Religion and humanity

 From a letter to the editor (The Hindu, 8 August 2000)

I know a Christian gentleman who lived in this little town,' who used to care for the poor people who came to him.  Among the poor people who used to go to him was an old man in his 70s whose eyes were bad.  The Christian gentleman got him a pair of spectacles.  As years went by the old man became practically blind. "One day he came to this gentleman and asked him if he would receive him into the Christian faith.  The gentleman asked him, "Why do you want to change your religion? You could as well remain a Hindu."  The answer the old man gave was a gem.  "You know every day I meet a lot of people as I beg through the streets around.  People of all religions.  People who worship God in their different ways. But I have a feeling that your way must be the best one, because every time I come to your door, I feel I am a human being."

The smart sheep

There is the NT passage where the call is to have one shepherd and one flock (John 10).  We read that prior to our discussion about the GC 29.  

Jesus is talking about bringing the sheep into one fold. That there are some sheep who are already with him; that there are others which are not yet in his fold, but will eventually find their way to him... 

The fact that struck me was that the purpose of the sheep or the mission of the sheep is known and envisioned, not by the sheep, but by the shepherd!! What each sheep is meant for, what is to be achieved by the whole flock or some sheep, why the sheep need to do what they are told to do... all of this is the plan of the shepherd.  From deciding where to graze and when to sheer the wool, to which sheep to cull for the feast and when to vaccinate, it is all by the shepherd. 

So, what then are the sheep? Dumb sheep? Have they nothing to contribute to their own life and growth?  Far from being dumb, they are called to be smart; smart enough to know the shepherd!  And when they know him well enough, to be so attached to him that they let him decide what's best for them; because they know that he wants nothing but the best for them.  

This understanding is what makes Jesus, the good shepherd!  And us, the smart sheep! 

A Pope in a Poncho: The Gospel of Fragility

by Johnson Kotaram 

It was not the papal cassock, the golden cross, or the solemn gaze from a palace balcony that marked April 10, 2025.

Instead, it was a fragile old man in a striped poncho, worn black trousers, and oxygen tubing, rolling quietly through the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica.

No proclamation, no camera crews, no ceremonial fanfare. Just a tired pilgrim in the skin of a pope, moving slowly toward the restored chair of Peter and the tomb of Saint Pius X.

To some, it was a scandal. To others, a shock. And to a few—perhaps not many—it was a moment of profound, unscripted holiness.

Because it was not the Vicar of Christ clothed in tradition but something far rarer: a leader without costume, a priest without performance, a man who dared to embody the Gospel in raw, human skin.

In an institution where clothing is language—the cassock, the skullcap, the ring—all speak of office, succession, and sacred continuity—Francis chose a language older than vestments: the language of presence.

In his beige Argentine poncho, he wasn't signalling authority; he was invoking memory—of his homeland, of the poor, of the Jesus who walked dusty roads with no sceptre, throne, or robe worth envying.

Some saw an older man too frail to dress appropriately. Others saw disrespect for ritual. But to those attuned to the undercurrent, it was something else entirely: a gesture of undoing, the kind that refuses to uphold a performance when the soul is calling for honesty.

He didn’t come to be venerated that day. He came to be.

And in doing so, he reminded the Church—perhaps unintentionally—that the robes, collar, rituals, and relics are only bridges. They are not the water beneath.

When we strip away the grandeur, what remains is a question the Church must confront more often: What happens when the sacred no longer looks impressive? When authority arrives in a wheelchair, with sunken eyes and no cross on its chest?

Whether deliberately or by accident, Francis exposed the quiet truth: the real scandal is not the poncho, but how much we’ve come to rely on appearances to sustain our reverence.

We want our popes upright, glowing, and draped in theology. We don’t want them too human, too frail, too much like us.

But isn’t that precisely the paradox at the heart of Christianity?

Today, when Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a colt, his official representative on earth is wheelchaired into the most ornate church on earth, dressed in an Argentinian poncho reminded us that fragility is not the opposite of faith—it may be its most honest form.

That perhaps, in a moment like this, the Church caught a glimpse of what Jesus meant when he knelt to wash feet instead of issuing commands.

This was not the Pope as prince or priest. This was the Pope as a person, as a pilgrim, as a reminder that grace may arrive not dressed in white but in weakness.

And maybe, just maybe, that is the Church we need to become.

