Re-installing el Capitan on an iMac (early 2008)

Wrestling with an old iMac (early 2008) which I bought second hand on ebay... 

After spending almost 24 hrs trying to merely re-install the macOS (el Capitan), learnt quite a few lessons... the hard hard way! 

Learnt the hard way that you need an apple ID for everything!! 

But after you are forced to create an ID, you need to validate it. 

Fill in your payment and billing details. 

No matter on which system you created the ID, you then need to open one of the apple services (music, itunes, ...) and login and fill in your details again!! 

After all this you get the message that the application (installation) is temporarily unavailable... that's because if you've not downloaded any OS before using that 'new' account, then you cannot download the required software! It requires the ID of the one who purchased it! 

So you're left with no option other than use a usb to start a clean install... easier said than done!! I thought Windows was a nightmare! Apple was worse!  Perhaps it would have been easier if I had another mac system - which I didn't.  So had to juggle between my all-time favourite Linux and Windows. 

By this time discovered a similarly distressed soul who had chronicled his struggle: 

https://blog.dhampir.no/content/reinstalling-a-used-imac-20-inch-early-2008

Using the office Win. 8.1 edition system created a bootable usb. (Downloaded the el Capitan disk image file - not the rar type!!, then loaded that onto the usb using techmac or something). 

Inserted into the first usb port of the backside of the iMac (when viewed from the back). 

Restarted it, used CMD + R to boot from the usb. Learning from the previous site, changed the date to the present time. Got a new error message. Surprise??? 

Then found another apple forum which said, you don't need a usb... just change the date to mid 2017.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250793420

Tried that!! No success.  

Then did a mix-match ... changed the date to starting of 2017, restarted it to boot from the usb... and lo and behold!!!!!!  

Have el Capitan up and running on the iMac!! HURRAH!!! Thanks pretty much to the two websites and their useful info! 

One down, one more to go! Hope apple does not spring any fresh surprises! 

The Church: Euro-centric?

 The Church is often viewed as European or Euro-centric.  Even among those who see Christianity as a 'foreign religion' they view it so because it is 'from Europe'.  The white man's religion! This is something quite taken for granted.  But we forget - very easily and comfortably - that Jesus and the early Christianity were all very much situated in the middle-East.  Jesus was born and later carried out his whole ministry in Israel. Though it is true that the apostles did cross national boundaries, it is actually with Constantine embracing Christianity and making it the state religion, that Christianity spread far and wide.  That Rome has played a central role in the development of Christianity as a popular universal religion can never be questioned.  But it all began in the middle-East - not in Europe!! 

The universality of the Church and of Christianity is not a quality of it being present in most of the world, and predominantly in Europe.  Universality is its virtue to be able to embrace the world - not the world embracing Christianity.  

The Ichthys

 For the early Christians, the cross was not the first choice of representation.  The cross was still too traumatic and tragic.  It was more a sign of oppression and tool of death, rather than salvation.  What was actually and most widely used as a symbol of Christianity was the Ichthys, the fish.  

The catacombs do not have a cross. Instead what is found in them is the image of the fish.  This represented the meal, the gathering for which Christians gathered, especially in hiding in the catacombs and in private homes. It represented the Eucharist!  

Perhaps it is with Helena bringing the cross from Jerusalem, along with the soil, and its exaltation as a basilica, that devotion the Cross gained popularity.  I suppose by then the Romans had given up using that means as a punishment (but not sure of that). And as time progresses, the cross soon replaces the fish as the symbol of Christian faith.  

Would Christianity have a different outlook or identity if we would have persevered or chosen to stick to the fish rather than the cross??  I believe it would have had significant impact on how we perceive ourselves to be!  For one, more Eucharistic, for certain!  

Sunshine

The English obsession with the sunshine is well-known.  Summer is the most looked out for season of the year.  Not only because it is the season for holiday but because the sun is out.  Most preferred holiday destinations are places where it is warm and sunny.  And the best holidays are those that are spent in the sun - even if it is just laying down basking in the sun!! 

As an Indian, I find this fascination with the sun - often bordering obsession - quite amusing.  At times, I wonder what's so special about the sun.  People like me and others from Africa, will do everything possible to get away from the sun!! So seeing others crave for the sun appears a bit weird.  

I guess it is a cultural thing.  I'm sure it is the same feeling the Brits have looking at us amazed by the snow.  Anyway, each of us has our own peculiarities and eccentricities!!  And each one seeks for his or her own bit of sunshine!! 

