Good is not the word

Speaking of stating the truth without hurting or causing confusion and in a way acceptable to all, without in any way diluting the content of it, is an art. 

Many years ago a few Salesians doing a refresher course in the States were invited by a family for a meal to their home.  The household had put in great efforts to receive them, make them feel at home and lay out a grand meal.  However the food was not so great.  And when, at the end of the meal, the hostess asked the priests how was the meal, one of them prudently replied, "Good is not the word!" 

The Salesian conveyed what he wanted to convey, without in anyway offending the lady! 

The stranger

The first reading of the day, wherein a lady not only offers hospitality to the prophet Elisha but eventually makes room for him in her house, stands in stark contrast to the situation in the West today.  In the light of the immigration crisis there is a sizeable population in the 'developed countries' who do not want 'foreigners' in the land, except when they bring in revenue.  If they arrive as dependents, then they are not welcome!

Take for instance, Australia.  It takes in approximately 13,000 immigrants every year.  Given the size of the country and its terrain, even if that number were tripled it would still be able to accommodate them all. But it would not!  Well even I am not for immigration.  But for different reasons.  Why should a person be forced to move out of his own place, his home, his land?  Only wanderers love roaming around.  For most, we human beings like to get back home at the end of the day... even if that day is stretched to months or years.  So rather than 'rehabilitate', help make their homes and countries a safe place where they can continue to live.  They may not have the luxury and the comfort of another nation, but what greater place on earth than 'home'.

While hosting nations and citizens have genuine concerns about those coming into their country.  Some of them are worth discussing and do cause inconvenience to all involved.  However, most of the reasons cited by those against 'non-natives' are based on undue fear and heightened selfishness of a few.  The gospel of the day is then a challenge to each one of us to move out of ourselves, to risk, to be generous and see the world as more and beyond oneself.

Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple--amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward. 

Hospitality

In Sanskrit there is a saying which has this particular phrase, athithi devo bhavaa (Guest is God-like).  It comes in a series of statements which places parents and teachers in the same privileged place like guests, all god-like.

Today's Mass readings highlight this element of hospitality when it speaks of Abraham's kind gesture towards the travellers.  He invites them in, prepares a royal banquet for them, waits on them.  They are total strangers and all of this hospitality, without being asked for it.

Sociologically it can be said that in the middle-east seeing some person in those deserts was a real joy. Hence the hospitality to anyone one comes across.  However, there is also the cultural and moral dimension that sees a guest as more than a mere mortal.  It is said that even if an enemy asks for hospitality and comes as a guest, he is to be treated like an angel.  Not only is he to be protected from any danger at whatever costs, he is to be treated royally.

This particular narration from the life of Abraham when juxtaposed with the gospel of the day where in the centurion 'does not want' to have Jesus in his house is quite interesting.  The centurion perhaps is aware that if Jesus, a Jew, were to step in his house, he would be considered impure and have to undergo the rights of purification.  But more than that the faith of the man in Jesus is something that that stands out.  He knows that Jesus can cure his servant even without making the effort of moving from his place.

The strangers bless Abraham and Sarah only after their meal and towards the end of their stay.  Here Jesus blesses the centurion even without stepping into his house... a matter of receiving Jesus into our hearts much before we receive him into our homes.  

First Impressions while in London

My first blog post from my new community in London!

I arrived here in London day before yesterday after a rather smooth flight from Hyderabad via Mumbai. After landing and clearing the immigration check, I was received by Fr John Dickson, the Rector of the Salesian Community which I am part of.  He has been very supportive and helpful for the last few months, ever since I started the procedure of applying at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Here are my first impressions of the place:

1. Lovely greenery!  The location of my university and the Salesian residence is just beautiful. Makes me feel as though am living in one of those picture postcards or desktop backgrounds! 
2. The house is very simple but beautiful. The college building is majestic and splendid (more of it later).
3. Fr John and the University staff were generous in their help and assistance.  Coming from India where the general apathy of government offices and staff is well known, it was a pleasant surprise for me that I was given full and detailed instructions and support at every counter or office that I went to.  Not only me but every one who approached the support staff received the same warm supportive assistance.  Fr John has indeed been extremely helpful. 
4. On the first day itself, I visited the college chapel and a couple of other offices along with Fr John.  First thing that struck me was that each room - yes, each room - had a collection of books.  Even the sacristy of the college had a rack of books.  Even in my room there are books (left behind by the former occupant).  Each of these places had books about every topic.  So they were not merely for specific utility but even of a wide range. I gather that here people read...  and read a lot!  

There's lot more... but in due time.

The best I can offer...?

I'd observed this particular phenomena in Kondadaba, not only among the Brothers but in some of the collaborators in the Seminary.  I notice the same or similar tendency among some of the Brothers here too.  What I am referrring to is something about hospitality. It can be regarded as positive but it certainly is not a virtue.  To be specific it is this:  Brothers think that when we, as a community, conduct an animation programme, inviting hundreds of children or youth, we should serve them lavish food  (read it as non-veg and with the vegetarian option as well)!  Perhaps it has something to do with the wrong impression that they have, namely that we have plenty of money and therefore we 'should' spend it for 'such noble' deeds.

