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? 

Understanding tolerance

Another key point Prof. Tim Crane made while presenting ideas from his latest book, The meaning of belief, was the notion of tolerance.  Beginning with historical origin of this word he explained how it initially was very much associated and connected with suffering.  It then basically meant accepting suffering for having no means of escape from it.  However over the years the meaning of the word tolerance has undergone a shift but is now slowly turning into something very different and harmful!   
In the context of religion and religious tolerance, the word takes a different meaning.  It is not that religion or religions are to be tolerated in as much as they cause suffering yet for no other alternative we accept them.  It is not even that we let other religions exist side by side, for want of peace.  This would mean that we resist anything that 'offends' other religions.  We respect them. Prof. Crane said that's an inappropriate and unhealthy notion of tolerance.  Tolerance, on the contrary, involves disapproval, and does not involve respect.  His position was that we need not respect beliefs.  In fact, many beliefs, especially religious beliefs are not worthy of respect!  Rather he stated that we need to respect people, respect believers, not beliefs.  He just stopped short of saying 'Respect believers, tolerate beliefs'!  Moreover he spoke of tolerance as a practical attitude rather than a theoretical stand.  However, he was open to accept that this notion of tolerance, limits of it, actual practical entailment of this, are still vague and not well defined in his thought.

He was mentioning of an article by Bernard Williams on Tolerance... should read up that. 

Mixing up means and goals

In our enthusiasm to be devout and spiritual we tend to often fail to grasp the real meaning of being so.  We comfortably - and obstinately - settle for the means rather than the goal.  The means is something truly good and noble but we turn that into an end in itself, forgetting that it is supposed to lead us to the living God.  One simple example: the Bible.  The scriptures are meant to help us come closer to God.  However, it is also possible that we get so lost in the Bible that we forget God!  For those who contend that the word cannot be separated from God himself, need to ask themselves ' Is God so fossilized in the written word that he can no longer speak and make himself known through other means?'  If so, then they've never really understood God; some may have perhaps made the Bible into their God.

We Christians run the same danger of the Jews in Jesus' time.  The Jews then were sure of the scriptures, knew exactly what God was like and what he wanted.  But there comes a man named Jesus, saying and doing all the wrong things, and yet claiming to have been sent by the very God whose 'laws' he was breaking!  Today we are so 'full' of Christianity, that God himself may find it hard to enter our lives.  The readings of the day (God appearing to the Israelites on Sinai and 'blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear') are a stark reminder of waking up to this reality, rather than blaming those gone by for failing to notice the presence of God amidst them.

All that we say or do is for us to feel the presence of God.  Trust that He can use any and every means to reach to us.  We are only called to be open to His message.  Not be fixated on something so stubbornly that we block out not only any further communication from him but Him altogether!

Thinking as pigeons

Received this interesting message on whatsapp today...
In an ancient temple, a number of pigeons lived happily on the roof. When the renovation of the temple began for the feast, the pigeons relocated themselves to a Church nearby.  The existing pigeons in the church accommodated the new comers very well.

Christmas was nearing and the church needed a face lift.  All the pigeons then had to look for another place. They found one in the mosque at the other end of the town.  The pigeons in the mosque had no complaints and welcomed the others happily.  A while later, the mosque was being rebuilt and the pigeons now moved back to the temple.

One day the pigeons saw some communal clashes in the market and a baby pigeon asked the mother pigeon, "Who are these creatures?" "They are human beings," replied the mother. "And why are they fighting?"asked the little one.  The mother replied, "These human beings going to the temple are called 'hindus' and those going to the church, called 'christians' and the people going to the mosque are called 'muslims'.

The baby pigeon was surprised. "Why is it so? When we were in the temple we were called pigeons, and so were we when we moved to the church and then the mosque.  Similarly they should be called 'human beings' wherever they go." The mother replied, " You and me and all our pigeon friends have experienced God and that's why we live here in this elevated place, peacefully. These human beings are yet to experience God.  Hence they keep fighting and killing one another."

Divergent thoughts

There are different perspectives one comes across when one starts interacting with people.  A classroom which facilitates discussion and debate is one fertile ground for hearing different and sometimes divergent views.  There are those who have similar views as oneself.  Then there are those who agree to most of what you hold but differ on some points.  There are those who agree with your point of view theoretically but practically believe that it cannot be so.  Then there are a few who have no view at all (God alone knows how... or perhaps give them the benefit of doubt and say that they do not wish to express their view).  Then there are those who hold a radically contradictory view to oneself.  In an environment of healthy discussion and exchange of ideas, this is very enriching.

However, what if the other does not want to see your viewpoint at all!  What if he or she thinks that what you hold as real and something you are very much convinced about, is utter nonsense and totally illogical?  

