Maximilian Kolbe

 Today we commemorate the feast of Maximilian Kolbe, the saint of the holocaust who offered his life in exchange for that of his fellow prisoner.  

What drives home for me on this day, as I recall his heroic act of sacrifice, is what I remember telling my students years ago:  Dying for Christ is rather easy; what isn't is living like Christians!  

Speaking during a lesson in Anthropology, in the section on human emotions and habits, I recall making this point very emphatically to the students (not that I prepared for it; it was very very extemporary). The Church did not make Kolbe a saint purely because he, at that crucial point of time, offered himself as a substitute to the fellow prisoner.  It is because the Church and we recognise that he could act so, because he was used to it.  Making a choice for the good of the others, placing the other before oneself, being selfless were virtues ALREADY practised and lived by this man.  The act in that prison, was not an on the spur reaction, without thought and preparation. Of course, none immediately.  But certainly he had made placing the other before oneself, a habit; not a once in a way act.  

Maximilian Kolbe could die for his companion (and God) because he LIVED for God and his people!  He didn't have to make a big sacrifice at that point of time; because he had consistently and consciously made such decisions and choices, for long, until that time! 

Most people think that he died of starvation and thirst in the prison; he didn't. He, along with three others (out of the 10) isolated and starved, as a deterrent for the other prisoners to try to escape the prison, survived even after two weeks.  And since the Nazi guards wanted to end this 'lesson' quick and for need of space, decided to end the episode by injecting the lethal injection of carbolic acid.  And so it was that after being deprived of food and water for two weeks, he was administered the carbolic acid injection! 

Simon of Cyrene, the epitome of (most) religious

Simon of Cyrene, who is roped in to help Jesus carry his cross, presents a glimpse of a particular personality type.  Most of us live this personality or this trait very often in our life - especially religious.

Simon is there on the scene by chance.  Or could be there by choice.  But him getting dragged in to assist Jesus is pure chance!  No way did he volunteer for it (doesn't look so).  The soldiers may have asked for volunteers to come forward.  Simon may have thought of volunteering.  Maybe he did.  Nonetheless, the point is this: He knew for certain that the cross was not his.  He was safe!  He only had a guest appearance!  Of this he was sure.  From the citadel of that certainty it is not very difficult to help Jesus!  With my securities in place, I lose nothing. So lending a helping hand to someone is fine. 

All he had to do was play the role for that intermediary period, till Golgotha or till the soldiers decide to let go of him.  No smart moves!  He didn't protest the persecution and the torture.  He wouldn't.  He was not seen or heard before.  He is not seen or heard after this event.  This is exactly the mission mode most religious happily engage in: doing good (occasionally or very often), but from within the comfort zones one wouldn't risk leaving.  But we are called - and we profess, in response - to be more than mere part-time charity doers or organisers.  We are meant to be the radicals.  We are called to be His disciples, all the time, everywhere, for all.  Even if it entails not being with Jesus on his way to Calvary - like John the Baptist - because, we have already walked that way!  

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? 

Romero, a saint?

The other day someone expressed their doubt if Romero was actually a martyr or a case of political assassination. He was not contesting the canonization of the person but expressing a sentiment that one gets to see in quite some believers.  The point is that he did not 'die' for 'religious' reasons.  That the circumstances in which he was killed wasn't a question or threat to faith, rather a political turmoil. 

I for one, firmly believe that Romero is a saint - so is anyone who takes a stand for some value, especially not for himself but on behalf of others, especially those who cannot really take that step.  Romero is for me a saint who did not restrict himself to his office or Cathedral.  As a priest, a bishop, he stood with his people.  He stood against some of his own clergy who took up arms.  He was not hesitant to call what is wrong, wrong.  Even if it was the one's he was representing within the Church.  He stood for values, not compromises. 

Furthermore, he stood with his people, and distinctively with the poor.  And as a bishop and minister of God, he used the sacraments as a means of pointing to the values, not as belittling them, as some accuse him of, but of pointing to what is right, what is good and true.  Standing with his people, he upheld hope, and showed them, by example, what love truly entails - loving all, even those who cause harm.  The same love also entails courage, the courage to stand up to oppression, injustice and violence, but not out of hatred but for love.

