Psalm 16

Psalm 16

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. 

I say to the lord: 'You are my God.

My happiness lies in you alone.'

He has put into my heart a marvellous love

for the faithful ones who dwell in his land. 

Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows.

Never will I offer their offerings of blood.

Never will I take their name upon my lips. 

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;

it is you yourself who are my prize.

The lot marked out for me is my delight:

welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, 

who even at night directs my heart.

I keep the Lord ever in my sight:

since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm. 

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;

even my body shall rest in safety. 

For you will not leave my soul among the dead,

nor let your beloved know decay. 

You will show me the path of life, 

the fullness of joy in your presence, 

at your right hand happiness for ever. 

Natural to help

Are we human beings, by nature, selfish or altruistic?  Naturally do we tend towards being individualistic or communitarian?  Philosophy and sociology offer enough reasons, theories and arguments for both sides. 

In my opinion, one of the basic deciding factors in answering that question lies in answering the preliminary question: What is the purpose of human life?  If we begin by answering that question, that sets the tenor and direction of the answer to the initial question.  No doubt, we have both these tendencies: towards good and evil.  But we, by our very nature, are essentially good and therefore tend towards wellbeing of all, rather than be consistent on a purely egoistic track.  And my answer to the main question, about the purpose of human life, is 'to be happy'.  And for me happiness is more than mere joy or cheerfulness - they are only offshoots of the former.  It is a basically a deep sense of contentment and serenity.  A sort of balance and equanimity that one feels, even if one is plagued by a hundred challenges and failures.  And this cannot be achieved in isolation.  In line with this, I agree with Pope Francis' words:

Rivers do not drink their own water; the trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine to itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves.  Living for others is a rule of nature.  We are all born to help each other.  No matter how difficult it is... Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.

Busily happy

A man returned to his native village after several years. Years ago when he left the village to seek brighter prospects he was sure nothing much could be achieved staying in the village. Chatting with his childhood friends who stayed on and settled down in the village itself, he was glad to see them all after long. As he listened to all that they did he finally stated, “So you really have kept yourselves busy.” One of them responded, “Busy or not, we are not sure, but happy indeed!” “What's the big difference,” he asked, “between being busy and being happy?” Another of his friends responded, “If one earns more than what he needs he is busy. And if one earns what he needs, he is happy!”

Remembering Sr Modesta

I can't but think of Sr Modesta today.  Not that I'm mourning her death... I'm actually happy that I've had the chance to meet and know her. 

She was not a very gifted person, from what I know.  She had no special skills or talents, leave alone a world-class education or academic qualification.  I'm sure, she never held any 'privileged posts' during her lifetime.  Am quite sure she never even made it to being appointed 'principal' to any rural school.  I know for sure that she taught hindi in schools, but that's it.  Nothing more.  Yet, she endeared herself to so many people... to me.  What she lacked for in terms of academic excellence or intellectual calibre, she made up (more than merely balancing) through her personal relational skills.  She was a 'other-centred' person.  Her heart and mind sought out what others felt and needed, much more than what she needed for herself.  She was contended with herself, no matter how little she possessed or the lack of titles she was bestowed with.  What she was blessed with, she made the most.  She was happy and that happiness she gladly and generously shared with others. 

Life is better because you are happy; but life is best when others are happy because of you.

The following quote, perfectly sums up her life:

Poverty and happiness

I watched the hindi movie 'Hindi Medium' today.  Am quite impressed.  A very unlikely situation, but a very realistic one.  Without getting into the debate about the ethics of 'special' schools and education for the 'qualified' - for fear of fast running short of any serious valid arguments - I wish to dwell on the aspect of community support and the role of poverty.

While there are some hyperbolic cinematic liberties in the movie concerning education and living, the one that spot on is that there is greater happiness and joy among the poor than those blessed with material wealth.  While poverty is considered the curse of society, it also offers the most likelihood for happiness.  Living with the minimal brings people together.  It helps one keep one's feet on the ground and one's heart in the right place.  Too much of a comfort brings about distance among people and fosters a sense of suspicion among neighbours.  Most importantly, it is only in dire need that one truly discovers ones true friends and well wishers - something one will never be able to do when one has all one's material needs fully met.

Being grateful

Today I received a short video in which I heard a Hindu sadhu speak of a book titled Five Questions for Champions by Ron Kurtus.  The author states that before going to bed one should ask oneself the following five questions:

1. What am I grateful for?
2. Where did I do a good job?
3. Where did I help somebody? 
4. What did I learn today? 
5. How did I take care of myself? 

Indeed a good recipe for a healthy and peaceful life.  Even just the first question itself (being grateful) is sufficient to help one see the positive side of life and become an optimist.  

Pursuit of happiness

Does one have a right to be happy?  I suppose it is not as urgent or essential as the right to life.  In that sense, it cannot really be claimed to be a 'right'; a privilege, a bonus, maybe.

