Primary Option and the following options

How does one know what one's basic choices or goals in life are?  Is there any way in which one can find out if at all one has made a preliminary option for something in life?

I think there is.  One merely needs to find out what one spends most of one's amount of time, energy, talent, resources and oneself on.  That clearly will indicate both: whether the person has a greater purpose in life (for if he does not, then all his minor options will be hotch-potch) and what that is (because, all his minor choices will more or less be in that direction). 

Reconsidering our Primary choice

Among the many things I come to realize every once a while, here's something that is dawning on me lately. Perhaps I might have learnt of this in other forms earlier!

Sometimes we formators and more so students (formees) carry along with us - and thereby live accordingly - a notion that doing all things right makes one a good religious, a good Salesian.  Or even if one or two things are done excellently well, the rest can be give a go-by.  But certainly don't find myself agreeing to that.  To be an artist one does not have to be a Salesian but to be a Salesian you've got to be more than a mere artist.  To be a good basketball player one surely does not need to join the Salesian congregation - much less, continue as one! But to be a Salesian, playing basketball alone, however good one might, does not suffice.  I remember well now, something from the movie Patch Adams:

To be a doctor does not merely mean delaying death, but improving the quality of life. 

So I'm asking myself, what if someone is an expert in something and something only, but lacks the other, higher, better purposes in life or more especially, is not even willing to strive to see the possibility of the existence of such higher purposes...leave alone work towards them?  Frankly, he needs to reconsider his choice of being a Salesian! 

Tugboats: A Bicentenary Initiative

As part of bicentenary of Don Bosco's birth, Br Manu came up with this good idea of bringing forth a sort of short publication (online/pdf format) for private circulation.  So the first issue is out.  Anyone willing to have a glance can shoot off an email to Manu (manunsdb@yahoo.com).  The title of the publication is TUGBOATS.

CONGRATULATIONS to Manu for his initiative and brave effort!

Something that I'd like some to dwell upon - myself included, but perhaps at a later stage than the prejudiced mind that I dwell in currently - is the following:

Is this bicentenary celebration (and such similar programmes) an overflow of our love and commitment to God and young people, or a glossy substitute to camouflage the decline or lack of it? 

Or

Is this initiative (and such as this) a genuine expression of our gratitude for Don Bosco and service of the young, or a desperate attempt to enliven our Salesian charism which somehow seems to have lost its sheen, down the ages? 

Change: for better or for worse?

The past couple of days I've spent in bed recuperating from a bout of fever and headache, have been quite soothing.  I spent time looking back at my life here in Karunapuram for the past two months or so. The one thing that I cannot overlook and which others - who've known and seen me earlier - too have brought to my notice is the fact that I've mellowed down - very very much.  I've become much sober than my earlier innings here.  Call it age, wisdom, laziness, mid-life crisis, time, experience... whatever!

I would credit it to two factors: My stay in Kondadaba for four years and secondly the circumstances here in the community.  From effecting a change by going guns-blazing to a slow seasoned one, it has been a long journey for me - but certainly not an easy one.  Add to that the circumstantial factors that made the former approach absolutely redundant or meaningless.  Now which of these methods will prove more effective, only time will tell.

In all of this one thing that I cannot undermine is the necessity of my physical and meaningful presence in the community, especially with the Brothers.  I certainly need to do more in this most important area. 

Pope Francis in Korea

Came across something very apt and meaningful about Pope Francis. It was in the context of his current visit to Korea.  The Vatican radio ran this short note about his trip there (read it here). It concludes citing Pope Francis short trip via the high-speed train... because, he'd "never been on a high-speed train before"

And anyway, he added, it gave him the chance "to be with everyone else". You might think he'd have had enough of "everyone else" by now - but then he wouldn't be Pope Francis, would he? 

Liturgical music and singing

Here's a nice piece on liturgical singing - or rather, the dearth of it! We need more singing

While at Kondadaba, the Brothers, over the years - if not out of conviction, at least out of compulsion - learnt that liturgical singing is not synonymous with 'noise-making'; or that music does not necessarily mean loud blaring music which drowns the singing altogether; or that liturgy is meaningless without brand new hymns - even if they are sung only by a couple of members in the choir.