Maundy Thursday mandate

The Maundy Thursday derives its name from the Latin word mandatum, meaning the same as in English today... a mandate, a command, an order.  

And that mandate is simple and direct: To serve, with love.  

Most preachers and thinkers split hairs to explain the significance of the day.  Some state (as prescribed by the Church teaching) that there are three significant events of the day: the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the Priesthood and the washing of the feet.  Unfortunately, that is what they have each become: institutions!! 

Personally I believe, the focus and directive is clear: Serve everyone, with much love.  And this is not a new commandment or directive the Lord is offering us on Maundy Thursday.  This is what he spoke and did all his life!!  This was actually his mission. While the ultimate MISSION was to make known God's love, this love was explicated and made tangible in service. So the MISSION is to love; and the mission is to serve. But there is no duplicity or multiplication here.  They are one and the same!  That's the mandate: To serve, with love! 

Most of us, especially religious, including myself, tend to do the first part of this mission; but very often and mostly do not strive for the actual mission or the greater purpose of this mission, namely to love.  We serve, but fail to love sufficiently! 

Therefore it is important to see everything and all things from this perspective. That love is the ultimate mission of every Christian, especially of a religious.  Once that decision to genuinely love is made, service automatically follows.  Unfortunately, love cannot be taught. It is caught; it is felt; it is experienced!  

Palm Sunday events and the involvement

In the Christian historical tradition of the Palm Sunday, there are several characters that play very different roles.  Most of those actively involved had no clue of the ramifications of the events unfolding before them.  

There was the crowd following Jesus through the streets of Jerusalem chanting his praises, the Roman soldiers and leaders, the Pharisees and Jewish leaders... for them it was just another day, in a long list of days. Nothing special, nothing great. Just another day, another event, another story.  Nothing special to write home about. 

Then there was Peter, and to an extent Judas as well.  Both of them knew that there is something special unfolding.  That their little brains were too big to get around. But there was something indeed happening. Perhaps it was more a gut level feeling than a rationalised conclusion.  For Peter the import of the events hits him when the cock crows and Jesus' words come back to haunt him. 

Then there were the apostles.  Most of them were clueless about anything that was happening around them.  Even at the death of Jesus, they didn't understand what exactly was happening.  They really 'woke up' perhaps at the Pentecost. 

And then there was Jesus.  And God, the Father himself, watching all of this.  Knowing perfectly well, where all this was leading to.  Yet, no sign of rushing towards it or away from it. A serene surrender to the unfolding of events, fully aware of what its impact is going to be. 

Grace before repentance

In our regular understanding and expression we most often think that repentance comes first and God's forgiveness follows.  It is as if God is responding to us.  

But I personally believe it is God who makes the first move. It is his Grace that moves us.  

In the Gospel of today we hear the incident of the prodigal son.  The son is repentant, after having lost all his possessions, and then thinks of his father.  His decision to get back to his father is not primarily because of his guilt; what precedes and supersedes that guilt is the trust that his father will take him back. Perhaps not as his son, in his earlier status, but at least as one of his hired servants... nonetheless, the son knew for certain that his father would accept him back!  

That benevolence of the father is the bedrock of our hope, our trust, our repentance. It is that same benevolence of the Father that draws us to approach the sacrament of reconciliation. Our repentance is in response to that benevolent grace; not the other way around. 

Song of faith

 An interesting story that I came across today: 

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 tied 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 who allow themselves to 'influenced and altered' by the ways of the world! We may end up losing the 'song of our Faith!'

Christian witnessing

It is not what people eat, but what they digest that makes them strong; 

It is not what we earn, but what we save that makes us rich; 

It is not what we read, but what we remember that makes us learned;

And finally, it is not just what we preach, but what we practice that makes us Christians!

Hypatia and Christian militantism

 It is easy to grow blind to one's own mistakes or faults.  The same can very specially be true of one's own belief, religion, family or group.  Once we realise this drawback, one ought to beware of it consciously and repeatedly check ourselves, to be open to criticism and feedback.  

One such historical blunder that Christianity made in its early history was the 'murder' of Hypatia.  The following video clearly spells out the incidents that led to the death of this scholarly woman and eventually the decline of philosophical thinking in Greece.  In a way, if Christianity replaced the 'crude' paganism of the Roman era, it also did away with other good things... not all of which can be classified under 'collateral damage'. 