Search for God

Here's a beautiful reflection from the Pope himself in reply to 'Search for God'...

When a person searches for his or herself, they find God. Maybe, they don’t succeed in finding him but they are going along the path of honesty, searching for the truth, for a road of goodness and a road of beauty… they’re on the right road and it’s certain they’ll find God! Sooner or later, they will find him. But the road is a long one and some people don’t find him in their lives. They don’t find him consciously. But they are very true and honest with themselves, very good and lovers of beauty, so that in the end they have a very mature personality, capable of an encounter with God, which is always a grace. Because an encounter with God is a grace.

Coming from Pope Francis, means a lot.  Note: He does not speak of some high end Theology or dole out a list of Biblical verses.  He speaks of humanity, of truth, of goodness... How I wish we, clergy and religious, learn this basic fact and truth of religion and God, before we cause more harm in society, in the name of the one who lived in contrast to our understanding.

Read the whole interview of the Pope with a group of young people from Belgium (Note the number of times he laughs! A beautiful living example of how living one's humanity joyfully radiates divinity!)

Reasoning Faith vs Faith-ful Reasoning

What's the difference between 'religious thinking' and 'thinking about religion'?  This was the question I spoke of as part of the introduction on Philosophy of Religion yesterday.  After explaining the difference, I left them with the question, as to which category belongs our practices of piety?  Is it religious thinking or thinking about faith?  Would one be possible without the other?

The other tricky part was speaking about faith and reason or in other words, the need to engage oneself in a process of critical dialogue.  That a genuine faith will not shrink from being challenged and challenging!  That a robust faith is possible only when one has put one's faith to test and made a sincere attempt to review our body of beliefs.

... that people fear putting their faith to the test for fear of loosing the little they have.  Others, fear that they'll have nothing to hold on to (so who is sustaining whom? Faith sustains us or are we 'sustaining' faith???).  Some those who, with great trepidation, dare to undergo the test, cling to the massive debris rather than the iota of essence. Some go through the test only to 'justify' their faith, not to test it, but merely to somehow endorse it. 

Convenience, not conviction

Today I got a lovely chance to challenge my students of the third course, to accept our own hypocrisy about Chrisitianity and the Church.  Discussing religious diversity and the famous responses of exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralism, all of them were very sure of the inclusivistic attitude of the Church (they are fresh from a workshop on the Vatican Council II).  However, I challenged them if our daily living and practicing of our faith reflects the same.

If our proclamation and evangelisation is merely to add numbers to our 'church' then it is as good as advertisement or propaganda.  If it is mere vocalising our sentiments, then it is dramatisation.

Still fresh with our Chapter discussions, especially the whole theme of mystics of the spirit and Stan's talk on practical atheism in consecrated life, I realise our faith is more of convenience than conviction. We speak and preach Christ not because we are really, really, REALLY convinced of Him but because it is either convenient or mandatory.  Either of the latter options is no true meaning of evangelisation or witnessing.  Let me directly confess for myself, rather than speak for everyone else: I still am not ready for Him! Yet I claim to be His disciple!

Only now am I beginning to understand the prayer, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9: 24).

People of God and all God's people

Fr Maliekal for quite some years now has been using this phrase:  people of God and all God's people.  I know not if he read it somewhere or if he invented it himself. However, ever since then it has helped me grasp something which has been vital in understanding God, His ways, Human beings and our ways.

'People of God' commonly refers to the chosen race - then the Jews and now the Christians.  Well, this is what 'we' think God decrees - no authoritarian claims for this reading of God's mind.  However the next part of the phrase, 'all God's people' is a more wider and wholistic understanding.  The latter part leaves out no one.  And frankly speaking none, not even the Pope can say it is not so!  For each person is created in the image and likeness of God, whether Christian or not!  Religion does not precede life. 

Church as 'Catholic'

The Maundy Thursday Mass sermon and announcement slot were an open bashing up of the other Christian denominational Churches. Open provocative statements against the believers of these Churches filled the air the whole evening. This was done with the clear intent of showing the Roman Catholic Church as the 'true' and 'original' (hence, valid?) Church. The point of contention was that the Catholic Church has the Eucharist which is the best incarnational aspect of God, much more than the Word alone (which the Protestants and others seem to emphasize upon.

I was, however, not very comfortable with this attitude and remarks. For me what matters most, given the context of the people amidst whom I live here, is that they have faith and are assisted to grow spiritually. 'We', Catholics forget that people leave the 'Church' for these 'other Churches' because they seek fulfillment in the latter. We forget that they leave us for better things! I do not say that their motivations (on either side) are always clear and pure. However, before pointing fingers at others we need to get our act together and clear our own house!