Selling free

For quite a few days now we have been passing by a particular sign near one of the houses we walk past for our evening Rosary which announces that it is up for sale.  What caught our attention and intrigued us when we first saw it was the tagline: Sell your home for free! 

It really took us some time to get our heads around the meaning of that line.  We ultimately deduced that the housing agent will not charge a fee for overseeing the sale of the house.  Perhaps the tagline best reads: Sell your house without a fee.  Certainly not giving away the house for free!!  

Prayer

 Prayer and the candle light have much in common.  Like prayer, the candle light is unselfish.  The radiance of the light remains the same;  whether placed in a dark room or out in the sun.  The light does not diminish itself under the sun or brighten itself in a dark room. It emits the same light.  Only when in the dark do we appreciate better the candle and if out in the open we do not seek one.  But that does not affect the candle light. Most often we have recourse to prayer only in times of difficulty.  At other times when everything is going on well we do not really feel the need to pray.  That does not mean the power of prayer reduces. It is our perception of prayer and our need for it that increases or diminishes.  

Another aspect of a candle light is that it is selfless.  No amount of lighting other candles from it will diminish the initial brightness of the candle light.  The candlelight does not say that since it has been shared or divided it will shine less brightly now.  Prayers too when shared do not become less efficacious. 

Another essential feature of the candlelight that we often do not see replicated in prayer is the efficacy of it at all times and for all people.  The candlelight is not partial to the good and less bright for the not-so-good.  No matter who, when and for what purpose, the candlelight is always at its best.  Prayer too is for all.  We often remember those close to us and those who are good to us.  We barely pray for those whom we do not like. 

Vocation

Everytime we speak of 'vocation' in our religious circles we most often mean 'vocation to priestly and religious life'.  It is as if vocation to married life or any other form of life is not a vocation.  When this partial outlook is pointed out we cover up saying that even they are vocations, but the former is the crowing of all vocations! 

However, I feel strongly convinced that unless and until we really understanding vocation in its universal and true sense, we will only be 'selling' vocation; doing recruitment rather than discernment.  As educators of the young, we are primarily called to help young people discover, discern and follow their vocation.  And every person's primary vocation is to love and be loved!  The vocational discernment is to help young people ask themselves basic questions about meaning and purpose of his or her life.  As long as we sincerely and passionately engage in this noble apostolate we are true to our own calling as Salesians. Otherwise we are only 'pedlars' or vendors of the Salesian career - all in the name of youth ministry and vocation promotion.  

The post youth synod apostolic exhortation by Pope Francis, Christus vivit no. 286 describes the great vocational question that every young person has to ask himself or herself as "for whom am I?"  This is more deeper and way too personal than merely asking oneself, "what am I to do?" or "who should I become?"

The interconnectedness

The secret language of trees... 

There is nothing wrong with having a tree as a friend.  Ross Bob

Trees have a vast root system that supports not only survival of itself but facilitates a highly complex and intricate communication system between the various trees in the vicinity.  It is not just the trees roots that do all the work, but there is a whole invisible army of fungi, algae, microbes, sugars... that is at work.  Not all of this network and their mutual functioning and aiding is clear or understood by human science.  But the fact remains that there is a whole give-and-take going on underground.  Most of it is mutually benefiting, but not necessarily all of it.  

What's most interesting is that there is information too passed on!!  This sharing of information helps neighbours get ready to cope with factors (drought, insect attack, diseases...) not yet encountered by itself but by another in its vicinity. 

The bottom line of it all is the interconnectedness of nature!!  

The partial God and gender equality

Christianity has always upheld the notion that God does not have favourites. That he loves and cares for everyone equally.  However, the origin and evolution of Christianity proves otherwise.  

Right since the beginning of God's intervention in human history, as per Christian tradition, God has always been on the side of a particular group or nation.  The old testament is a fitting proof that Yahweh always preferred Israel over and above all other nations and people.  He was on their side, against the Egyptians (when in exile), against the Canaanites (on their return), against the Jebusites (on behalf of David)... Yahweh always chose the Israelites.  

Even in the new testament we see this continued privilege of Israel.  Jesus, the son of God is born a Jew.  In Israel.  For that matter, Jesus himself was partial all his life.  He took the side of the poor (against the rich), the religious ignorants (against the religious authorities of his times), the Jews (rather than side with the political rulers of the time, the Romans).  None of his chosen twelve was a non-Jew.  He barely preached outside Israel or to any non-Jews.  Rather his treatment of Syro-pheonecian woman can always be used as an example to prove his preferential option of the Jews, over non-Jews.  

