Day before yesterday I started learning flash! Yeah, sitting and learning! That's something I haven't done since long and I realise how difficult it is - I haven't touched it again, neither yesterday nor today. Confreres, several of them, have been telling me that it is difficult to 'sit and study' after a certain age. Not that you grow disinterested but you get interested and absorbed into so many things. In the meantime that 'sitting' and 'studying' cannot be done together!
Another effect was there to see this morning when I began to pen a letter - yeah, pen and not type! My hand would not move. So used to typing that I had to do some finger and palm exercise to complete just a page of letter! I wonder how on earth will I write my MA exams - whenever I write them!
I remember enjoying sitting at my desk and pouring over books and reading material for hours. And now here I am, dreading to open the stack of dissertation papers of the Karunapuram Brothers.
But no easy way, I'm hell-bent on doing it the hard way. Luckily I have some time this month. I ought to force myself to 'sitting' AND 'studying'. Happy learning!
06 February 2009
Bible and prisoners... why?
This morning I was very distracted by the first reading during the Mass. Somehow the Bible seems to have a soft corner for 'prisoners'. Every time there is a mention of the underprivileged and those in need, prisoners also are included. I basically understand the inclusion of widows, orphans, strangers and the poor. But why prisoners?
The former groups of people are at a mode of life not of their own making. It so happened that life is unfair to them and hence they are left to fend for themselves and make a survival. But people don't end up in the prison because of others doings - certainly not the majority! After all, they people are put in prison for some wrong doing. It is as a direct consequence of what they have done.... not what somebody has done for which they are the innocent sufferers.
Of course there are those unjustly accused and languishing in the prison. Their case I understand. But what of those who deserve to be in prison? Surely they cannot be equated to the poor, widowed, orphaned and sick?
The former groups of people are at a mode of life not of their own making. It so happened that life is unfair to them and hence they are left to fend for themselves and make a survival. But people don't end up in the prison because of others doings - certainly not the majority! After all, they people are put in prison for some wrong doing. It is as a direct consequence of what they have done.... not what somebody has done for which they are the innocent sufferers.
Of course there are those unjustly accused and languishing in the prison. Their case I understand. But what of those who deserve to be in prison? Surely they cannot be equated to the poor, widowed, orphaned and sick?
05 February 2009
God and suffering
I was going through some of my old collection of readings and came across extracts from Harold Kushner's book When Bad Things Happen to Good People.
The background to this book is well known. Reading the book ,then, I found it quite engaging. What kept me reading the book was that it was not offering some pious suggestions but presenting possible rational explanations and also a theological outlook. That was gripping. Or else I would have read it may be only for spiritual reading - I don't read books for spiritual reading, so I'd have never read the book itself!
Here's one of the foremost arguments by Kushner, in defence of God and as a possible rationale for suffering and evil - once again, a little pious but certainly not irrational!
The background to this book is well known. Reading the book ,then, I found it quite engaging. What kept me reading the book was that it was not offering some pious suggestions but presenting possible rational explanations and also a theological outlook. That was gripping. Or else I would have read it may be only for spiritual reading - I don't read books for spiritual reading, so I'd have never read the book itself!
Here's one of the foremost arguments by Kushner, in defence of God and as a possible rationale for suffering and evil - once again, a little pious but certainly not irrational!
At any given moment, life may seem unfair and innocent people may appear to be suffering. But if we wait long enough, we believe, we will see the righteousness of God’s plan emerge. If you plant grass seed and a palm tree seed on the same day, the grass will start to sprout sooner. At that point, a person who knew nothing about nature might predict that the grass would ultimately grow to be higher and stronger than the palm tree, since it was growing faster. But the experienced observer would know that eventually the grass would wither and the palm tree grow tall and straight and last for more than a generation. … in the long run they will see the wicked wither...
04 February 2009
Getting out of the way...
This morning's meditation was on the self. Basically on something I read in Tony D'Mello's book The Prayer of the Frog (Vol. 1).
Said a world famous violinist about his success in playing Beethoven's Violin Concerto: "I have splendid music, a splendid violin and a splendid bow. All I need to do is bring them together and get out of the way."
I realised most of our problems and misunderstandings in dealing with people at work is basically this: we would like to be the centre of all that goes on. The whole enterprise is to be somebody! And for that we end up doing whatever it takes, even if it is making someone else into a nobody! That's the danger in the ambitious pathway of becoming somebody.
