What am I full of?

 A lady good at teaching Maths is bound to be approached by the students for clarifications and assistance.  Certainly the number of students approaching her for tuition in Maths speaks of her capacity and talent. To such a lady no one is going to ask her to pack a kilo of pickle for travel abroad! (Unless she does that as well - in which case, sooner or later, the number of people approaching her for either tuitions or pickle will indicate what she is excelling at).  

Point of the story: what one is good at, or perceived to be good at, is that people approach one for.  

So the question: what am I good at as a religious, as a Salesian?  If young people don't find me good for anything, then why would they approach me?  Does anyone approach me asking for prayers, after all, I'm a man of the cloth and spirituality is supposed to be my specialty. So if no one asks me for prayers, they don't perceive me to be good at it. 

One thing I know that most people approach us Salesians, for: funds and financial aid!  That says something!  We have projected ourselves (can't squarely blame people for perceiving us all by themselves) as rich.  The distinction/clarification I wish to make is between people approaching us for funds for education or for education?  Do they see in me a teacher, an educator, or merely an ATM, albeit for education - for which they approach someone else. 

Influenced and altered

 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 held 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 or anyone who allow themselves to be “influenced and altered” by the ways of the world! We may end up losing the “Song of our Faith!”

[Reflection by Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS]

Self-display through communication

All of us have our own likes and dislikes.  Each one of us is certainly entitled to our own opinion.  We also have the liberty to express our opinion or likes and dislikes.  These opinions and expressions do not necessarily define our identity.  But there is a certain line you do not cross, especially in communicating ones own opinions or likes or dislikes.  Once you cross that line, you are no more expressing your opinion but revealing your character.  

No more is it about the other or that which I intend to speak about, that aspect outside of myself; it is now I who am on display! It is myself that I am exposing unabashedly and totally unconsciously. And all the while think that it is the other that I am speaking about. 

Son of a carpenter

'What part of Joseph's personality did Jesus imbibe or exhibit?', was the question that Fr Kevin began his homily with, this morning during the Mass of St Joseph, the worker. 

• Was it his relational skills which saw him relate to practically everyone in his surrounding with the same respect and dignity?  
• Was it his workmanship which saw him be dedicated to what he considered was his primary duty?
• Was it his ability in recognizing that he is not the only one at work in the society and hence form constructive alliances and build a network of hard working people from different backgrounds?
• Was it his attitude towards the working class of the society, whom he treated with equal dignity and compassion as any intellectual or civil servant?  
• Was it his concern and affection for the women who followed him or met him during his journeys and visits to the different regions of Israel?  
• Was it his calm and serene nature that helped him stay focused and polite, even when the whole crowd was against him? 
• Was it his down to earth use of imageries in communicating the richness of the Kingdom to his listeners? 
• Was it his grace to be able to mingle and be at home with the hoi polloi of the society, even though he was the son of God?
• Was it his words and phrases and accent and gestures? 
• Was it his dressing sense, his hairstyle, food habits and 
• Was it his knowledge of farming and fishing which he clearly used lavishly in his various anecdotes and parables (surely much more than carpentry!)? 

Matthew 13: 55 expresses the amazement of those who witness Jesus' ministry and ask: "Isn't he the carpenter's son?..."

Expressing oneself

One of the advantages of social media, besides anonymity, is the possibility to express oneself without adhering to theories of scientific truth and error or abiding by public/popular/actual rhetoric.  In other words, anyone can express oneself without being felt compelled by the accepted or prevalent norm.  One is merely expressing oneself.  There is no demand for logic, reason or arguments to support one's statement(s) - at least one need not oblige. 

In one sense this can be a very dangerous endeavour.  One can deny total responsibility for what one has just stated and offer no explanation or sensible justification for either.  That can lead to serious personality disorders which affect not just the individual concerned but all those associated with him or her. 

On the other hand, it can be seen as a psychological letting off of steam.  A sort of therapy wherein one merely expresses one's opinion.  Not necessarily a judgement or conclusion.  A catharsis. 

All the same the balance or the line dividing the two can at times be very thin and slippery.   

This is me

The following song from the movie The Greatest Showman, titled 'This is me' is a good motivational song with a catchy tune too.  A song for celebrating individuality, being proud of who and what we are, no matter what others think and how they categorize me. 

Each one of us has our own inadequacies.  However, only those most insecure will make others feel insecure.  Only those who humbly embrace one's own weaknesses, lets others shine through their drawbacks... and in doing so, helps both... 

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down 
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out 
I am brave, I am bruised 
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me 
Look out 'cause here I come 
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum 
I'm not scared to be seen 
I make no apologies, this is me

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.  

Human nature

In the Israelites journey 'back' from Egypt to the Israel does sketch an interesting portrait of human nature.  While in Egypt they were moaning and grumbling but under their breath, for fear of Pharoah and his soldiers whips.  But in the desert they openly grumbled.  They knew Moses did not have a whip.  While as slaves in Egypt they had no freedom, had to slog it out the whole day;  but in the desert all that they can complain about is food!  They had no work, no hard labour but all that they can think of is 'onions and food of Egypt'!!  Really?

Basic premise: we grumble, even if we have everything;  even if we have to grumble of nothing!  

