Phone calls and responsibility

Two years ago, I only needed to recharge my cell phone once a day. Now a days I have to recharge it nearly thrice on most days. Of course, the phone battery itself is not getting any younger or better, but certainly the number of phone calls have increased. 

I am quite sure that this is not an indicator of my importance or status!! Far from it. If the increase in phone calls is an indicator it is of my inefficiency in making people and confreres independent.  The more the calls, the greater their reliance on me, rather than on themselves. I understand and appreciate those calls which are more for keeping me updated; but if for any other reason, then rather than forming the confreres to be self-reliant and interdependent (primarily on their own community confreres), they are becoming dependent on me. Which isn't a good sign for growth and maturity. 

So I constantly keep pushing the ball back in their court. Getting them to take primary responsibility and only assuring my support; not me taking on their responsibilities. 

Sacrifice and purpose

Sacrifice or detachment without a purpose is like going to the beach and returning without even getting ones feet wet in the sea! Good, but not noble enough.  Having a purpose and higher motive ennobles the already good act of giving up something. Good to sacrifice, but let's not sacrifice the purpose! 

Giving up meals or meat or something favourite for the season of Lent, could be a health benefit but if one wishes to make it a Lenten special, it has to be linked to Jesus.  

The ocean and a drop

Mother Teresa once compared her own charitable works to a drop in the ocean; nonetheless qualified it as important by concluding that if she were not to do that work, the ocean would be less by a drop! 

Lessons: 

1. We do not see drops of water in the ocean; we merely see the ocean. If each drop were to seek a distinct identity and not be seen as in union with the other, there would only be drops but no ocean. Unity in diversity is the key; not the latter alone! 
2. Only the ocean survives the summer heat, not individuated water drops or small water bodies. Our vision should outlast our life and work. 
3. Strive for quality; not rest on the laurels of some minor achievements. Aim small, achieve small. Aim big, achieve big!
   
   
   

Epitaph

I know what I want my epitaph to read... if at all I have one! 

"He lies a good man!"

But ironically, I do not want this to be written, because I said so, but because people by themselves genuinely feel so. 

Tell me

Just came across this Punjabi song and it kept me awake till I completed my tasks for the night!!! 

Wolves to lambs?

Don Bosco, in his dream at the age of 9, saw the vast group of children before him.  He later saw the wolves and was invited to change them in to meek lambs.  

I was pleasantly amused to hear Fr Pascual Chavez, as part of his retreat talks to the GC29 members, speak about the modern need or task of the Salesians: To prevent the lambs from becoming wolves!  

Very very true and challenging indeed. 

Greater challenge, as for me, is to ensure that we Salesians do not turn in to wolves!!! 

Being on God's side

During the US civil war, a group of pastors met President Abraham Lincoln and while at breakfast stated, "Mr President, at this time of the civil war, we pray that God is on our side." To which Abe replied, "No gentlemen. Let us pray that we are on God's side!"

True indeed, a great reminder for each of us to seek God's will rather than expect God to support our desires and fantasies.  That religion is more about being open to God than using God as a means to do what we want.  

Formation criteria

The Salesian formation guide, The Ratio, (at least in its earlier edition) states it clearly that formation guides while helping youngsters and young Salesians discern their vocation to Salesian religious life are to look for 'an abundance of good qualities'; and not just be satisfied by 'an absence of negative or bad qualities'.  

There is a world of difference between the two.  It is not enough to not do anything wrong or bad, or even do nothing at all.  One needs to be passionate and active in doing good and striving to be good.  Without that effort, one is already showing signs of being a parasite!  

Abundance

The readings of the day speak of the reason for the floods in the earliest of days, as narrated in the book of Genesis.  God sees evil prevailing and wishes for a fresh start.  In the Gospel of the day we see Jesus questioning the doubtful nature of mankind, even after witnessing his miraculous production of food for the thousands, from the little available. 

What stands out for me in both these readings is the abundance that prevails in God's presence. Yahweh decides to destroy the earth, but he makes provision for life to replenish.  He spares a human family and ensures that there is a pair of every living creature... that too a reproductive pair.  Then Jesus brings out of the little bread and fish, the abundance of food for every person present on those different occasions. 

As humans we often fail to see the abundance of goodness. We restrict our vision to the little and few.  Nothing odd or bad about that perspective.  Nonetheless, the Lord invites us to see and be part of the abundance that is bound to prevail, when in God's presence... Don Bosco's view of the Divine Providence! 

Imitation

At times and in some confreres and communities there is this bug of imitation... not of the challenging or conviction aspect of others but of the grandeur and splendour of things!  That guy has remodelled his office, so let me also renovate my office and go for false ceiling.  He has gone to Hyderabad this month, so let me also take off.  That community has put up interlocking bricks along the drive, so let's do the same. In that community, they gave us each a t-shirt for this celebration, so let's give each a pair of branded trousers this time! My rector has taken 15,000/- this month for his expenses, so will I. 

This is precisely the offshoot of a misplaced focus: when our attention and priorities shift from Jesus of the Gospel and the poor, every glittering thing appears good and necessary. It is a matter of getting our priorities right. 

Needs before wants... all the more as religious, being generous and joyful in placing the needs of the poor before my personal luxury and desires.  

Person and his/her growth before setting my own legacy in stone (through a building or property). 

Christ and his values, before my own fancy plans and eogistic castles. 

Initiating a process of change, rather than complete an event with all pomp and glamour.