. When she was carrying Grace, her first child, in all her ignorance, she invited me for her own baby shower ceremony.  Later I asked Rani (the Economer's secretary) as to when the house staff plan to go, so that I can join them and she replied with a hearty laugh, "Brother, it's meant only for ladies!!" 

It all came back to me when I came across this particular amusing cartoon of the nativity scene... no wonder why men are not allowed! 

Papal trivia

Gregory the great, whose feast we commemorate today, was the first monk to be elected Pope! And I think it would not be too far off the mark to say that it was Gregory who actually cemented the role of the Pope as a ruler, an administrator in the early years of Christianity.  Not that he intended it to be - certainly his priority was the spiritual growth and consolidation of the Church.  That is evident from his numerous letters and writings.  But his ability to foresee events and plan as per was something that went hand in hand with this catechetical skill. 

Moreover it is to him that it can be attributed the narrowing down of the election to the papacy (and roles of ecclesial hierarchy) from among the priestly and religious - again, no fault or plan of his!! 

Things are not to be loved for the sake of a place, but places are to be loved for the sake of their good things. 

When Augustine asked whether to use Roman or Gallican customs in the mass in England, Gregory said, in paraphrase, that it was not the place that imparted goodness but good things that graced the place, and it was more important to be pleasing to the Almighty.

Imitate their faith?

 The latter half of the New Testament and especially the epistles often contain this exhortation: Imitate their faith, citing the example of some of the renown Christians of the times. 

However, this exhortation has led to some confusion.  Not the exhortation itself but the way we have interpreted it - or failed to understand it.  When Paul exhorts the Corinthians to imitate the lives of the faith of the apostles, he and the people whom he is speaking to are both alive and present.  But faith is not something that is evident in and by itself!  How does one 'see' faith?  It is only words and action that one sees.  In such a scenario it is easy to 'imitate' the action rather than the unseen source that propels it.  For a first-time believer or a person interested, the curiosity is aroused primarily by what he or she sees the other say and do.  It is only much later that the person may (or may not) come to see that what actually moves the doer to say and do what is said and done!  And what if the doer himself or herself is still struggling very much with one's own grasp of faith?  Nonetheless, what one sees is the action, not faith itself. 

On the other hand, how else is faith made manifest?  There is no other alternative method either.  It is purely by one's way of life that the other sees the depth of that person's faith.  

How does one bridge this gap? How does one make the journey from action to belief? Something pragmatic to the metaphysical?  One way of looking at it purely from the human perspective, is to see this whole process as a merely human endeavour.  In such a case, it is easy to forget the role of the Spirit! On the other hand, even when we acknowledge the role of the Spirit, it does not explain everything.  Why is it that so many witness the good works but not all are led to the faith?  If the Spirit was impartial then all would be 'faithful'.  Herein comes the role of the individual.  So it is not all the working of the Spirit - alone.  

Whichever way we interpret and understand the process, as humans there is always the danger of imitating actions, rather than imbibing the faith!  If we truly imbibe the faith, actions - good ones at that - will naturally follow.  It is more like a vicious circle: faith is seen through good actions; but good actions alone do not end in faith; and even when one does have faith, one does not have any other means than good actions to bear witness to that faith.  

Sanctity and humour

 I'm not an artist or one to really comment on art, but could not help but notice the fact that most of the historical paintings of eminent artists, especially of the Biblical figures, are all very serious and tense.  One hardly comes across Biblical characters in a lighter mood or appearing really happy.  There is always a sort of tension prevailing within that gets reflected on the face. 

It is hard to imagine that all those Biblical characters or the saints of the past did not know how to smile or be happy.  Could not have been so - after all, they were all human and in most cases, convinced and passionate about their commitment. Of course, all of them did have to face a lot of trials and tribulations, but even those they gladly embraced.  Those difficulties did not count much in the face of their primary choice for God and His people.  So why the long, sad, brooding face?? 

I'm guessing such paintings were in a way reflecting the inner tension of the artist himself or herself.  Especially of paintings which portray great depth and personality, the artist must have really drained him/herself out to be filled in with the person he or she is painting.  That's a heavy toll on oneself.  So evidently that pours out through the brush and the expression.  But I suppose, in reality, these Biblical characters and Saints whose numerous paintings we come across were men and women of good cheer and humour.  Difficult to imagine otherwise!

Re-focussing

With the new academic year commencing today for the schools I feel a sense of relief that I'm not part of it.  Earlier in the year when I first heard that my services as a part time RE teacher would not be required, I felt bad.  But over time, I've realised the amount of time and energy it needed really drained me out and I couldn't afford it at this point of my research and study.  

Today as I see the hustle and bustle of life around the beginning of school and classes, am glad that I don't have to be 'anxious' any more of the same.  Challenging and satisfying as it was, I feel better off without that additional excitement, in order to focus on my own study.  

Come September

 

Artists: Bobby Darin and supported by Billy Vaughn Ochestra (1961)

Entering the last triad of the calendar year and the first term of the academic year - at least for those involved in active school apostolate! But for ordinary mortals like me, it's another month, but one beginning on a good note.  Feel optimistic and charged!  The last couple of months have been great for me - though of course, it has been catastrophic for most.  Never been more busy and well-organised... feel good about it all.  Wish to continue on that momentum this September too!