Caricaturing opponents

On treatment of opponents, here's a quote of Nietzsche (Will to Power, § 374)

Every society has the tendency to reduce its opponents to caricatures-at least in imagination-and, as it were, to starve them. Such a caricature is, e.g., our "criminal." Within the aristocratic Roman order of values, the Jew was reduced to a caricature. Among artists, the "philistine and bourgeois" become caricatures; among the pious, the godless; among aristocrats, the man of the people. Among immoralists it is the moralist: Plato, for example, becomes a caricature in my hands. 

Choice

Watch this interesting animated story and the inspiring message (narrated by Sadhguru)

It is all about the choice we make...

Uncompromising Commitment

You cannot play with the animal within you without becoming wholly animal, play with falsehood without forfeiting the right to the truth, play with cruelty without losing sensitivity of mind. He who would keep his garden clean does not reserve a plot for weeds. 

- Waymarks by Dag Hammarskjold

Purpose of education

Choices

Speaking of choices, i couldn't but notice the plethora of choices my own nephew and niece have at home.  I say this in comparison with my boys at DBNJ Ramanthapur.  Not that the boys at Ramanthapur had no choices absolutely, but in very many matters my nephew and niece have abundant choices. Be it in matter of food, clothing, recreation and toys or in more profound things as education.

Mummy would ask them individually practically before every meal, what they wanted for meals.  Very often half way through her preparation of the asked menu, a different 'order' would reach the kitchen - that too loud and clear from the comfort of the living room with the TV remote in hand and eyes glued to the TV!  Compare that with my boys at Ramanthapur: they get what is served! They hardly have a say.  Almost a similar tale about other things as well.

So I wonder, which is better: having multiple options to choose from or limited options?  Or perhaps the question should be what makes one better: Choices or Choosing?  Of course the act of choosing itself is a great teacher.

Preventing theft vs Preventing becoming robbers

After two grueling days of doing all sorts of things and thoughts and loosing my peace of mind, and sleep and even temper over the growing tendency of theft and thieving by the boys, among themselves, tonight's goodnight was the climax.  Not that it is now over! It is just a beginning but a collective effort now.  Not individuals working for different purposes and ends but collectively arriving at a decision to curb theft.

While I had a discussion with all the boys (all 110 of them) and most of the caretakers, I kept saying to myself that the goal is not merely to prevent theft or robbery, but to help boys stay clear from becoming robbers!  As the instances of theft having been rising, I also realised that the 'new' thieves caught were once victims.  They now felt forced to 'join the gangs' or wanted to take revenge!  Therefore I was keen on forming character than merely preventing some random acts.

The easiest solution would be to lock it all up and intensify the scrutiny and "policing" but that's only a prevention of an act not the formation of character.  My focus therefore was on appealing to the conscience while ensuring that certain procedures and policies are in place.

The blame game

Initially everyone cribs about how there is no freedom and no possibility of free thinking, leave alone doing things creatively.  Sooner or later a time comes when even if one has the freedom to perform a task as per one's discretion, one does not exercise it, leaving the decision making to someone else, merely to avoid any responsibility and the added thrill of blaming someone else. Add to that the 'right' to continue grumbling about the lack of freedom!

Excellence, a habit

... connected to perseverance, priorities and finally values. 

Personal Charisma

Fr Teresio Bosco, writing the book on Don Bosco, by the same title, makes an interesting comment somewhere in the middle of his book (p. 140 to be exact).  While referring to the times of the wandering oratory and Don Bosco's struggle to find a place where he could meet and animate the hundreds of boys who would flock to him on Sundays and feastdays, he says:

The centre of the Oratory was not the institution of the parish church, but the person of Don Bosco with his continuing, stimulating presence. The rapport was personal, not institutional. 

This statement speaks a lot about the true reason for the boys presence.

I know not if he would - or we could - say the same once Don Bosco got his own place or established his institution(s) at Valdocco and later, all over the world.  'Returning to Don Bosco' would also mean this: regaining the charisma of the person and not the institution!

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!)

Dare say...

Here are the concluding words of Fr Pascual Chavez, the Rector Major, as a conclusion to his report of the Congregation and perhaps his parting message to the Congregation and an indication for his soon to be elected successor...

We need to learn the art of dying and the art of living, letting go of what ought to die, so that the new can germinate, blossom and bear fruit. This is the work of the Spirit, who removes the heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh, renewing the face of the earth. We have to raise the stakes and dare to say openly and clearly who we are, what we want and what we are asking for, without lessening our demands or the needs we face.

I really would like myself and my congregation, every Province to take that call seriously, especially that part of '... dare to say openly and clearly who we are, what we want and what we are asking for...'

Try growing up

I was watching part of Chariots of Fire this evening and was quite amused by the passion driving two young men for the same purpose. And just before I stopped the movie for the day, was the following conversation.  The context is Abrahams looses to Eric Liddelle and he cannot reconcile himself to this fact.  He's speaking with his girlfriend Sybil.

Abrahams (in childish desperation): I just don't know what to do!
Sybil: Try growing up!

That really is quite a challenge one must offer oneself once in a while, especially when faced with failures and difficulties.  As it is said, the quality of a man is tested not when he is successful but what one does when faced with failures.