However, there is one thing common among the many preferential choices that God made all along history.  He chose to be on the side of the poor, the underdogs, the marginalised, the weak and the oppressed.  He stood by those who needed support and guidance.  Who by themselves would not have been able to make it.  So that makes me wonder, if his choice of men alone for the chosen twelve or for active apostolate, was an indicator of who was the weaker gender.  Who it is that needed support and accompaniment?  Going by God's preferential choices and the reason for that choice, it certainly looks as if he considered woman as the more stronger and able gender!  If there was someone who needed to be guided and supported it was the man!!  So much for thinking that man is the superior of the two sexes!!  

Young people; not youth

Reality is more important than ideas.  Unless one acknowledges this truth, we will only be living in a dreamland and never be able to make a meaningful impact on life itself.  

The simple fact, especially for us Salesians, is the notion of youth ministry.  However, youth is an abstract notion.  In reality there is no youth.  There are only young people.  And unless and until we interact with those young people, in person, in the concrete situations of our life (and their lives), our youth ministry would be excellent only paper but not in reality.  Our starting point has to be the young people immersed in their context. Starting with the abstract notion of youth will only lead us astray.  

Together with this fundamental truth, it is also equally important that we begin with the premise that we are going to encounter God in the young people, not get them back to God.  We do not have monopoly over God.  He is already present with the young in their situatedness. We only need to be open and available to Him, in and through the young - rather than approach the young as if we are the one's offering God to them! 

Reflecting on the the Youth Synod

Reflecting together with Fr Romano Sala from the UPS in Rome, about the Youth synod and its ripples in the Church and for our own Salesian youth ministry, as part of the study day in the Province, I was inspired by many insights. The most significant of these insights is perhaps the notion of synodality that Fr Sala was emphasising to be the process being pushed for by Pope Francis.  

The youth synod, not only spoke to the youth but also very concretely involved them in the process of the synod - from the beginning to the end!  This method of inviting them on board, this involvement of the youth in discussing matters of faith and vocation in the Church made a huge impact on the mood and mode of the synod itself.  I think it made a deep impact most of all on those participating in the synod.  Going forward, I think this method of involving all the stake holders in all the processes of decision-making, right since the beginning is the key to resolving quite a few issues that plague (or lack of which, hinder growth in) the Church and the congregation -  clericalism, ecumenism, inter-religious dialogue, bureaucracy, transparency and collective responsibility.  

This attitude and concrete method of synodality shifts the predominant mentality of the church and the congregation, from 'doing something' for the young to 'being with' the young.  

Vine and the branches

One interesting thing about the branches of a vine is that they can never of their own accord get detached from the stem.  Neither is it in their nature to seek independence.  They always stay connected to the main stem and draw energy from it.  

The mistake is to treat the branches and the stem as individuated parts.  As if they were different part put together to form the vine.  It is we who call the different aspects of the plant as stem, branches, fruits and leaves.  For the plant itself it is one life.  

So it would be good to ask ourselves this Sunday, as we reflect on the gospel of the vine and the branches if we are looking at our relationship with God as outsiders or as from within that relationship.  If the latter then we are one; if we view our relationship as an outsider then we are different beings brought together and assembled into one.  And if assembled, then we can as well be un-assembled.  

Jesus and the twelve

When the time came for Jesus to begin his public ministry, and he chose the twelve apostles, it is quite strange to see that he chose all strangers!  There is hardly any evidence that the twelve men knew Jesus before Him calling them out.  We only hear some anonymous person exclaiming, "Is he not the son of the carpenter?"  Had any of the twelve known Jesus earlier, I think at least one of them would have made that statement!!  

Nicolas Poussin

But did Jesus know them before hand??  

Jesus never went far or beyond Israel, or for that matter his hometown.  And so, during those 30 years that he spent in the same place, would he not have known most of those men?  He was a carpenter and surely he would have met and interacted with a lot of people of varied backgrounds.  Everyone would have sought the services of a carpenter at some time of their life, for some work.  My guess is that Jesus did have a rough list but not for long, perhaps just about the time he began his ministry.  And Luke records that he spent the night in prayer and when morning came, called out the twelve who were to be called his apostles.  

The reason(s) he chose those twelve and not some others, I guess were privy just to him.  We can only guess and theorize.  But none of those reasons would be applicable to all the twelve!! 

Another strange fact that find is that of the chose twelve none was a carpenter.  Jesus did not select anyone from among those whom knew him!! 

St Joseph the worker

 An excerpt from the Vatican II document on the modern world (no. 34)... 

Where men and women, in the course of gaining a livelihood for themselves and their families, offer appropriate service to society, they can be confident that their personal efforts promote the work of the Creator, confer benefits on their fellowmen, and help to realize God's plan in history.