But almost everyone does seek happiness and wellbeing.  There's nothing wrong with it or bad about it.  And why should one not seek to be happy?  There is no sensible reason one would avoid happiness or give it up, unless it is for some greater happiness.

However, which is correct: right to happiness or right to pursue happiness?  The latter makes more sense.  Everyone has the right to the pursuit of happiness, not to ready-made happiness!  None can claim that he or she has the right to be happy, without any effort.

Healthy hearts

I came across this particular news item in the BBC today.  The scientists herein claim that they have found the healthiest hearts in the whole world. They belong to a Bolivian tribe named Tismane (pronounced chee-man-yee).  It describes their diet and physical routine and attributes their healthy hearts mainly to these: healthy diet and plenty of physical activity.  Read the full article here.

However, the article does, in passing, mention of their positive outlook and social life, as one of the influences in recording a healthy heart.  What struck me most of the photos embedded, was that these people were poor and typically tribal.  Being close to nature and following principles in line with the environment is a great value.  The integral life that they naturally live is not a remedy but reason for their well-being. Contentment and living close to nature are truly two great elements of a noble life.  Most of us in the urban life, eat and then exercise to burn the calories of what is eaten!  Our focus is mostly on diet and exercise.  Their focus is on life.  

Chertsey monks

This evening I visited the Chertsey Abbey, or rather the ruins of it.  I had been around the place sometimes, but never really to the actual site. Of course, there is nothing more than a pile of stones left.  But still the stones tell the tale of monastery which began in the 7th century!  The initial monastery built of timber was vandalized by Viking raiders in 871.  The surviving stones maybe of the fourteenth century construction.  In the beginning it is believed to have had more than 50,000 acres of land attached to it! But it is said that it was about 1346 that the monastery was at its best.  Plenty of work, involvement and renewed spirit. More about the historical facts, here.

I spent sometime there, prayed a while. Sat a while trying to imagine what it would have been to be monk living in the Abbey, in those days. After some wild guesses, I said to myself, it all could have been very different.  However, one thing I was sure of, most of them would have been happy!

The Salesian formula

Don Bosco's formula for sanctity (If I'm not mistaken it was something he gave to his apprentices, during one of his goodnight talks):

First, be happy; second, study and pray; third, do good to everyone. 

Though laden with meaning and needing further explanation of what he actually means by 'happiness', or 'prayer', this simple formula synthesizes Salesian spirituality in a sentence.

The temptation for me is to propose this formula for others, forgetting that I'm a student myself!

Complete the joy

"...so that our joy may be complete" (1 Jn 1: 4).

That's the last line of the Reading on the feast of St John, the Evangelist.  John is not forcing down the throat of anyone his experience or convictions. He is merely sharing it with anyone who is willing to hear. His thrill of this experience of union with the Father, through His Son is so great, that he cannot but share it.  It is sheer joy that makes him speak up.

"... what we have seen and heard, we now proclaim to you..." 

What if he himself had not heard or seen or believed?  I'm sure he would have shut up and sat idle! Is the reverse of this possible? Do all who proclaim, have an experience of Him?  In short, is it possible to preach without experience?  Possible, unfortunately! So what then distinguishes this bogus show from the sincere expression? Sheer joy! Not for oneself, but one that is contagious and empowering.

No wonder, Pope Francis calls religious, people of joy!

What makes us happy?

Here's the kids bulletin for the 32nd Sunday (courtesy: The Kids' Bulletin)

and one for the feast of St Martin of Tours...

Holiness is for everyone

On the occasion of the feast of All Saints, here's an important fact that most of us conveniently forget or are happy to do without:

To be a saint is not a privilege of a few... all of us in baptism have the inheritance of being able to become saints. Sanctity is a vocation for everyone. (Pope Francis)

... and that's why the Gospel of the day speaks of the Beatitudes. 

Shepherdess to Education Minister

An inspiring news article that I came across today:
Once A Shepherd Girl In Morocco, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem Is Now France's Education Minister!

It tells the story of the present Education minister of France who in her childhood looked after sheep that too in Morocco.  She never learnt French till she reached college.  Circumstances led her to France and once there she gave her best.  She learnt French. Mastered the political scenario of the country.  Learnt to reflect.  Tried to give back to the country which helped her so much.  And put it all together, she is now the Education minister deciding policies and affecting changes in France!!

It is no fairy-tale.  It is one of hard work and determination. Commitment and passion. Discipline and sacrifices.  One of transforming difficulties and hurdles into opportunities and moments of learning and growth.

Her advice to young people:

The best way to be happy with your future is by playing a part in it. If you’re just a spectator of collective fate, you’re bound to feel frustrated.

Seeds of a Salesian Vocation

We had an rather serious and involved monthly recollection this morning at Gagilapuram.  We reflected by ourselves on the second chapter of our Constitutions (the Salesian Spirit).