The case is not very different from our Brothers here. Music is not music, unless it is blasted; music is not music if not heard by everyone, even if it is at the cost of the singing; what is more important is the keyboard and tabala and all possible musical instruments, while the singing itself is the last on the list of priorities.

Liturgical music is basically an ACCOMPANIMENT for the singing, and singing itself is a form of prayer - certainly not a performance.

Peter, Jesus and the 'boats'

The gospel of today, speaking of Jesus and Peter taking a walk on the waters offers rich insights into human psychology.  Basically I believe Jesus is calling us to have the courage to leave the comfort of our 'boats' and dare walk with Him.  The point to be noted is that it is we (Peter) who 'crave' to get out of the boat and onto the water.  Jesus merely confirms his desire by inviting him ... and most importantly, assures him of His presence.

I imagine a scene where Peter dares to get out of the boat but instead of going towards Jesus takes off in the opposite direction. And perhaps when sinking, for whatever reasons, calls on the Lord only to find the Lord on the other side of the boat... and therefore the moan (by Peter), "Oh, He always seems so far from me!"

In another scene, I imagine, Peter sinking and Jesus in the meantime busy helping someone else from 'another boat' get above the waters.  So the groan: "Oh, He always has time for everyone else except me!"  

John Vianney

Often St Vianney is cited as a precedent of permitting one without some basic intelligence to continue his priestly formation and get ordained. I beg to differ.  I believe that a certain minimal standard of intellectual ability is a MUST for a candidate to Priesthood or Religious life.  That does not mean that studies are the only criterion by which a candidate is to be judged as fit or unfit for consecrated life.

It should be noted that though Vianney lacked a 'brilliant mind' he made up for it with a determined effort.  Though asked to discontinue his studies and seminary life, he returned and sweated it out at his desk to secure at least the minimal marks required.

And then for those who claim that intellectual standards are non-significant for Priestly / Religious life, I suggest that when they do get ordained or make their perpetual profession, they better be ready to go the 'remote' and 'most unwanted places' for ministry... after all, Vianney did that, didn't he??... that too joyfully and poured out his heart and soul there.  And if the latter is not acceptable, neither is the former! 

The God-debate

Compared to the group of students in Kondadaba, the students here at Karunapuram are more diverse in their thought.  Well, it is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage - viewed from the Professor's perspective. Brothers at Kondadaba were more homogeneous in their thoughts.  Moreover, theirs was a more naive faith, a belief that was very 'rustic' and based entirely on sermons that they were fed on till now.  Students here are more 'rebellious' in their thought - may not be in belief, though.  I fear, that in the presence of such outspoken and 'rationalistic' students those of the sober type get lost.  They may prefer to confine themselves in the cocoon of their 'petty Scriptural faith' rather than be drawn into the turbulence of such God-debate!

There are some, however, who basically want to argue - no matter what the point is, their stance is basically to challenge it!  Very many prefer to remain as bystanders or spectators, either because they find this whole 'God-debate' futile or they treat it as 'yet another subject to tide over'.  Some are naturally involved and inquisitive. A few remain on the borders peeping in when convenient and then retiring to their 'safe heaven' when the heat is too much.  However, I wish all take notes during these discussions and reflect.  For most, this whole exercise of reflecting on God begins and end with the bell and the classroom!  

Talking aloud to myself

Today's turn of events in the community were quite 'sinister'! I had sensed there was something in the offing when it was announced that the Provincial would be here for a couple of days to 'meet and talk to the Brothers'.  However, I did not think it would be this.  However, the 'transition' seems to happen smoothly - at least the announcement.  The rest, as things unfold.  All in all, while thinking of the confrere concerned, I'm reminded of a statement...

It was a sad and somber funeral... with the body still breathing! 

Another revelation:  I was told that if I were to replace him, it would have been worse!  Well, that's not very encouraging to hear from some higher up.