The childhood of Christ by Gerard van Honthorst

The grumpy prophet

 Among the old testament prophets, Jonah is the one with whom one can relate to most easily.  He is a common man, called upon by Yahweh for a particular purpose.  Initially reluctant and lazy but then relents.  However, the very fact that Yahweh calls him does not 'purify' him of his human inclinations.  He carries with him his basic human qualities right to the end. 

After the episode at sea and having spent three days in the belly of the fish, he decides to go to Nineveh and tell the people there God's message, not out of fear or conviction but more out of guilt.  Once his job is done he expects to see the fulfilment of God's prophecy.  Not seeing God send out his wrath, he feels dishonoured and his work disrespected.  He sulks.  His self-centredness (not selfishness) prevents him from seeing the larger picture unfold.  

In and through the ups and downs of Jonah it is easy to miss one of the central messages of the narration: God changes!  The only difference between God changing his mind and heart and Jonah's change is that the change is brought about for the good of the other.  God relents from sending down his wrath on the people of Nineveh because he sees them repent and take responsibility for their lives.  Jonah fails to see the struggle of Nineveh because his focus energy is all trained on his own work and struggle.  

Listening

 Today's inspiration... 

I guess that is what distinguishes a wise person from a teacher or a learned person... the ability to listen.  Not just hear, but listen with an open mind and a generous heart.  

Of late I've realised my nephew tends to speak longer to me over the phone.  Earlier he barely spoke to me.  But since the time I appreciated and showed some interest in his activities and learning skills he has begun to compete with my niece for 'his time' with me!!  And my niece, not to be outdone, at least for the time spent, goes on and on about stuff I barely can make sense of.  The temptation is to cut her off and end the conversation.  But I know if I do that she is going to interpret it as my disinterestedness in her 'achievements'.  So I listen.  And am happy with that time spent with them, because I know that time is not wasted but invested in a relationship.  Worthy every bit!  

The right question

 Teaching someone is always a learning experience... that has always been my personal and profound experience. Perhaps that is also the reason I love teaching... I learn! 

Helping someone navigate the ocean of the world web, I found myself repeatedly asking them the question, what is it that you are looking for?  Without a clear and definitive answer to the question, I knew no progress would be possible.  And everytime I asked the person that question, I found it echoing back to me!!!  What is it that I'm looking for??  The more I tried to explain the necessity of being definite and clear about the purpose of one's exploration, the more I felt I'm telling myself!  

Scented hyacinth

 Scented hyacinth flowers in full bloom... 

Virtual walk

Two years ago I was happy to have joined the Student Cross Holy week walk from Ely to Walsingham. I didn't have a pair of walking shoes then.  But ordinary pair of shoes I had did not fail me. So after Easter that year, I bought myself a pair of walking shoes, of course, with the intent of using them the following year. Unfortunately there was no walk organised last Lent - thanks to Covid! So I had the shoes but no walk!!  

Well this year, during a meeting with the Catholic Society of the University, just before Ash Wednesday, they spoke of a virtual Camino walk as part of the Lenten practices.  My mind immediately went to the Student Cross that I'd been happy to join.  Well, when a door closes, a window opens!! So why not join this 'virtual' walk??  Will chip in with what I can, whenever I can! But I will! 

 For more details about the walk and the neighbourly intent behind this Camino walk, click here.

Left hand and right hand

Very often when I hear the verse from St Matthew, that we had as part of the Gospel yesterday... 

When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing... 

I'm reminded of Doms, from our Yercaud days!  While he could really play the guitar very well, in the playground his hand and leg coordination was more comical than playful!  His antics during our football game were hilarious! Even then he was always the livewire - the heart and soul of all activity.  

Those good old Retreat (Yercaud) days!!

Giving up for giving

It is one thing to fast when one has plenty to eat and choose from and totally another when one has nothing to eat in the first place!  I think if we are to build up the triadic relationship with God, the other and myself, we need to graduate from merely 'giving up' to 'giving' - with a spiritual intent.  In that way, all three are involved: we are doing it for God, benefitting the neighbour or the needy and helping oneself too in this whole process. 

While 'giving up' has its merits, it is lesser than 'giving' because it ends up with me alone!  Or at the most God and me!  There could be a laissez faire effect wherein the needy benefit but when I decide to share with the other what I've denied myself, then the good reaches the other directly and instantly.  

Christmas humour

 Not the most appropriate liturgical season to think about, but humour is timeless... 

