The Gospel of the day speaks of John the Baptists' courage and determination to stand for truth no matter what. Fr Maliekal rightly used the word 'whistle-blower' to describe him during the homily today evening. Rarely does one get to see such courage and determination.
Reflecting deeper I realised that the whistle-blower derives his courage and strength from within. That's why no matter what the external circumstances are, he does not crumble. Moreover this attitude is not something that one begins to show all of a sudden. It is a basically a process. And as one said, those on such a path often end up walking alone.
I screened the movie, Oh My God for the third year students today as part of my course on Philosophy of Religion. It took nearly four hours of the day because I was posing questions and having discussions all along, especially at crucial points or whenever there was something worthwhile spoken between the main characters. There is one scene towards the end when one of the pujari openly supports the protagonist atheist, that too in blatant opposition to 'his own' fellow priests and religious leaders. When one of the Brothers pointed out that to be a very valuable insight that as Priests' one ought not to make a business out of religion, I asked him what about the courage to stand up and challenge everyone else for what you believe and hold to be true. Now that requires inner conviction, impeccable conduct and a sincere commitment to what is true and good.
Reflecting deeper I realised that the whistle-blower derives his courage and strength from within. That's why no matter what the external circumstances are, he does not crumble. Moreover this attitude is not something that one begins to show all of a sudden. It is a basically a process. And as one said, those on such a path often end up walking alone.
I screened the movie, Oh My God for the third year students today as part of my course on Philosophy of Religion. It took nearly four hours of the day because I was posing questions and having discussions all along, especially at crucial points or whenever there was something worthwhile spoken between the main characters. There is one scene towards the end when one of the pujari openly supports the protagonist atheist, that too in blatant opposition to 'his own' fellow priests and religious leaders. When one of the Brothers pointed out that to be a very valuable insight that as Priests' one ought not to make a business out of religion, I asked him what about the courage to stand up and challenge everyone else for what you believe and hold to be true. Now that requires inner conviction, impeccable conduct and a sincere commitment to what is true and good.
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