Of course, to now blame Christianity for this, in the twenty-first century, would not be any wiser.  But important lessons from history should always be learnt.  

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!  

Papal trivia

Gregory the great, whose feast we commemorate today, was the first monk to be elected Pope! And I think it would not be too far off the mark to say that it was Gregory who actually cemented the role of the Pope as a ruler, an administrator in the early years of Christianity.  Not that he intended it to be - certainly his priority was the spiritual growth and consolidation of the Church.  That is evident from his numerous letters and writings.  But his ability to foresee events and plan as per was something that went hand in hand with this catechetical skill. 

Moreover it is to him that it can be attributed the narrowing down of the election to the papacy (and roles of ecclesial hierarchy) from among the priestly and religious - again, no fault or plan of his!! 

Things are not to be loved for the sake of a place, but places are to be loved for the sake of their good things. 

When Augustine asked whether to use Roman or Gallican customs in the mass in England, Gregory said, in paraphrase, that it was not the place that imparted goodness but good things that graced the place, and it was more important to be pleasing to the Almighty.

Unchristian catholic

Sometimes one wonders how come some have such a range of convictions, one contradicting another so fully and clearly, yet comfortable with them all and proudly claiming to be loyalists to one side. 

Simple example (from a recent news article, with no prejudice against the person): 

...has positioned herself as a strong supporter of Mr Trump and is pro-gun, pro-border wall and anti-abortion.

This is the profile of an American politician holding opposite ends of the ethical spectrum and still claiming to be a Christian.  So on the one hand she is against abortion - that's a typical christian stand.  At the same time she upholds the border wall, something that divides and dehumanizes another human being (not to mention oneself)!  And as if that is not enough encourages the gun culture.  How can one who upholds life at one stage or form (that of babies) be against the same life at another point in age (youngsters or adults)?  And to top it all, there's 'Mr Trump' in the same sentence! 

This sort of comfortable cognitive dissonance is not something entirely new or shocking.  I've come across people of this kind, and they just don't see the polarity!! Just not!! But what is shocking is that there are more and more such people becoming leaders and policy makers! Now that's something catastrophic. 

My faith as a Catholic is just as plain and direct as being a good human.  If I can't be a good human, then I can never claim to be a Catholic either - and the vice-versa too! 

Generous sharing

One the foremost community characteristics of the early Christian community was the sharing aspect of its individual members.  They really took care of those in need.  Those with plenty or enough to spare did not mind putting their excess at the disposal of the elders to be given away to those who really haven't much or anything at all. 

This generosity does not necessarily and merely stem from a sense of pity or abundance.  At the root of this generous sharing is the sense of unity, of oneness and equality.  Those with plenty did not feel bad about giving away something and those with little did not hesitate to come forward and appeal for help.  Everyone, rich and poor, haves and have-nots felt at home with one another.  That being at home with one another was the Church! 

Moreover it was basically this community dimension that appealed most to the believers of other faiths.  The joy and serenity that they noticed among the Christians made them wonder what is it that they had going on among them.  How is it that this group of people could feel happy about giving away - generously - what was legally and rightfully theirs?  Why was there this feeling of 'being-at-home'? 

If it was this community sharing and concern that brought the people together, it was the Gospel message that strengthened the bond and deepened it, complementing charity with divinity. 

Love, God and others, as the essence

Post-resurrection there is a great interest in what the apostles have to say about the Christ.  People who had heard vague stories about Jesus, now hear directly from the apostles and are convinced of what they hear.  And so the obvious question: "What should we now do?"

Peter's reply, "Be baptised.  Repent for your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." How did he and the early Christians zero in on this baptism?  That Peter was calling for repentance is understandable, since he attributed the death of Jesus to the Jews.  And therefore, the prescription for atonement for this sin, appears logical. Whatever way the Holy Spirit inspired them, the sorrow of Jesus' death and his absence would surely be part of their present state of mind. 

Am wondering what if Peter had responded to that zealous question of the Jews with a reply of this sort: "Love God and one another as Jesus taught and showed us!"  First things first!  Baptism initiates one into the Christian faith, but is not the cornerstone of Jesus' life and teaching.  If only we had really emphasised the essence of Jesus' message (love) from the beginning, we would have had less of rites and rituals and focussed more on our existing expression of love.  This is not to say that Christianity has not really trodden the path of love all these centuries.  It certainly and very visibly has.  Only that at times we have let the rubrics define what Christianity is rather than a genuine love - and this is mostly the fault of us, priests and religious!  

