What if Judas did not betray Jesus?

I thought Thankachan was only fooling when he said today was 'Spy Wednesday'... anyway...! I do not know who is the spy, Thankachan or Judas? However, looks like poor Judas is made to carry the whole blame! Even Jesus speaks very crudely about him. Of course, to 'breed' a traitor is always painful but I would (only in retrospect) ask this question: What if Judas did not betray Jesus? Would Jesus have still been crucified? I fear the answer is 'Yes'! It only happened to be that Judas was the one who politically betrayed him. Given the socio-political situation of the existing period, those baying for the blood of Jesus would have somehow got rid of him - by hook or by crook.

Motivation and playing it big!

Much is said and debated about motivation in our formation circles. While I believe that basic motivation needs to be clarified and adhered to come what may, I also agree with what Zig Ziglar had to say about motivation: “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”

Here is one quote that I remember hearing in the movie Coach Carter.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.

Irony

I chanced upon this site a while ago and I had a good laugh... here's one for sample!

see more Friends of Irony

Of power cuts and failures...

Last evening there was this Earth Day power saving campaign... well, not very much of a possibility in my place as there is normally a power cut the same time!! But I greatly appreciate the effort. However power cuts have long since begun and as the summer gets hotter and hotter, it will be worse too... officially there is a two hour power cut here (better than 7 or 9 hours of cut in some other communities/areas of the Province) and for the rest of the time there is power failure!!

Formation, planning and involvement

During the meeting of the Commission heads this morning, Fr TD John made an interesting observation/comment, when discussing the Formation Educative Pastoral Plan (EPP). Starting from the premise that formation is a personal responsibility, he asked how much of a say do the brothers in initial formation have in the plan at hand, especially since most of it pertains to their state of formation?

Rightly so, I think they too ought to have a say, in what is being planned for their formation. Not mere to include their opinion, but to provide them with an added opportunity to own up the plans and understand the rationale behind the plan.

About Muniguda, Orissa

Something fresh about our new mission station in Muniguda, Orissa: Last night Aquinas called me and informed me about the persuasive try of the CRPF to secure our campus as their headquarters. Over the last few days he says there have been several visitors, most of whom have been army personnel or related officers trying to see if we were willing to relocate. Aquinas says that for a radius of 30 kms, there is no other secure place for the otherwise naxal populated area of that region. The existing structures - though vandalised and broken - are the main reason for the CRPF's interest in our place. (The Church and residence that was vandalised during the communal riots in Dec. 2008... still left untouched.)

Women on Jesus' last journey

This morning as I partook in the Way of the Cross with the staff of the Provincial house, a thought that struck me was the number of women who accompanied Jesus and had compassion on Him outnumbered the number of men who were with Jesus. I am sure there were more men than women at any given point of the last journey of Jesus from the point of condemnation to the Calvary. Yet only at two stations of the cross we see men 'standing by Jesus': Simon of Cyrene and John the apostle (at the foot of the cross). In a way one could include Pilate too... in a generous inclusion. But see the number of times women come out in support of Jesus: His mother Mary (along the way, at the foot of the cross till his burial), Veronica who breaks the security cordon and wipes Jesus' face, the women of Jerusalem whom Jesus comforts, Mary Magdalene who is believed to be with Mother Mary, all along.

And what triggered this thought?... participating in the way of the cross, there were practically all the lady staff members, in comparison to the just three or four men!! My experience over the years has always confirmed this belief of mine: Women have a stronger and deeper sense of the Divine than men... so too is their faith!

Of age, death and dying!

Fr PE Abraham has been quite upset since the time he heard of the death of his companion Fr CP Dominic, this morning. He was eager to attend his funeral which has been scheduled for 8 am tomorrow at Tirpattur. What irks him and he feels most about is not exactly his death, but the timing of his funeral. He says, why is it that they want to 'bury him so early'. Why not wait for some of more people to pay their last respects? Just because he is not famous why hasten his funeral? These are the questions that have been bothering him. I was dead against his travelling for the funeral and did everything possible to prevent him from going for it. I did not want him to spoil his delicate health travelling all over the place, all the while. Just a while ago he added, "I wanted to go for his funeral. He was a good man. However he did not have many friends."

I am sure with every companion of his passing away, he feels the pangs of his own imminent death. Also the fear of who will attend (or will not attend) his funeral is something he has in mind. Looking at him, I feel his is thinking absurd. But I hope and pray, I'd be able to think as freely and 'broadly' as I think now, when I reach his age... 82! (That is, if I survive that long!!)

Interactive days ahead

Since yesterday, I've been on the phone trying to contact different categories of people for the upcoming school. Yesterday it was those who had applied for the post of the teaching staff. Most of them I had to tell them that their application was not found favourable and hence as I put off the phone I wished them all the best for the next year or elsewhere. Some were so excited at receiving the call that they just could not hear what I was saying and were here in my office within an hour, with all possible certificates and documents... ready for the interview!! I had to tenderly tell them the sad news. Some accepted the rejection immediately and were quite fine with it. Others had to be explained why their application was not found favourable.

This morning it was a string of calls to the parents who had submitted the application form for their children (admission to classes LKG and I). Naturally they were all happy about the information ... except some of them, when they heard that they had to also pay the fees on the date of registration (April 19-21, 2010).

Well, so far so good. Let's see how things turn out in the next few weeks. Much ought to be done in the coming days. Furthermore, there is also the Secretarial work with regard to the renewal and perpetual profession, transfers and changes!

A peep into the future!

I received the first hint of my continuance (or discontinuance) from the present responsibility yesterday evening. At first, I wasn't sure how to respond but after a while, I was at ease. Little said, the better! However there was no point in wasting time thinking about it or guessing it. In another three weeks, it will be in black and white. For now, am still enjoying the present!