Last of all, if Romero's death was a mere political assassination, so was Jesus' crucifixion.  The Romans did not sentence Jesus to death for any religious reasons - those accusations brought forth by the religious authorities meant nothing to the Romans.  He was sentenced in order to avoid social unrest and political chaos.  What marks out a martyr is not merely how he or she died, but how he or she lived as well.  In that sense, Romero is a saint, not merely in the death he died but in the life he lived.  

Sharing sufferings and help

The readings on the feast of St Laurence (the Scripture reading and the Mass readings) have a particular and special stance.  Though clearly hinting at martyrdom and death, they also contain a special combination not often emphasised much: suffering and help. 

Let us give thanks to the God, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes.  He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help those who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God.  Just as we have a share in Christ's many sufferings, so also through Christ we share in his great help (2 Cor. 1: 3-5). 

This aspect of sharing in the sufferings of Christ or bearing persecution for being a witness to Christ is spoken of much, but barely anything said about extending the help that we have been blessed with.  Perhaps, it is primarily because most people go about helping others without making a bit fuss about it. 

The life and works of St Laurence surely are a great example and inspiration for being generous in extending God's help to others who are in need of help.  

Deep-fried for God

Today is the feast of St Laurence.  My family, especially Papa, has been a great devotee of St Laurence.  The fact that Attur, in Karnataka has a large shrine dedicated to St Laurence and to which both my parents belonged to, has much to do with this attachment.  And so, the first and most 'exciting' martyrs tale that we as children heard was that of St Laurence.  That too what a tale it was: being burnt on the iron grid!  I always tried to imagine how they would have burned him and which side they burned first for I always found it amusing that after a while on the grid, he told his tormentors that one side of his was sufficiently burnt and that they should turn him over to the other side! 

This is the statue of St Laurence we always had on our family altar

While at Mass today, the most immediate instance in our times that flashed across my mind, was the news reports of the recent wild fires in Greece. Remember reading about the firefighters discovering bodies of victims in a group. When they knew that they could not outrun the fire or escape it they formed a huddle, placing the younger ones in the centre, trying to shield them from the fire. Gives an insight into the great love that parents have for their children and dear ones.  Even in the face of agonizing death, their priority and thoughts are all about the well being of their loved ones.  Even so was St Laurence, when even faced with death, all he was concerned was God and the poor. 

Passion of John the Baptist

Was told the other day that the commemoration of the beheading of John the Baptist is now referred to as the 'passion of John the Baptist'.  I found that weird.

Honestly, John the Baptist did not have any prolonged agony prior to his death.  Most probably even when the soldiers came to his prison to behead him, he would not have known of his imminent death.  So besides being behind bars for a short while, I don't see what great agony he would have undergone to now refer to it as the 'passion'.

However, on deeper reflection it struck me that perhaps he did suffer.  He surely must have struggled a lot with many a thing prior to his death.  I am sure he would have wondered and found it very confusing that he was imprisoned for telling a fact.  He must have wondered if he was sane, because no one else in the whole kingdom felt that Herod taking his brother's wife was wrong.  JB would have asked himself if he was right and the rest wrong, especially given the fact that only he seemed to say that Herod's act was unethical. To have to stand all alone is itself a great task demanding courage and will.  Then over and above it to be hounded for taking a stand, that too a righteous one, would be more hurting.  

Of martyrdom

Regarding martyrdom and crusades...

A religious community, a church, can exhort a member to die for his belief and become a martyr, but only for the salvation of his own soul, not for the religious community in its quality as an earthly power; otherwise it assumes a political dimension. Its holy wars and crusades are actions which presuppose an enemy decision, just as do other wars (p. 48) [Schmitt, C. (2007) The concept of the political Chicago: The university of Chicago press.] 

Am not very sure if in the process of canonization, especially those considered martyrs, this element of distinguishing between dying for faith and dying for the Church is taken note of.  And I wonder if the latter is worth dying for.  For a person, a principle, yes! For a structure? Possible, but wouldn't that be political rather than spiritual?

This distinction between the political aspect and the spiritual aspect is good to understand the difference between the Church and the Kingdom of God.  That both these need not be the same, especially when the Church is understood with all its administrative and "political" tassels.

The truth will set you free

Reflection for April 5, 2017: If God were your father...

Freedom is a tricky issue. Most of us are convinced that if I am able to do anything, then I'm free. If not, then I'm not free. True freedom is not about doing anything. It is about doing what one ought to do. That what we claim we are, we choose to do accordingly – freedom lies in that choice to strive and be fully who we are. Jesus proves this clearly when he says, “If you claim to be descendants of Abraham, you will act accordingly… If God were your Father, you would love Him...” The trio of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego knew exactly what they believed in. They did not need Yahweh to save them in order for their belief to be confirmed. “Our God… may he save us. But even if not, know O king, that we will not worship your god or anything else.” Nothing ever binds such freedom.