Faith is personal; not private

 Faith is personal, but not private.  It is the intimate relationship that we have with God but not something exclusive.  That relationship includes the other as well.  If it does not then it is private!! 

The gospel of the day, from St Matthew (6: 1-6, 16-18) wherein Jesus tells his disciples about praying and fasting in secret, rather than making a big show of it, tells us precisely of this triadic relationship we Christians are called to live. 

This passage can be interpreted as a private relationship with the Father... 

But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

But God does not want us to be so exclusively bound to him that we do not care or bother about those around us. We pray in secret, but not for ourselves!! My relationship with the Father flows out through me into the world.  It does not end begin and end with God and myself!! 

The OT floods then and the ecological crisis today

The story of Noah and the flood is an interesting insight into the mind of God and the early historians who wrote that part of the Bible.  There is God frustrated with the evil of man.  He is driven to such a point as to do a complete 'formatting' of his creation.  

What is interesting is that due to the evil of the human beings, even the rest of creation is wiped out!  The animals, and birds, and reptiles did no wrong.  They did not sin.  It was basically the humans who fell out with God and his initial plans.  So why destroy them? The humans deserved punishment and only they should have been eliminated.  

I think there is a parallel for this in the new testament when Jesus speaks of the parable of the wheat and the darnel.  The farmer realising that uprooting the weed would actually harm the wheat, lets them all grown and at harvest, everything is cut up.  There is no selective elimination.  God even if he wanted couldn't have wiped out the human race alone, without in some way affecting the rest of creation. 

The present ecological crisis of climate change that we are coming to terms with offers another perspective of the OT narrative. Perhaps it is not God who risked the lives of all the other creatures.  Perhaps it was actually the greed and sin of human beings that caused the extinction of the rest of creation.  God only tried to salvage what could be.  For one who created the world, from nothing in the first instance, it would not have been a great challenge to do it again.  But in spite of what humanity did to the rest of creation, God was keen to preserve as much as possible - two or seven pairs of creatures, not just one like that of the humankind! God didn't destroy the rest of creation - human beings had already done it by that point! 

What's language for?

 What's the ultimate purpose or need of language for us human beings? 

The most common answer I guess would be communication.  But the ultimate need?  I am slowly come to the conviction, it is for meaning.  Our basic search for meaning is what propels our tryst with language.  It is not communicating meaning, but seeking meaning.  

Meandering

Our journey in and through language is not merely consistently adopting the Constitutive or the designative approach, it is actually weaving in and out of each that makes us human. Not a fixated stagnant deepening but wild meandering through all of it. 

Belonging to God - a grace, not a reward

 I found the 'Collect' of this morning's commemorative Mass of St Bakitha very disturbing and in fact quite wrong!  The opening lines of the prayer read: 

O God, who led Saint Josephine Bakhita from abject slavery to the dignity of being your daughter and a bride of Christ, grant we pray, that by her example, we may.... 

It sounds as if she had to get out of slavery to become a child of God!!  That's atrocious!  No state of our life or circumstances in our living, and most certainly not of our own making, can prevent us from being a child of God.  At times our own choices and decisions strain our relationship with God but never does one have to become something in life in order to then become a child of God.  Being a child of God is not a reward, it is a grace - freely given and part of our nature.  

Pandemic Passover Mass

In the old testament there is the description of the Passover meal and the way the Israelites were told by the angel to eat the passover meal... 

This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover (Exodus 12:11).

Well Mass today was very close to this pattern: 

With a mask on the face, shoes on the feet and with no pause in between any sections; no homily, no sign of peace or any mention of the feast either.  Finish in haste and make a dash for the door.  It is the Pandemic Mass.

For when and what?

The pandemic and the resulting lockdowns have brought forth the otherwise hidden selves of our personalities in community life.  While acknowledging that this situation is not something one ever planned or prepared for, it offers us a glimpse into ourselves... as to what exactly are we made up of. 

Most confreres I know have been daring in reaching out to those in need.  Some even being reckless.  But most have been genuinely concerned more about others, especially those struggling and seeking ways of reaching out to them in whatever manner possible.  Some however, have retreated into a cocoon.  

As for me, as religious, this is the opportunity to be at the forefront and assist.  Certainly not a moment to retreat and hide. Most certainly to offer spiritual and pastoral care to those who need it, in being inventive in that.  But also being outgoing in other ways - joining hands with others who are already out there helping others, without having made any public profession vows or specially anointed.  If at this time of need we don't venture out and be of assistance, then when?  For what are we preserving our health for?  And why?  What am I afraid of?  And most importantly, whom is it that I really love?