However, for me I am beginning to see another angle to this whole thing. Brothers, when they visit families or are invited for a meal to a house, the latter certainly offer them Chicken curry.  All that Brothers want to do is reciprocate this kind gesture. But here's the catch, which I doubt if any of the Brothers even attempt to get.  Whenever a family prepares and offers a meal to a group or couple of Priests and religious, it has to make a sacrifice sometime before or after.  In order to serve, 'good' meals they have to forgo meat for their own family at least once, if not more.  I was informed by the Administrator, that if we were to serve Chicken for the upcoming Youth fest, it alone would cost us Rs 8'000/- Instead if that is taken off the menu and a decent vegetarian meal is offered (even if an egg is added to that menu), we can serve the whole group a sumptuous meal and still have some amount left in hand.

I wonder if Brothers would be willing to sacrifice their share of meat for as long as it takes to make up for the one-time meat served for the 300 youth attending this fest? If there is even a slightest bit of hesitation in accepting to do this then my former theory is right.

Finally, I am hatefully allergic to this notion that the best we can offer to our youth is a good meal!! We gladly and unabashedly accept that we have nothing better to offer than what comes from our kitchen!  What about my own reflections, my experiences, my own inspirational or challenging lifestyle, ... my own meaningful self?  

Abraham, Mary, Martha and Jesus

Today's reading speak about hospitality and treating guests. Abraham royally treats the strangers not knowing who they truly were. But given his Jewish upbringing and natural habit of taking care of those who travel, he treats them well.  Mary and Martha too attend to Jesus when he visits their house in Bethany.  The difference in both these instances, as stated by the Parish Priest in his lovely sermon today, is that Abraham did not know whom he was attending upon. Mary and Martha knew very well who and what Jesus was.  Not knowing that they were divine beings, Abraham offers them whatever comfort he could provide, since they needed it.  Martha was busy offering Jesus the things He did not really want, not immediately!  It was not necessary to give to Jesus then, but be open to receive from Him!

What and whom to give, has been stated by Jesus elsewhere... To the Samaritan woman he says, "If you but knew who is asking you for water, you'd be the one who'd ask Him to give you the living waters!"  Martha and Mary knew Jesus, yet Martha was keen only on giving to Jesus.  Elsewhere Jesus says, "When you throw a banquet, do not invite those who will be able to repay your invitation in kind, rather invite those who will not be able to pay you back!"  This clearly states whom to invite: strangers, poor, the destitute... your enemies.

Quite a point for reflection:  Jesus has more to offer than you have to give!  

Indian/Salesian hospitality

This morning, after all the confusion, including a fine of Rs 100 for not wearing the seat belt while driving, (perhaps in away, thanks to it!) I had the opportunity to meet Ms Carola Carazzone, a member of VIS, a voluntary organisation related to the Salesian Family. I had heard a lot about her from Fr TD John and Fr Palli, especially after their return from the Human Rights Congress held in Rome early this year.

I too find her very pleasant and eager to know people, to see things, and to have a taste of things typically Indian. No fuss about anything missing or too conscious about being a 'guest' (and therefore to be treated so). Just at home with all that is.

I distinctly remember the Irish couple who were here last October for the retreat. Worse still they were the retreat preachers!! From their behaviour and demands, they were anything but 'Christian'!! Even them we treated well (till I lost my head one afternoon). Somehow, that's one thing I like of us Indians, particularly of our Salesians... hospitality. Anywhere you go, you are at once made to feel at home. Things may not be perfect, but all that is lacking is made up by the warmth, concern and joy people express when they meet and interact with you.

Athithi devo bhava (Guest is as good as God!)

Don Bosco, the Marchioness Barolo and me!

Yesterday I was reading up something of Don Bosco and Marchioness Barolo and their connection, especially in the light of the Srs of St Ann and their General Chapter. Nice to know that Don Bosco and the Marchioness had a mutual admiration right from the first time they saw each other. They both recognised each other as holy and charitable persons doing their bit! That the Marchioness was one behind the famous 'Barolo' wine famously referred to as the 'wine for the kings' was indeed an amusing revelation. But what amused me most was the reversal of roles here these days. I can imagine Don Bosco meeting the Marchioness several times seeking permission to carry on his activities with the boys and balancing this personal charism with the entrusted responsibility of being the chaplain at St Philomena hospital. Then it was the Marchioness who gave shelter to Don Bosco - even though temporarily. Today, it's an interesting reversal of roles: the Sisters of St Anne of Providence are at Don Bosco!! What's more, their Provincials and General Councillors running after me, a mere son of Don Bosco, seeking for this and that!! What a day!! Anyway, glad to be able to reciprocate the generous hospitality that the Marchioness offered to Don Bosco in his time of need.