The political

Am reading an interesting text by Carl Schmitt titled, 'The concept of the political' wherein he discusses what it means to be 'political'.  He basically asserts that human being is basically a political being. If one decides to stay alone, then fine...in that case, he is not political.  But then he stands all alone!  On the other hand, the human being is associated with other dimensions of reality and be part of those dimensions too, but in each and every dimension, it is in his decision making that the political comes to the fore.

Even a religious group is political - besides being involved in 'party politics'.

A religious community, a church, can exhort a member to die for his belief and become a martyr, but only for the salvation of his own soul, not for the religious community in its quality as an earthly power; otherwise it assumes a political dimension (Schmitt, 'The concept of the political' 2007, p. 48).

Schmitt's 'political' observations are quite interesting and very insightful.  That he was a staunch member of the Nazi party, does not diminish in any way, some of the concepts and theories he proposes.  I found his ideas on humanity very appealing.  

Herod's court then, and today's crime scene

The central figures during the martyrdom of John the Baptist are alive in every crime-scene even today.

There is Herodias, the instigator.  She does not get her hands soiled - apparently, no. But she is the real brain behind the whole assassination plot.

There is her daughter, the innocent pawn.  She knows not what the ulterior motives and inner politics are being played.  She does not even know that she herself is being played!  But all the same, she is the weapon of assassination - even without her knowledge.

There is finally Herod, the policy-maker.  He knows exactly how things are going to be played out.  He merely lets them to his own advantage.  He certainly has the power to set things right, to do right. But he won't!  

Widening the meaning of Martyrdom

The celebration  or commemoration of the beheading of John the Baptist, (or as the latest ordo puts it euphemistically, 'the passion of John the Baptist') proves a very significant point about martyrdom.  Very often the Church has considered only those who have been slain 'for Christs' name' as the sole criterion for declaring some one a martyr.  If one analyses the life, or more particularly, the death of John the Baptist, it is clear that he never died because of his association with Jesus Christ.  He died just because he spoke the truth and dared to stand by it, come what may.  He paid a heavy price not for proclaiming Christ but for standing for truth and values.

The recent uplifting of the ban on the canonisation process of Oscar Romero is indeed a step in the right direction - once again, hats off to Pope Francis.  If John the Baptist can be venerated as a saint for laying down his life, because he chose to stick on to the truth and not because he was an ardent follower or proclaimer of Christ, so can Romero.  Truly speaking, Christ Himself stated: I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life!

A catacomb experience

For once I had a personal experience of participating in a Mass as though I were an early Christian and we were having the liturgy in the catacombs, in hiding from the Romans.  Well my reasons were totally different from that of the early Christians, but the experience was none the less same.  I know not but how 'free' that celebration of the Mass was.  There was always the fear of being discovered by the persecutors and therefore so many things to bear in mind all along.  Yet, that was the real cradle of Christianity.  Faith grew from these catacomb-meetings.

Another aspect I found reflecting as I participated in Mass was the grace of forgiveness.  I thought I was more cruel than God Himself.  While He surely would have forgiven and moved on, I still found it hard to forgive and reconcile myself to the fact that 'this' still is the reality.  

Actors or Disciples

There is a very thin line dividing the actors from the disciples in the Church - for that matter, in any setting. The acid test to distinguish one from the other is suffering or trials. An actor will wriggle out of it or disown the very organisation he or she belongs to. The actor will come out clean. The genuine disciple, on the other hand, will stand his or her ground and stick to the principles and values which he or she holds dear. Great is the disciple who is willing even to give up one's life for these.

The blood of martyrs is one living proof of their love and commitment to Christ and His Church. They lived and died for a reason... a reason other than themselves. They lived and loved their life but when they found something that for which their life was demanded in return, they did not hold back their life. They risked their life, for what they believed was greater than life... love for the person of Christ and passion for His people.

Courage, Martyrdom and Media

The recent death of Pakistani journalist Saleem Shahzad, in the heart of Islamabad is a living example of courage and values. He knew he was treading dangerous path when accusing the very system that was providing protection to the country of working hand in glove with the world's most dreaded terror outfits. In spite of repeated threats he continued what he thought was his primary responsibility as a journalist... and he paid the price!