Said a world famous violinist about his success in playing Beethoven's Violin Concerto: "I have splendid music, a splendid violin and a splendid bow. All I need to do is bring them together and get out of the way."
I realised most of our problems and misunderstandings in dealing with people at work is basically this: we would like to be the centre of all that goes on. The whole enterprise is to be somebody! And for that we end up doing whatever it takes, even if it is making someone else into a nobody! That's the danger in the ambitious pathway of becoming somebody.
03 February 2009
Learning to say 'no'
Saying 'no' is something I'm slowly learning. Yesterday I said a straight 'no' to a confrere who was already rejoicing as though the task at hand is over, all while still describing me his need. His shock when I said 'no' was evident in his voice. Believe me, he was here today to meet me in person!!
I stuck to my 'no' stand - I do have valid and genuine reasons to say so. Anyhow, I directed as to how best to do it himself or mentioned other people who could help him but resisted taking it upon myself. Somehow at the end, I could see the other person understanding my reasons - I didn't really explain them at all - for this 'no' of mine.
I remember Fr Lens saying to me long time ago when still an aspirant in Gunadala. There are two ways of helping people: you do it for them or you help them do it themselves. He concluded, the latter is better. Yesterday and today have been great lessons in the same. Let's see what awaits me tomorrow!
I stuck to my 'no' stand - I do have valid and genuine reasons to say so. Anyhow, I directed as to how best to do it himself or mentioned other people who could help him but resisted taking it upon myself. Somehow at the end, I could see the other person understanding my reasons - I didn't really explain them at all - for this 'no' of mine.
I remember Fr Lens saying to me long time ago when still an aspirant in Gunadala. There are two ways of helping people: you do it for them or you help them do it themselves. He concluded, the latter is better. Yesterday and today have been great lessons in the same. Let's see what awaits me tomorrow!
Brooms and the cell phone
The way we have advanced is really astounding. The latest and the most phenomenal growth - or increase, one can call it - is in the number of cell phone users. Everyone, beginning from the Manager of the company to the sweeper, has one - if not two!!
I bought some soft brooms today for the house. And after making the payment to the fellow who had come home to sell the brooms, I wrote out a voucher for him to sign. First he told me he does not know to sign, by the time I wrote out the voucher, he was ready to sign! In the meantime I watched him fiddle with his cell phone from the corner of my eye. I said to myself, what days, even a broom seller who is totally illiterate has a cell phone. Soon he was beside me ready to 'sign'. I handed him the pen and he diligently set out to 'draw' his name, looking at his cell phone.
I was amazed at his ability to 'write'! He certainly was no literate - our conversation after this revealed it. Yet he knew to make the most of what he had in his hands - brooms and the cell phone! Later in the day I received a mail in Italian. This time I was illiterate! But I was prepared. I merely copied the text, pasted it in 'google translate' and clicked 'translate'. Bingo!! I had the English version - not perfect, but very much understandable!
Now that's what I call, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush! Not necessary to have all the luxuries of the world to enjoy life. Just have the will to make the most of life and you'll have the necessary things!!
I bought some soft brooms today for the house. And after making the payment to the fellow who had come home to sell the brooms, I wrote out a voucher for him to sign. First he told me he does not know to sign, by the time I wrote out the voucher, he was ready to sign! In the meantime I watched him fiddle with his cell phone from the corner of my eye. I said to myself, what days, even a broom seller who is totally illiterate has a cell phone. Soon he was beside me ready to 'sign'. I handed him the pen and he diligently set out to 'draw' his name, looking at his cell phone.
I was amazed at his ability to 'write'! He certainly was no literate - our conversation after this revealed it. Yet he knew to make the most of what he had in his hands - brooms and the cell phone! Later in the day I received a mail in Italian. This time I was illiterate! But I was prepared. I merely copied the text, pasted it in 'google translate' and clicked 'translate'. Bingo!! I had the English version - not perfect, but very much understandable!
Now that's what I call, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush! Not necessary to have all the luxuries of the world to enjoy life. Just have the will to make the most of life and you'll have the necessary things!!