Inviting those on the periphery

Christmas is an inclusive festival. No wonder the first Christmas, the invitation was for all on the periphery: the shepherds, the pagan kings... But in our eagerness we celebrate Christmas with only the ones we know, only the Catholics. I tell the Brothers when they go out for their weekend ministry: Go, reach out to all, irrespective of which religion they belong to. You are being sent to the village and not to the Catholics alone of that village.

Nice to celebrate Christmas by including all those who are normally not invited, those forgotten. As for me, I'd like to send a note to all whom I've not been in touch with since I left Hyderabad - and that's a really long list!! One of them was Fr Tom and surprisingly he called me this morning!

Interreligious Dialogue

I was reviewing a book on interreligious dialogue between Christianity and Islam by a Catholic Priest. Somehow, I found the book wanting on several fronts:

• There is no mention of Jesus Christ at all!! I took it for granted that Jesus would be one of the key figures discussed in the book besides Muhammad and Abraham... but to my shock he is not there!! I wonder what dialogue is the author talking about between Christianity and Islam without the very person of Jesus!!
• Secondly there seems to be an overwhelming 'Christian' overdose in the text. (Now, that I cannot mention in the review!! Even if I did, the editor would chop it off!!). When I say 'overdose' I do not mean the 'normal prejudice' I expect the author (being a Catholic Priest) to have. But a sensible balance when speaking of 'dialogue' between two religions and cultures.
• Perhaps my criticism springs from the lessons I learnt from Fr Ivo and his classes at Divyadaan (Nashik) on Religious pluralism. Dialogue is much more than openness and willingness to listen to the other. It is a passion to share what I have, coupled with the openness to receive what the other has to offer, in all his or her being. Furthermore, there are various levels at which dialogue is possible. The present author seems to be totally ignorant of it or has conveniently chosen to leave aside that aspect of it. The greatest merit in a genuine interreligious dialogue is the discussion of - or atleast the ambiance to discuss - the most thorny issues. This books clearly evades them all.
  
• As for primary resources, for Christian thought it is the Scriptures, Vatican II docs and the Papal talks. And for the Islamic interpretation?? Sacred Scriptures (The Quran) and just a couple of Islamic thinkers whom the author considers an authority. What about the Shariat, if not of every nation, at least the ones considered most authoritative?

Thy Kingdom come!

Thy Kingdom come!' ... that was the editorial title of one of the editions of Bp Pierre Claverie's Le Lien in October 1995 (almost a year before he was assassinated in Algeria). I was asked to review the book A Life Poured Out: Pierre Claverie of Algeria and I should admit that I found it very refreshing and challenging. I was reminded of the life and works of Dietrich Bonheoffer, whom I read during my days of Theology in Shillong. The same passionate zeal and courage to stand by what is true and just. Truly a courageous man to stand tall and speak out against anyone (and any religion) that dehumanizes. He must surely have been a man of great depth to have won even the admiration and friendship of Muslim leaders and politicians. That he was assassinated itself is a proof that he was among the best in Algeria! The world and the Church could do more with such men as Pierre Claverie.

Here are some of his quotes:

The Church carries out its vocation and its mission when it is present wherever humanity is torn, crucified, and fragmented... We are indeed where we belong, because it is only in this way that one can see the light of the Resurrection, and together with it the hope of the renewal of the world.

As long as we do not measure the length, breadth, height, depth - the whole extent of the abyss that separates us, we are not ready to acknowledge each other, understand each other, love each other.

In Algeria, it is our good fortune to be pretty well stripped of our riches, our pretensions, and our self-sufficiency... Let us give thanks to God when he restores his church to simple humanity.

The value of my life lies in my capacity to give it away.

Sensitivity and openness in prayer

Yesterday evening on my way from Wyra back to the Provincial house I happened to notice that the young girl sitting in the front row of the bus would occasionally pull out a notebook and keep writing the name 'Sri Ram' over and over again. Apparently she was a Hindu and doing this exercise, for some special favour. I said to myself, if only she had better sense, she would have spent that time and energy doing some good rather than writing and rewriting the same word. I felt it so odd that she was doing the same act - which for all purposes was a useless one - over and over again, apparently for some selfish gain!

I forgot all about this till a while later when I began reciting my rosary. Just when I was half way through the second decade, my eyes fell on the girl's notebook and I was so struck I could not utter another word. Having said all that about the girl and her act, here I was doing a similar deed - repeating the 'Hail Mary' over and over again! How was my act different from hers? I was so ashamed of myself that I was not able to be sensitive to another persons' prayer; I hardly had enough peace of mind to complete my rosary!

So much for finding real meaning and being sensible enough to see the same in others words and deeds.