Hidden pitfalls of ministry

Moses as the leader of the Israelites, leading them from Egypt to the Promised land, is a typical pastor, the parish priest, the minister, the religious!  He feels called by the Lord, empowered by Him to take charge of the people, even though he is no better than any other of those who is being led by him, has his own cupboard full of skeletons and memories which he has to constantly battle, sandwiched between Yahweh and the people, at the receiving end of the people's ire and moaning... and of course, he is human.

However, he also typically suffers the same drawback that most of us priests and religious suffer from.  He feels the burden of being the leader.  He pleads Yahweh to let him go or let him die because he cannot take it anymore.  He feels crushed under the complaints of the people and feels that he has not done enough.  He thinks he has failed them.  He easily forgets that it is God who is in-charge.  He is called to lead the people, not to be their saviour.  Quite comfortably he gets into the saddle to think that he is the one who is to do everything and that if he didn't or couldn't, the whole work is going to fail.

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!  

Garden in bloom

Two shots of the Salesian Gardens in bloom.

The first and only gladiola... In the background are the numerous Clematis Princess Diana and in the basket hanging above are some pink Petunia flowers - I actually found a small stem of it on the pavement in Chertsey about two weeks ago!  I planted the stem and not only has it taken root, it has started flowering!

The Heartsease too has multiplied.  In the backdrop is the blue balloon flower and the pink flower is called the Himalayan Jasmine (which I'm sure is not the real name!).  But I'm glad for the 'unknown' plant/flower because when I first saw it, it was almost dead.  Even after replanting it and taking great care it never showed any sings of growth. Was stagnant!  Since it did not deteriorate, I was hopeful.  And now it has started to flower!  Great!

Am happy to see all the work in the garden bloom into such fantastic colours and lively plants.  But then I also realize that most of these are all growing by themselves.  I really didn't plant them, nor did I take any extra care.  So will gladly settle for being a co-creator than the master of the garden!  Photograph them? Yes, that's me!  

Flashes of radiance

Our relationship with those around is quite strange, especially with those we relate most and intimately.  Most often their presence and their role in our life is taken for granted.  It seems that it is normal or the way it is supposed to be.  However, when that person is no more present in our life then we begin to see the huge crater left in our life and we realize that what was 'normal' or 'usual' was not so.  It was because of the other person's presence and constant support.  Some are lucky to realize this in their lifetime and begin to value the other person more than before.  Not that the person is now exalted to the heavens but we then slowly get used to a higher level of relationship, at a deeper level. Soon even this becomes 'normal'.  That's how things work with us mortals.  And every once in a way there is a sudden glimmer of light and we see things differently.

Today is the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.  The apostles were with Jesus all along, listening to his teachings and living with him.  However, the event on the mountain shows Jesus in a new light.  The apostles now see something more special in Jesus.  But soon even that 'special' becomes 'normal'.  Nothing bad or evil in it.  All that we can really hope and look forward to is those quick moments of insight.  Those flashes of radiance which transform all we ever know of those around us.... and they abound!

May we more willingly and often see the radiance of God shine through those around us.

Painting by Raphael

Devil in a bush

A strange name for a lovely flower... 'Love in a mist' or 'Devil in a bush' (Nigella damascene)

One more at Chertsey

Today Fr Kevin joined our community as a new member for the year ahead.  Most probably there will also be another confrere joining us in another month.  That would make our community grow upto 7 (plus the two at Cowley).  Fr Kevin is going to be the chaplain at the school for the sixth form.

Use less

A creative advert...

As it was...

Fr George Williams, one of the former provincials of GBR and the Regional of the earlier, English speaking region, used to say this at the end of the retreats.

After this whole week of retreat you all will say 'Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit' and the following week it will be 'as it was in the beginning!'

Interesting summary of a typical retreat and the thereafter! 

In a pub

Imagine a priest in his cassock going to a bar or a even a restaurant in India...!  Any burglar can loot the whole place because everyone would be staring at the priest!  Not so in Europe.  Pubs are a place of socialising and even priests and religious visit it often, sometimes in their clerical dress.  And everyone is fine, beginning with the priests themselves.

I personally still find it odd.  That's certainly because I have a totally different image of pubs and drinking, even if it is 'just beer'.  So when I read this following trending news article on BBC, I almost fell off my chair laughing: Apology to Cardiff priests...

Pehli taarikh (First of the month)

It suddenly occurred to me that years ago when we were kids at home, Papa used to very faithfully tune into the radio on the first of every month at 7 am to listen to this particular song or jingle (I don't remember if they played the whole song or only part of it) on All India Radio.  One of those lovely old tunes and old memories!

Invariably there was great excitement on the first of every month, in anticipation of the salary...