Remembering those gone before us

On the first of every February we Salesians remember the deceased members of our Salesian family.  I always felt there couldn't have been a better day to do this than immediately after the feast of Don Bosco.  Of course, we remember those gone before us on their anniversary or birthday and again collectively during our annual retreats, but this commemoration has always been special for me.  It is a nice way of saying 'Thank you' to all those who professed and committed themselves to God and the young and poured out themselves in their own unique Salesian ways in God's Kingdom.  

A collage of the souvenirs of deceased Salesians and Sisters
of this GBR Salesian Province

Among those whom I know and heard, I am grateful for all those with whom I had the good fortune of living and working with.  Specially remember those I've been greatly inspired by ... Fr John Lens and Fr Ronald Menezes, among the many others!

Understanding: person and/or issue?

A hungry homeless man approaches a well-dressed gentleman on the road and asks for alms or something to eat.  The gentleman with great concerns asks the other person why is he begging when he could earn something in a dignified manner.  The other person then narrates to him his sad state of affairs and unfortunate turn of events.  Given the pandemic and its domino effect, the gentleman does not need further proofs to understand the genuineness of this poor guy.  After listening to him and his sad state of affairs, the gentleman spends a few moments in silent reflection and then with great concern and passion lays bare the root causes of the plight of the poor man.  And after a really acute analysis of the situation, he assures the poor man that he will do something about the root causes and goes on his way.  Perhaps he does initiate procedures and policies that address the issue of hunger and homelessness. 

In another instance, the same hungry homeless man approaches a woman with the same request: alms or some food.  The woman listens to his story and then understanding the case to be genuine, buys him the same lunch that she ordered for herself.  She even recommends him to a particular location where homeless people are offered free shelter for a limited period.  And she goes on her way.  She does not really get into the long term issues of hunger and homelessness.  

The gentleman in the first instance understood the issue;  and sought to address it.  He did not feel the need to understand the person.  The lady in the second instance understood the person and did not bother about the underlying issue.  

Most of us would root for the lady rather than the gentleman.  That's typically a Christian virtue.  But even the gentleman's approach is also needed.  Our christian virtue somehow 'prevents us' from aiming big, addressing the basic issues.  (That's my take on the unfinished parable of the Good Samaritan).  

However, my interest here was the notion of understanding:  What matters most, understanding the person or the issue?  Why does understanding the person somehow feel 'better' than understanding the issue?  After all, there was constructive action in both instances.  If the lady used her heart to understand the poor guy, can we still call it understanding?  Is it not compassion?  Is not understanding related to the head, concepts, ideas, knowing?  

Language and the human race

 If someone were to walk upto me and speak in a language I know not, about snow I would not understand anything of what he or she just said.  After this if I'm asked for a judgement or opinion about this person's knowledge of snow, it would be unfair for me to state that the person does not know anything about snow.  the fact that I did not understand the other does not mean that the other doesn't know.  Similarly it would be unfair to judge me as ignorant, because I do know something about snow but not how the other person spoke about it or what he or she said about it.  I'm yet to know that language.  

So me alone or another person alone does not become the sole criterion of judgement about the rightness or wrongness of a language - or even knowledge.  Language is a community adventure.  And by community, I mean the world community!  Anything less than the whole human race expressing its opinion or judgement is partial.  

An eternal outsider (or am I?)

 Thinking about one's belonging (or not belonging) to a particular group or society, it occurred to me that no matter what I do, I'll always be perceived as an 'outsider' by those of my Province.  It is not an accusation I'm levelling against my confreres or in anyway stating that I've been discriminated on this basis, but merely stating a fact.  

The fact that I was born of parents who are not from Andhra (or Telangana), that my mother-tongue is not Telugu, that I do not fit into the existing classification of the caste system, that my name does not in anyway match with the local culture... all of this distinguishes me from those born and brought up in Telugu families within a typical Telugu culture.  Even though I was born and brought up in Hyderabad, the lack of the other factors mentioned above will always distinguish my identity.  (I remember someone ending a heated conversation/debate with me about caste system, citing my origins and stating "You'll never understand!")

Even if I were to change my province and join the Mumbai Province (which includes the geographical location of Mangalore), I'd still be an outsider!!  The fact that I was not born and raised in Mangalore, that I did my schooling outside the 'region' and the fact that I spent most of my life in and around Andhra Pradesh will prevent me from being considered a thoroughbred local in that Province - for that matter, in any other Province.  

This is true of wherever I go.  I cannot undo my past - including my parents, my birth, my mother-tongue, my early years of schooling and higher education.  On that account I'll always be an outsider, anywhere and everywhere I go.  

