Double Masks?

A couple of days ago I met the students to ease out some tensions in the community.  One of the Brothers, quite worked up already by the discussion in progress, very seriously stated that 'double masks should be avoided'.  Well, now that I more or less know what they mean and what they talk, I was able to understand what he was telling.  He wanted to make a point that, in the community no one should wear masks or be double faced.  In his eagerness to express, he merged the two forms (double faced and wearing masks) to say, "Double masks."

Anyway, point taken!

Knowing or not knowing...?

During the birth of Jesus, there were the shepherds who did not know what was happening around them.  They had no clue of what it was all about. Yet they were curious and their curiosity led them to the manger.

The three wise kings, on the other hand, knew of things to come and were eagerly looking forward to know it.  They knew well that they did not know enough.  So when they got the hint or the clue, they were more than eager to know it fully well. So they landed at the manger.

As for the rest of the population, they did not know and neither did they want to know.  They were blissfully ignorant and perfectly contented in their state of ignorance.  The question I asked myself this morning during the Mass: Which category do I belong to?  

English Vinglish

I watched the hindi movie English Vinglish today (directed by Gauri Shinde).  Overall it is a welcome movie: refreshing and of course offering good insights and values (self-esteem and family ties).

The movie traces the life and struggle of a simple Indian housewife, Sashi (well essayed by Sridevi), to earn respect and dignity which is being denied to her by her own family, only for the reason that she is not proficient in English.  She is called upon by her sister for her niece's wedding to New York and once there secretly enrolls herself for a four-week of English class. Constantly helping her is her second niece, Radha (lively performance by Priya Anand).

The climax is wherein she delivers a simple but heartfelt speech in English addressing the newly married about how to keep alive a marital relationship, especially when the bond is weak or any one of the partners try the one-man-up attitude. This really shocks the rather unsupportive husband and the indignant elder daughter out of their stupor; but as one deeply in love with her family, Sashi holds no grudges or anger.

However, there are a few exaggerations (call them, 'cinematic liberties'): the resentment of the daughter towards the mother who does not know English, the cold attitude of the husband towards his wife, the ease with which a rather coy Indian woman gets used to the American scenario... Of course, anyone - even one who does not know Sridevi - would right away know that she knows English much better than she pretends not to know!

All these are more or less overshadowed by the steady focus on the story, simple music, good supporting cast, the decent presentation of family values (especially understanding, concern and sacrifice) ... One of the main values presented is the need to trust oneself (Towards the end, Sashi thanks one of her classmates for helping her love herself).

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2181931/reviews-33

Faith ...

We commenced the year of faith yesterday... I'm not sure, if I have... anyway, I was reading up a couple of articles ushering in this special occasion.  While reading it, I was reminded of a particular quote I read sometime ago somewhere. It reads thus:

A bird sitting on the branch of a tree is not afraid by the shaking branch, because the bird trusts not the branch but its wings. 

True enough, what trust I build within me is much more strengthening than anything that I can rely on outside of me.  Comparing the quote and the context, I was thinking, where is Jesus for me? Within or without?  

Don Bosco's idea of presence

More than ever, I've learnt the most memorable lesson in Salesian assistance this year... and the paradox of it is that I've learnt it through my own absence!  Don Bosco, in that sense, was a true formator.  He knew what would be some of the most essential elements involved in educating a youngster to values and higher things of life.  Thus he qualified, presence of the formator (educator), amidst the students and that too a very loving and concerned one, as one of the most essential ingredients of a healthy formation ambiance.

While physical absence or prolonged disappearance from the community is of no evident help, mere physical presence with no sense of the ground reality is of no use either.  Add to that several other little but important things like 'a word in the ear', reason (as one of the triple elements of the Preventive system), teaching by example, consistency in expectations from the pupils... and formation becomes truly an enriching experience for all involved.  

Starting afresh, healing wounds...

After much delay and scouting for opportunities, I grabbed time this evening to meet the Brothers to access and quash some of the simmering going on in the community which have held the whole peaceful and joyful ambiance at ransom. I sincerely prayed that the best for the whole community may emerge, rather than me saving my skin or in the process of reconciling the staff and the students, widen the rift.  Now that we collectively spoke it out, I'm glad that at least it is out in the open and - hopefully - not festering anymore within.

If I were to summarise the sharing of the students it is basically a difficulty of adjusting to the new staff. Add to that some gossip and loose talk and we have a perfect recipe for a 'civil war'.  I began the discussion by speaking as a member of the community - not as Dean or Administrator - who is adversely affected by the vitiated atmosphere prevailing in the community for the past few weeks.  On my part I also acknowledged that my physical absence from the community and the resulting lack of involvement in the community affairs had indeed been a very negative influence on the community.

We ended on a note, wherein I exhorted - I explicitly told that I am not demanding or expecting, just a fraternal call - to personally take responsibility for what I do and believe in rather than wait for some models.  The final decision we collectively arrived at - or I helped us arrive at - was to individually do what I can do best, not just for myself but for the whole community as well and that too not just with today or this moment in mind, but the future.  

Where was Lazarus?

While completing my set of reflections for the coming year for the Claretian Tear Off calendar, I was caught badly by this question I asked myself: Where was Lazarus when Jesus was crucified?  No Gospel or any other tradition makes any reference to Lazarus post his meal with Jesus (after Jesus raises him up).  What exactly did Lazarus do during the whole passion of Jesus?  Did he at all appear on the scene or hide himself, for the gospel of John (12: 11) clearly states that the Jews were after his blood too?

I really would like to know what happened to the character or more precisely what and where was he during the crucial moments of Jesus?  

To be vs to live

Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy. 

Abraham Joshua Heschel

Where to... ?

I went to the hospital to 'finish up' with this lump under my ear, which has been irritating me for quite a while now. Unfortunately it wasn't to be.  The doctor who was supposed to operate upon me fell sick!  I'd have to report again on Wednesday, hopefully. 

While at the lab, and later, waiting for nearly two hours, I could not but help watch several people come to the hospital with bag and baggage.  Most of them looked like they were from Orissa. The bag and baggage suggested that they were prepared to spend some time in town because most probably their loved ones were or would be in the hospital for some time.  The immediate thought that crossed my mind: what of those who cannot afford to come all the way from Orissa and cough up the hefty hospital bills?  

What if the one who was to do the surgery on me (mine being the most ridiculous of all!) was to do some urgent operation for one of these? Would they also end up waiting for a couple of days?  I surely had my vehicle to get me back home and a home that was atleast reachable within two hours of travel.  What of these people? Where'd they go?

Corruption within!

Last week, I walked into the Income Tax officer's office and with my head hung in shame, handed him an envelope of the bribe that the auditor negotiated with him from the initial Rs 50,000/- that he asked for.  I ultimately handed him half what he had initially asked for.  I was told by all those with experience and wisdom to cough it up rather than resist - even if there was nothing wrong or faulty on our part.  However, I showed no sign of pleasure or esteem for him during my short stay in his office.  He did try to make some small talk, but I was in no mood for it.

Time and again, there is this strong temptation to curse him (of course silently).  But somehow the feeling he will get what he deserves (whatever it be, good or bad) even without me uttering a curse, consoles me and prevents me from letting him meddle with my peace.