"Personal" Communication

You never know whose life you touch, when, how and to what extent - merely by something you say or do or don't say or miss out on! I realised this when late last night, after having read of some unrest in Koraput district of Orissa, sent an sms to our confrere working there. This morning I got a call from him. He was emotionally touched by this simple gesture of mine, just inquiring if things were OK with him, amidst the tension and violence around the place. He told me that this is the first communication he received in months. I was surprised, and asked him if he didn't receive the Provincial circular and the other smses I sent around after Fr Benji's death and regarding his funeral. He replied, that he did receive them all. But none which made him still feel wanted or part of the family, especially by his own confreres!

God be praised, for you never know...

Power and position

Here's something from Fr Joshtrom from his experience and stay in Europe:
A Salesian confrere telling the audience at the occasion of the installation of a Provincial who took charge a second time: "To be the Provincial the first time is tragic enough. But to be a Provincial the second time is sheer carelessness!"That's Fr Joshtrom (on the right) receiving the first copy of the Memoirs of the Oratory (an abridged version, in English, of the original autobiography of Don Bosco). The book is the handiwork of Fr John Lens.... one of the many!!

Work machine!

Working in the office is a very nagging job. Not that the work itself is boring or taxing but in the long run, people tend to take you for what you do - not what you are!! Today I felt quite hurt when one of my own confrere calls me up to ask for some help. Only then I realised that some call up only when they want me to do some work for them. Well that is understood - and acceptable too, but I also believe we can make things a bit more personal by sending a note after the help is rendered or calling up just to say 'Thank you!'.

Religious: Signs of exaggeration!

Post Vatican II, the idea that the religious life is a state of perfection (above that of lay state of life) gave way to a balanced notion of Christian life and living, especially through the Lumen Gentium. This morning's meditation talk by Fr Dominic Veliath was very insightful in this regard. Here's the summary of his reflection on religious life and its relevance:

As religious we are called to be 'SIGNS' ... signs of exaggeration, of commitment, of happiness. We are called to live life noticeably, that everyone sees in us the path to sanctity (holiness) to which all are called. If we too live our life in an ordinary way, (or worse still, giving scandal) then what is the point in being a religious? Here in comes the aspect of commitment. People see in our lifestyle a 'special breed' hell bent on LIVING the gospel and its values; not merely as an impressive once-in-a-way presentation but as a joyful and total choice. And an important sign to check our fulfillment in being signs of exaggeration and commitment is our 'happiness meter'!

Thanks Fr Dominic!

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.

Faith, hope and charity: vehicle stolen!

This afternoon I was in for a rude shock: our driver called up from the city to say that the four-wheeler, he took to run some errands and do some purchasing, was MISSING!! He had the presence of mind to complain to the nearest police station and then all the confusion began. Our initial hope was that it was towed away by the traffic police van for wrong parking. But nothing of that kind happened. The vehicle was indeed gone! Running up and around the police station, trying to reach the driver (he had left the mobile in the vehicle itself!), contacting different people if they could track the mobile or the phone sim card... Luckily the Police Station SI was a very courteous guy. He and his staff did attend to our request and were cooperative. They did not seem lax or indifferent at least.

Anyway at this moment, optimism is something I'm struggling to find the meaning of! Faith... I have very little of it! Yet I hope, we get it back. And charity, oh boy, what generosity to offer a Chevorlet (Tavera) in charity! But truly I really loved that vehicle!

What is the price I am paying?

The theme of yesterday's movie is still fresh in my mind. Somehow it is haunting me. To add to my woes I hear this quote of Mother Teresa: A sacrifice to be real must cost, must hurt, must empty ourselves.

I'm wondering and searching as to what have I sacrificed? Why is it that I am feeling so comfortable? Is it because all is rosy and I've nothing to give - meaning nothing to offer. If so, what is the meaning of me being a Salesian?

Education, change and a movie

I spent the afternoon in a very useful manner: watching the movie The Freedom Writers. There are many lessons one - especially a teacher / formator / educator - can learn from this movie. The one that struck me was the perseverance of the teacher... but this perseverance comes at a great price! I liked that particular conversation between the Principal (Ms Margaret) and Ms Gruwell. That part when Ms G is told to 'educate' the students, teach them discipline, not anything more, because they do not want to be educated. I think that's when the Ms G really becomes someone more than a classroom teacher. Imagine she taking up two other jobs so that she can earn some extra bit for her students... the misunderstandings with the other staff and management... then there is her own personal life crumbling down when her husband files for a divorce. Great risks cost. Those willing to make a difference have to pay a price. Change does not come free and easy. But great are those who are willing to pay the price.

Being on the formation staff I can very well understand the feelings and things going on in Ms Margaret's head. All very right and noble... but I too have to realise that education is more than just discipline, rules, respect for the teacher, obedience, formal lessons, classes... It means being able to touch the lives of students and making them believe that they can change and they can bring about a change for the better. It means becoming part of their life, not just the classroom. It means helping them become all that they can be. And what's the role of the formator in this process? Just being a facilitator, inspirer, encourager, challenger, a model... not the centre figure of their lives but a catalyst.

Politics and goodness

There is much talk and paper-ink (read Rajdeep Sardesai's blog) about YSR, the CM of Andhra Pradesh who was killed in a helicopter crash two days ago (along with four others). What surprised me and shocked me - besides the tragic death - was the response of quite a few on the internet. Most of the comments and responses to the internet news were all so abusive and spiteful, that I had to reread the news item if it really was that of the death of YSR. YSR was no big saint. Far from it, he was a seasoned politician who came up the hard way - even using muscle power. As someone stated, he was indeed a bandit ... but a benevolent bandit. Whatever be the case, to speak ill of a dead person, that too is such derogatory terms, speaks ill not of the deceased but of the one penning those few lines. In my understanding, no politician is above corruption and scandal. All have their share of past or present to hide. But perhaps good to see if those who benefit from his/her administration outnumber those to whom he has caused pain. If that is a rather good surplus then s/he has done well.

Getting around with kids

Last night I accidentally came across the compilation of humourous anecdotes and quotes by Fr Lens. Of the two or more pages that I glanced through, he's what I liked best:

Come children, says mother, time for lunch. Put off the TV, so that those people also can go for lunch!

Mariadas is one whom I admire for his ways of getting children to do what he wants them to do. Dealing with them, is all a matter of putting things in a manner that appeals to them. Once they see it, as something worth doing, then there's no way one can prevent them from doing that. Fellows like me, are still to master that art!!