However, this very fact of not being a 'thoroughbred local' also provides me with the opportunity to actually belong to everyone and anyone!  My hybridized past facilitates me being part of any Province, region or place - all people!!  In fact, through my sense and expression of belonging, I stand as a signpost or challenge everytime I bond with others, over and above the defining factors of language, caste, affiliation and culture.  If only each of us lives by human values (transcending the limited cultural definitions) especially in time of need, we'd be setting a higher benchmark for future generations of what it means to belong!  Furthermore immaterial of what and how others perceive me and my 'belonging' if I am at home, then I'm home!!  

Feels like home

 Came across this particular song sometime ago... Remember distinctly hearing it for the first time when I watched the movie 'My sister's keeper'.  For me this song is really intertwined with that movie and its storyline.  The lyrics though do not always match with the theme of that movie but the chorus and the melody is a perfect match! 

Snow in Chertsey

 Snow!! 

The little Buddha in the garden with a mop of 'white hair' and an extra quilt!!

As we came out of Church after the morning Mass we were surprised to see it snowing!  In a couple of hours there was a thick layer of snow all over!  From my room I could hear the squeals of children in the neighbours house and in the park across the road.  

I called home and showed Anet and Chris the snowfall.  Anet was thrilled.  She asked for Elsa and Anna - for she was sure only Elsa has the power to bring about snow and to take it away.  She wouldn't believe that it was me bringing down all the snow.  She said, I didn't have that power!  

Jesus' team today

 If Jesus were to walk on this earth today and were to pick and choose his team of apostles from those living here and now, whom would he choose?  

I guess his criteria would be the same: common folk from everyday life... construction workers, teachers, journalists, nhs staff, delivery guys, social media users and so on. 

Surely there would be non-Christians as well.  Women, most certainly.  Members of the LGBT+ group. Among these would already be someone who has been or is a migrant or with a criminal record.  A politician, maybe (if not for any good reason, at least to replicate Judas!).  

Am sure that his choice would startle and shock quite a few Christians of today.  Even if he did choose any christians, he'd have to bear listening to them as to whom he should choose and why!  Given our fickle and narrow minds, Jesus' choice rather than open our minds to His Word and mindset, would lead us to question the authenticity and 'christian values' of Jesus himself!  

Wonder if he'd need the same number (12)?  Given the fact that women can bear witness more convincingly than men, and that there is the presence and use of social media... these would certainly cut down the work force needed.  But one never knows.  

All said and done, I don't think what one does and is capable of is of little value to Jesus here.  What matters is one's openness to the Kingdom.  

Humanity, a reality we share-in

Humanity is a reality we being humans share-in, rather than contribute-towards.  

When speaking of in terms of contributing-towards, the drawback is that if one does not contribute towards it the total is less by that single contribution.  The deficiency in humanity is due to those not contributing towards its total pool.  As such what is diminished is the overall humanity - not the individual self who did not contribute towards it.  On the other hand, when speaking of in terms of 'share-in' when one does not share-in the existing realm of humanity what is impoverished is not the reality of humanity itself but the individual who desists sharing-in.  

However, two misconceptions that can arise when we speak of 'share-in': that humanity pre-dates us  and that it is something that exists by itself (pre-existing and independent of ourselves).  Transcendent?  The reality is exactly opposite - humanity does not transcend human borders. It is only within the realm of human beings that one can speak of humanity.  It is true that one can speak of humanity being inspired by the divine or humanity reaching out to the animals, but these are aspects where humanity is relating to rather than 'leaving' the boundary of us human beings.  The sum total of humanity - a very bad way of putting it - evaporates into thin air without us, human beings.  

Another aspect: sharing-in incorporates contributing-towards.  The other way need not always be possible or effective.  The fact that I share-in something will naturally lead me to contribute-towards it - in and through innovative ways.  The fact that I contribute-towards need not always mean I fully and whole-heartedly associate with it or see that which I contribute towards as integral to my identity.  Eg.: volunteering vs random acts of charity.  

Now as to why this thought kept plaguing me this morning:  Can I speak of language too in this manner?

If I were not...

Sometime ago I used to wonder what would I be doing if I were not a Salesian (a religious) living here in the UK at this time of the pandemic??  

I could have been teaching.  But right now am not!  So what exactly would I have got involved in?  More pertinently what would I have been doing for a living?  

