This morning one confrere during the meeting concluded his observation thus:
One cannot expect everyone to know everything on one's FINGER SPOTS!
This confrere often comes up with such words or phrases, with such confidence, in public, that those who know a little good use of English sometimes begin to doubt their own knowledge!
Among the Priests and religious there is an allergy towards the paper and desk. So anything to do with studies, documentation, forms, surveys, reflection is always the last thing to be attempted - if at all one does. The contemporary religious are light years away from the priests and monks of the medieval ages who excelled in diverse fields.
Today our morning discussion as part of the Mission Poverty Eradication review, I realised another dimension of the same 'desk-fatigue'. But this dimension has more to do with a lack of organisation and repetition that leads one to slump everytime one hears or is told to fill out a form.
There is a tussle between engaging oneself in/with charismatic services or apostolate on the one hand, and keeping tab on the impact or effect, on the other. Called to be apostles, the Gospel does not tell us to keep track of all the good one does: let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing. One is called to love and do good. End of story. But unless one does an assessment or review of what one has done and if that has actually done some benefit, one does not know if he or she has to continue the service, the style and the procedure or rework it all. Furthermore there is the fear of the inability to answer the question: 'What are you doing?' or 'What did you do?'
While the value of accountability can never be undermined, on the one hand is the accountability to God and to one's own conscience. For this no log book or account abstract need to be prepared. On the other hand, one is also called to be accountable to our benefactors, the government, the religious community, the society at large.
One has to have a BALANCED approach. If lobsided, one might as well live in a cloistered monastery (but even there one will have to be accountable in the latter sense!) or in a cave, all by oneself. And if leaning on the other side, one might not be charismatic.
We all need that someone who gets you like no one else
Right when you need it the most
We all need a soul to rely on, a shoulder to cry on
A friend through the highs and the lows
Sherlock Holmes and his smart assistant Dr. Watson go on a camping trip, enjoy a heavy barbeque dinner with a bottle of whisky, set up their tent, and fall asleep.
Some hours later, Holmes wakes his faithful friend. “Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.” Watson replies, “I see millions of stars.” “What does that tell you?” Watson ponders for a minute. “Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Timewise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, it’s evident the Lord is all powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?”
Holmes is silent for a moment, then speaks. “Watson, you idiot, someone has stolen our tent!”
Watson had missed the most obvious observation. He was clever enough to notice the complexities of the stars, but he missed what was plain and simple.
I remember this particular phrase in the book Jesus plan for a new world, which the author uses to describe the apostles, as to how they had "the amazing ability to miss the point." Even the most best of us sometimes miss the obvious.
Sometime in the morning, while scrolling through a news article, I came across this particular teaching asking her students to come up with a creative writing essay about the conversation between two dogs. I thought it was a brilliant idea evoking and tickling creative energies of children. I'd love to see what my nephew and niece would come up with, if I were to assign them this task!
And just as I was calling it a day - or night? - I came across this cartoon!
After long - really a very long time - feel a sense of excitement about the various tasks being carried out. I think, today I practically touched every field of work that I have ever involved myself in (except Philosophy!!!).
Almost completed a script for a 60 sec video on the theme of solar energy production, keeping in mind for a school ... in line with my own responsibility of administration. But with my media experience! Feel good about it. Of course, the video itself is not started. But the concept, and it taking the shape of a script is greatly fulfilling.
Then there was the issue of property tax and its nuanced loopholes and solutions as well. Great lengths of discussion and learning about it today.
Land matters is something that is becoming something of a common topic everyday! More problems and in a way, more possibilities as well. Talking about it with people of interest, gave me a possibility which never occurred to me before. That was exciting!
Then there was a large chunk of the day spent on moving forward a project on digital documentation. As I confessed in my mail to all those involved, having people so excited about it and breathing down on our necks (in a very very positive manner) propels the rest of us to action. Besides the adventure of the work itself, there is also the thrill of working with like-minded passionate people. Oh, it is a great adrenalin boost!
Being the economer, not a day goes by without doing some math! So it was!
Today I have been discussing with various people, about various issues, legal and land matters. It has been very diverse and complicated. During one such conversation after supper at table, here in Vijayawada, I remembered an incident nearly four years ago.
I had just taken charge as the Economer and one day along with Thathi and KP Mathew found myself in Mallepalli, Nalgonda. We were doing a land survey of a plot of land promised to us Salesians. As I was assisting the surveyor, with his tape and digital pole, at one point I noticed Thathi smiling. When asked what he was amused at, he replied, "Instead of some chalk you are now holding tapes and poles!"
Well, at times I chuckle to myself. From what to where have I come, in these part four years! From being a teacher of philosophy to a financial administrator! That too with no background whatsoever about matters related to law, land, administration and finance! That said, do I have any regrets? None at all. Because I know what I am here for is not to do what I want to, but what God and the Congregation wants me to. Mine is not to ask what and where, but to do with my whole heart whatever it is that is asked for the good of all, especially the young.
A group of two brothers were roaming in the forest, when they found a couple of tiny birds of the family of linnets. When the boys got the birds home, they put the linnets in a cage, opposite the canary bird, which was held in another cage. (Canary birds are known to be “Singing Birds”)
They explained to their mother that they hoped the linnets - being so young - would learn to imitate the singing canary. Instead of cheeping as normally birds do, they expected them to sing (like the canary).
The next day the boys entered the room, and exclaimed: "Mother, come here, look what has happened! Our canary is cheeping like a linnet!" The mother came in and found it so!
Instead of the linnets learning to sing, the canary bird forgot its ability to sing! Thus, the canary had to be separated from the wild birds of the wood and kept under cover for a time before regaining the singing ability.
Such is the case with Christians or anyone who allow themselves to be “influenced and altered” by the ways of the world! We may end up losing the “Song of our Faith!”
[Reflection by Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS]
We Salesians have earned for ourselves a reputation for 'going big'. Our interventions on behalf of the young are often mega events and involving large numbers.
Our buildings and homes are huge. So much so, that if we have a small residence or building we feel claustrophobic - the young therein are absolutely not bothered by the size of the building though!
Perhaps this has been one of our characteristic style of operating. But we need to realise that we have huge multiple buildings but no children therein! If we do, they are so few that even if we allot a room for each, we will still have rooms to spare! We may still be blessed with 6-7 digit figure project funding, but those projects define our apostolate; not the need of the place or the poor that define our mission.
Sooner than later we will need to radically rewire ourselves, our attitude and our approach to see apostolate as disjoint from buildings, projects, and a 'me-first' outlook. Move from 'going big' to 'going deep'.
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| Don Bosco's boys spilled all over the place and then he built bigger places; he didn't build mega houses and then look for boys to fill the house! |