Among the other things that caught my attention during the specific reading of the decade of articles we choose for our reflection, I found Art. 16 most appealing.  It speaks of the Salesian Family Spirit.

In an atmosphere of mutual trust and daily forgiveness, the need and joy of sharing everything is experienced, and relationships are governed not so much by recourse to rules as by faith and the promptings of the heart.  

Quite a good synthesis of what should characterize a religious community. However what struck me most was the sentence that followed.  Not that it was anything so revelatory. But I never knew that the Constitutions themselves had spelled this so distinctly, that too right in the first section of the book (only goes to show how thorough is my own knowledge about the Salesian Constitutions).

This is a witness that enkindles in the young the desire to know and to follow the salesian vocation. 

Looking back at my own life, it is precisely this 'curiosity' the sort of 'magic' in the ambiance at the vocation camp that drew me to the aspirantate.

Statistics reveal that for the past decade or more, there have been just one youngster who has joined us from our own settings.  All the others never ever were associated with the Salesians till they reached the vocation camp or aspirantate!  Spells something very very distinctly about our community life in the Province.

'Who we are' - 'What we do'

An interesting question that Fr Ivo and Fr Silvio asked, in their letter about the Salesian vocation, specifying the salesian brother, is the following:

Could the witness of a community which gives of itself with joy, not be an efficacious response to the worrying diminution of candidates to the Salesian life who choose to be Salesian Brothers?  Young people choose to follow us not so much for what we are able to do, but for what we are and what we are to one another. 

This is another strong emphasis of the SAFC this year: the life of witness.  Fr Pandi's goodnight perhaps specified it most.  He said he barely remembered anything taught to him in the aspirantate or those early stages of formation.  But what he has truly lived by is what he SAW being lived by the Salesians with whom he shared his life.

Rightly so, today we do not have vocations from our own settings.  The reason is all too evident: young people see us do lot of things but are not inspired or challenged by our life!  

Living the vows

It is not enough to live the vows; we are called to live them in such a way that we become transparent, visible, joyful signs of the life of the resurrection. Signs are either visible or they are not signs at all. In our being Salesian Brothers or Salesian priests lies all the wealth of the gift that we are called to bring to the young and to the people of the 132 countries in which we live. Together we are the Don Bosco that they meet.

(an extract from the letter on the Salesian vocation, in its two forms, as Brothers and Priests)

Big vs the Small

In contrast to my recent visit to Osmania hospital, today I had the opportunity to enter in Care Hospital at Nampally.  Of course, being a posh hospital of the corporate structure, the system in place was well organised, neat and smooth.  So was the price!

As I was waiting for the doctor to meet and speak about the patient whom I was there for, I was watching the many people coming in, going out, working and some walking around.  Except among the staff, all the rest of those there were strangers to one another.  However, there was the look of agony on all their faces - I'm not talking of the patients.  One might say, what else do you expect at a hospital. Well, the expression was not just of physical pain or anguish, but a weird sense of being alone in a large lonely world, a look of being lost in thought of know not what.  But a gentle smile, a kind helping hand, even if it was just to help push a stretcher or lift a garbage bin, the whole face brightens up.

We often think and pursue large and lofty goals and dreams, in the hope that we'd be happy if we get what we are after. We forget that more than those big and lofty goals it is simple acts of kindness and help that bring greater and effective cheer in our lives.  It is these small tender and unexpected deeds that grease the larger machinery of life, that keep life going.

Be perfect as in be whole

And at the end, if we are brave enough to love, strong enough to forgive, generous enough to rejoice in another's happiness, and wise enough to know there is enough love to go around for us all, then we can achieve a fulfillment that no other living creature will ever know. We can re-enter paradise. 

Harold Kushner

Of pearls and the process...

Last Sunday there was the Gospel about the man in search of pearls and the end of his quest.  It speaks of one who in search of fine pearls comes across one of great value, returns home, sells all he has, and purchases that one pearl of great value.  All fine.  I understand we are to understand that the one pearl is the Kingdom of God or God Himself.  That possessing Him we are truly happy and contended.

However, I'm beginning to feel that there is a slight twist to this whole episode in real life, especially in our modern times.  The actual Gospel sequence is:
knowledge of pearls,
search for fine pearls,
discovery of one,
return to the pearls already possessed,
sale of them all,
purchase of the one great pearl.
Consequence: Bliss

But in most of our lives the sequence could be:
improper or haphazard knowledge of pearls
random picking up of anything that shines!
and mesmerized with what I have.
Consequence: Illusionary bliss

Even among those who heed the Gospel call, there could be some who follow this procedure:
sell everything (just because Jesus said!... not because I've discovered the Kingdom)
start searching
slowly spend the fortune in hand
(for I really have no patience to find the real pearl or worse still, I underestimate the price of the real pearl... worst of all: I haven't found the pearl at all!)