Initially it was a bit frightening to guess what profession I'd be in.  However, I was soon at peace because I didn't have any big aspirations or needs.  Thanks to my rather modest upbringing and my Salesian religious life, I've grown up to be most happy with the least of facilities and luxuries.  Added to that I do not have a family to support so it's just me that I need to take care of - financially, I mean.  So I'd be more than happy to do some part time teaching (either in a school or preferably at some institute of higher learning) and then rest of the time relax doing some driving (and earning as well!!).  I've not really calculated the exact amount I'd need to live by, but from my little experience, I don't think I'll be too distraught about my economic situation!!  

Hope

After long, heard something this morning about the Salesian coat of arms.  The first time I heard of it was in the novitiate, with Fr Samala explaining to us the different elements and their significance.  However, did not bother about it anytime later.  But I do remember writing something about it years ago, perhaps when I was the secretary and helping out with the communication department.  Anyway it was good to revise something of it today: that the anchor on the Salesian coat of arms signifies hope.  

Here's what each component signifies: 

The shining star, the large anchor, and the heart on fire symbolize the theological virtues; the figure of St. Francis de Sales recalls the patron of the Society; the small woods in the lower part reminds us of the Founder; the high mountains signify the heights of perfection toward which members strive; the interwoven palm and laurel that enfold the shield on either side are emblematic of the prize reserved for a virtuous and sacrificial life. The motto Da mihi animas, caetera tolle (Give me souls, take away everything else) expresses every Salesian’s ideal.

The Salesian coat of arms appeared for the first time in a circular letter of Don Bosco on December 8, 1885.

Luckily it has been kept simple and clear.  No one (yet) has had the bright thought to modify it.  Am sure someone sometime will come up with a different, more modern representation.  But for now, this will do! 

Indian mums

 (From The Times UK edition, Monday 18 January 2021 p. 24... by Sathnam Sanghera) 

INDIAN MUMS COULD DO ALL THE VACCINES BY NEXT WEEK 

It has become something of a sport to come up with ideas for who would be more efficient than our flailing government at getting vaccines into arms. 

My colleague Matt Chorley has suggested Pizza Express staff on the grounds that "they know how to deliver the same thing again and again and again. No variation. No mistakes." Other have variously suggested notoriously determined Amazon drivers, famously resourceful theatre stage managers, habitually speedy Aldi checkout staff and the apparently terrifying individuals who run ballet exams.  

My vote, however, goes for Indian mothers. If we tackled vaccinations with the singlemindedness with which my mum raised four children, looked after my sick father and worked at the same time, the task would be done by next week. Moreover, any leftover vaccine would be swiftly packed into Tupperware and distributed around the planet.  Covid deniers would be dismissed with a tight slap, and no one would be allowed to leave without partaking of a nice snack.  

Indeed, it strikes me that Indian mums would also be pretty great at managing other aspects of the war against Covid. After all, they are experts in contact tracing (given their supernatural ability to tell if you're dating someone unsuitable), in the prevention of panic buying (if you bulk buy every time you shop, you never fret about running out) and lockdowns (with a famous history of preventing their offspring from doing anything that might risk disgrace). Sign them up! 

Serving at Mass

 Altar servers are the ones to watch out for, during the Holy Mass if one wants some holy distraction!! 

Numerous are the tales of those fortunate who get to witness the antics and blunders of those serving at Mass.  As it mostly happens, these servers are mostly children and that compounds the rate of such occurrences by a thousand! 

Remembered this morning of Bastin Thomas at Divyaddan, Nashik when he offered to Fr Vincent Vaz during the offertory, the spoon with no water in it.  Having tried to drop the water drop into the chalice and finding none Fr Vincent returned the spoon to Bastin.  This time Bastin dipped the spoon deeper into the cruet and handed it back to Fr Vincent.  Again nothing. Only then did Bastin look into the cruet  - there was absolutely no water in the cruet.  The sacristan had forgotten to pour water into it!! 

Then there was a companion of Fr Sean (way back in the late 40s at Palliskenry) serving at Mass, at the end of the offertory for the washing of the hands poured wine - instead of water - on the priests hands!! 

Gripped

 The word 'fear' is grasped and understood when one learns the meaning of it from the books or is explained by someone.  The spelling learnt, the vocabulary grasped and the dictionary definition understood.  However, when one actually feels it, say having met with an accident or living through a grave illness, then the word 'fear' gains more than what was learnt.  

In the earlier instance, we grasp 'fear'; in the latter, fear grasps me!  Earlier the self grasps the notion of fear, while in the latter self is gripped by fear! (Designative vs the constitutive)

Justice and politics

Fighting for justice by breaking the law, one can still be truly just and noble. 

Standing against what is noble and good, by keeping all the laws, that's politics!