I can imagine his tension as he went about doing his 'job' - to be unsure of who, when and what would endanger his life or all that he holds dear in life. But the courage of this man - and that of so many who risk all that they have, to ensure that truth and justice are not compromised - is to be appreciated and emulated.

He was in a position where he could voice his convictions, with details and statistics, to an international audience. And he did not hesitate to speak it out boldly from within. I wonder if this would befall one is such limelight, what would be the fate of those who are hardly known outside their neighbourhood but those willing to stick out their neck for a noble cause. Such people are the real martyrs.

St Joseph, the silent

St Joseph, whose feast we celebrated yesterday reminded me of those innocent martyrs of justice... not the firebrands or the vociferous type individuals who go down fighting. Somehow there is a particular aura about him, he who hardly took a public stand or made a public appearance. But all the while making decisions in which he was not to be seen, heard or remembered.

It is really hard and difficult to be one is such days as ours... yet one is challenged by St Joseph (again silently) to be so, so that through us God and His glory may shine through.

Another aspect that flashed my mind yesterday was the decision St Joseph made to stand by Mary, initially was a very difficult and obscure choice. For us to read that he 'dreamt', is quite dramatic. But who among is willing to follow a dream, especially if it jeopardizes all that we have build up for ourselves. So this dream and vision and all is fine, but the decision was ultimately his and for that we revere him!

St Joseph, pray for us!

St Joseph and acceptance

Somehow the idea of St Joseph being a martyr was not fitting well with my understanding of him... yet I am sure he had his share of woes! I remember sharing this thought with some of my oratory youngsters about Joseph and Mary, way back in 2000 (while I was in Nashik). What if the angel Gabriel appeared to a young couple and revealed to them what he revealed to Joseph and Mary two thousand years ago? Would they be so receptive? What would be their reaction? I still remember the look on the faces of my youngsters when I placed before them this supposition!!

For St Joseph to live all his life knowing that Jesus is not 'his' son and that Mary was not really 'his', would have been a real torment. But Joseph never compromised on his commitment and affection to either of them. I believe this was genuine and total. Now this is possible only if St Joseph accepted the fact stated above whole heartedly and with no ill feelings. Had he at any moment doubted or failed to accept this fact, life would have been miserable for him. But it wasn't!! He was totally at home that 'his' own were never 'his' alone! This acceptance brought about the best of him.

And by the way, Fr TV was fooling at table this morning: If St Joseph were to have lived today, he would have been behind the bars for marrying a minor! (Mary was believed to be only 14 when she married St Joseph!). (The picture is one of my favourite work of art in the Provincial house... and it is a mosaic in the Chapel).

Martyrdom vs Suicide

The feast of St Stephen for me is a very strong reminder of the delicate balance between martyrdom and suicide. I have often asked myself this question: Is martyrdom about standing for truth or for God? Is it about an idea/concept or a person? Which is greater fidelity: to a principle or a person? I believe, adherence to a principle can always change. For example, a terrorist or a fanatic is convinced about the 'truth' he is willing to die (or kill) for. That is truth for him. On the other hand, placing one's trust in persons too is very deceptive. I know of several people who believed their mentors to be 'gods'. But when they see their 'gods' commit a grievous crime, all their world crumbles before their eyes. Where then, does one place his trust and confidence in? What can one vouch for, even to the extent of valuing it above one's own life? It is when one sees in another person the truth that cannot be denied. It is the willingness to die for that person AND the truth he or she embodies. That is martyrdom. In that sense perhaps even human right activists who suffer and are killed can be called martyrs. They see that human beings are embodiments of values and dignity. As long as they fight for a value and the dignity in a person and are willing to see them as one, life is worth living or giving up!

Thich Quang Duc

This was one of the several moving images sent to me by Fr Koshy today. This one is of Thich Quang Duc, the Buddhist Priest in Southern Vietnam, who on June 11, 1963 burned himself protesting the government's torture policy against Priests. It is said that Thich Quang Duc never made a sound or moved while he was burning. Gosh! What strength to stay still while being burnt!! A couple of mosquito bites during supper were enough to disturb and irritate me for hours and here is one who never even moved a bit while being reduced to ashes. Though I do not really approve of this 'suicide' I salute his will power. It is reported that even after cremating him later (whatever was left of his body), only his heart remained intact.