Foot-washing as part of the Eucharist

The greatest and most surprising discovery/learning of this Holy Week reading was the fact that St John's gospel does not explicitly mention the institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper.  The last passover meal of Jesus is spoken of, but not the bread-wine part.  What is mentioned is the foot-washing act.  

This comes to me as a surprise, because the Johannine gospel was used as the cornerstone for our  teaching on the Holy Eucharist during Theology.  (But I don't remember anything else of that course!).  Nonetheless perhaps John stresses the feeding of the 5000 (the only miracle common in all the four gospels) - maybe. 

However, I'd like to think of John stressing the foot-washing as a form of the Eucharist, for the one line appearing in all the four gospels with regard to the Last supper is "Do this in my memory!" Our Christian tradition has restricted the Holy communion only to the baptised, but the foot-washing is certainly the 'catholic' (of the whole world) dimension of our faith!  

Wish we really learn better to see the deep interconnectedness of these two integral elements of the Mass and live it out more practically in our lives outside the 'hour-long Mass'.  

Christian living

Witness to the Gospel with your life: by word and action, by love, by faith and by integrity.
1 Timothy 4: 12

Sums up Christian and even religious calling.  Was struck by the wording, as I never came across this version of the text.  Neither is this text some canonically approved edition.  Nonetheless, is a beautiful action plan. 

Widening the divide with capitals!

A further reflection on the theme of intolerance and Christian unity, in the context of language - a topic that I'm brooding over! 

Disunity is brought about, in most cases, when an idea is held to be of greater importance than a human being. All cases of religious fundamentalism arise when the concept of religion takes precedence over humanity; when faith becomes greater than human life; when god - and I mean, the concept of God - needs to be protected, but not my neighbour. 

One easy way we fall into this trap of elevating a concept to a status higher than a living being, reducing the latter to such a minimal value so as to count for nothing, is when we capitalise a word!  When faith becomes Faith.  When god becomes God.  When church becomes Church.  These are tell-tale signs of where and what we feel are un-negotiable aspects of our living, at the altar of which everything else (not belonging to me), especially others, can be sacrificed.  Furthermore, with words like 'infidel', 'atheist', 'unbeliever', 'pro-abortionist', 'LGBTQ+', ... we can easily reduce persons, living beings with flesh and blood, families and feelings into despicable things that in their entirety ought to be made to disappear! 

That reminds me of a very stinging remark one of my former Rector's made on a report I put together after my supervision of a batch of third year students involved in the 'Immersion programme'.  Back then it struck me, as 'what's the big deal?' Why make a hue and cry about a regular use?  The phrase I used in the report was a description of a place: '...a place infested with naxalites...'  And the Rector had circled this phrase and written on the margins, "Even naxalites are people, not insects!" Looking back I clearly see.  I did not mind using the word 'infested' in the context of the naxalites, but I would never have used it in the context of seminarians or even a packed railway station!  My prejudices were laid bare.  

Christian unity and intolerance

One of the biggest scandal the Church offers to the world is that of the divisions within.  For a body which has unity as one of its primary tenets, to be so splintered, the value of witness is certainly diminished.  Add to that, the fact that some of these splinter groups are archenemies of one another.  And still we claim to be Christians! 

The saint we commemorate today, St Josaphat was martyred not by anti-Christians, but 'faithful' followers of Christ!  It is indeed a strange paradox we comfortably live with: boldly preach in Christ's name and at the same time have no hesitation in killing someone - all in His name.  If only we take a moment to think, leave alone pray, we should be able to see our own religious idiosyncrasies.  But I guess, the very faith we profess often blinds us to see anything beyond that what we hold most precious. 

So good to ask myself, what is it that I hold in such high esteem that I would not sacrifice it for anything else?  And as a Christian, I ask myself: Is it my love for Christ or love for Christ? 

To be Christians/Saints

What does it take to be Christians?  What qualifies one to be a Christian...

Being poor, concerned, seeking after justice and peace, merciful, pure of heart, those willing to suffer for a just cause.  That's it!  For anyone looking for a roadmap to sanctity, the Beatitudes offer one summarized edition! These very virtues that bring us closer to God are also the very ones that help us become aware of our humanity. 

... and we're all called to be Saints!