Faith and courage
The woman with the hemorrhage, in today's Gospel, is a character worth studying. She must surely have either been a very devout Jew or an atheist - that's until she met Jesus. But more than the person of Jesus, it is the woman's faith that intrigues me. To have such a faith - which subsequently leads her to touch Jesus' cloak - and then also have the courage (or fear) to acknowledge it before the crowd.... not knowing what the reaction of Jesus would be. What would the crowd say? How would they react? Her whole focus was to 'just touch His cloak'. She never would have imagined that Jesus would realise it. What a shock she must have received when Jesus turned around looking for the person who touched his cloak. But then when Jesus fails to identify the person, she throws herself before Him. Again she surrenders!
Another strange idea that comes to my mind: A strong faith can 'extract' graces! Well, Jesus never granted her the grace of healing. She 'got' it from His abundance, on the strength of her faith. It is like the idea of the ancient Indians who performed the religious rituals, convinced that the result lay in the performance and had nothing much to do with the Divine one offering the grace.
Anyway, hats off to this simple but strong woman.
Another strange idea that comes to my mind: A strong faith can 'extract' graces! Well, Jesus never granted her the grace of healing. She 'got' it from His abundance, on the strength of her faith. It is like the idea of the ancient Indians who performed the religious rituals, convinced that the result lay in the performance and had nothing much to do with the Divine one offering the grace.Anyway, hats off to this simple but strong woman.
02 February 2009
Decision making
Today was quite a day. Tempted severely to fall for the 'religious sanctity' of which I mentioned sometime ago (religious instead of liberating people, bind them to oneself), I gracefully and I should say, painfully held back myself.
Speaking about this with Fr TD John, he said something interesting. We prefer to carry the child Jesus - cute, small, chubby, cuddly! Not many are willing to carry the grown up Jesus, for with him comes the cross - and that's heavy!!
I could have solved today's issue by one simply decision of mine. But I chose to help the other, make the decision. It was easier said than done. But now, at the end of the day, I feel happy at that decision of mine to let the person concerned arrive at a conclusion and stand by it.
Growth comes not because I take decisions and make resolutions; growth happens when we stand by those decisions and resolutions. That is the real challenge: to live and grow through the decisions and conclusions we arrive at. If need be bear the insults, soak the glory, wade through misunderstandings and if wrong, be willing to make amends too. It's all part of the game called 'living'.
Speaking about this with Fr TD John, he said something interesting. We prefer to carry the child Jesus - cute, small, chubby, cuddly! Not many are willing to carry the grown up Jesus, for with him comes the cross - and that's heavy!!
I could have solved today's issue by one simply decision of mine. But I chose to help the other, make the decision. It was easier said than done. But now, at the end of the day, I feel happy at that decision of mine to let the person concerned arrive at a conclusion and stand by it.
Growth comes not because I take decisions and make resolutions; growth happens when we stand by those decisions and resolutions. That is the real challenge: to live and grow through the decisions and conclusions we arrive at. If need be bear the insults, soak the glory, wade through misunderstandings and if wrong, be willing to make amends too. It's all part of the game called 'living'.
01 February 2009
Inspiration, convictions... and family
Just reflecting on how best could we help the children and young people prepare for such auspicious and rich events like First Communion, I realise, the greatest possible 'instruction' ought to be our (especially of the seniors) joyful living out of the same gifts for which we prepare others. No doubt, the family (parents) retains the privilege of laying the foundation and the skeleton of the edifice. But there is also the extended 'family' - friends, mentors, teachers, models...The influence of this group too is great.
Looking back in my life I see the hand of so many people, besides my Papa and Mummy, who have in a way added, supported, modified, challenged and corrected my views, opinions, convictions and attitudes. After all, I am a sum of all these!
Looking back in my life I see the hand of so many people, besides my Papa and Mummy, who have in a way added, supported, modified, challenged and corrected my views, opinions, convictions and attitudes. After all, I am a sum of all these!
First Holy Communion
Attending Mass this morning and watching the eight brats who received the first communion today was interesting. It was hard to believe that these brats - real 'terror kids' - who even yesterday evening were 'at their best', were all dressed up in white, holding candles and in line to receive Communion!! The consolation was that they acted and behaved in their natural way - naughty to the core!!
Watching them and saying to myself, 'No change!', I questioned myself, as to how much of a real difference does the Eucharist make for me? I realise I am no better than them. At least in their innocence they are true...
Anyway, God bless them... and me too, to understand this great treasure we receive everyday!
Watching them and saying to myself, 'No change!', I questioned myself, as to how much of a real difference does the Eucharist make for me? I realise I am no better than them. At least in their innocence they are true...
Anyway, God bless them... and me too, to understand this great treasure we receive everyday!
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