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!