SHTC EXPERIENCES TRANSITUS

On third of October, 2015 the SHTC Community celebrated the feast of the darling saint of the Church St. Francis of Assisi. The Liturgical participation was beautifully marked by the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Rev Fr James Poonthurutil, the Rector of the Mathias House and concelebrated by other fathers of the Community. Deacon Vincent Muchahary gave an inspiring homily drawing inspiration from the living example of Francis of Assisi and connected it to the Readings of the day. He emphasized that, like Francis all of us are invited and exhorted by God to live a holy life and thus renew oneself, radiating the joy of becoming the instruments of peace and love, like that of Francis who was indeed God’s timely intervention in the life of the Church.  

The day was enveloped in grace by the Brothers of OFM by leading the Community into Transitus experience of Francis. It was a moving experience for the community to participate and meditate over the sufferings and the death of Francis during the prayer service (transitus). It was indeed a heavenly experience for all the community members of SHTC celebrating the feast of St Francis of Assisi, who is an icon of inspiration to emulate his holiness and serenity. Thus the brothers of OFM animated and led the community to have a transitus experience.   

INDEPENDENCE DAY SPEECH 2015

“The Great dreams of great dreamers always transcend” says late former president, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam a visionary, a dreamer and a teacher. I dedicate my speech to him.  

            A pleasant morning dear esteemed members of the staff and students. Today we raise our minds and hearts to God, as we complete another glorious year of 69^th Independence day. It is said that, before you eat a fruit think about the one who put the seed. Therefore, today it is fitting for us to remember the freedom fighters who laid their lives shedding blood and sweat for a noble cause. It marks the end of an unfortunate era and unveils the beginning of another era of hope and freedom. And what we are all enjoying, the fruit of their labor.   

Let me remind you about what is India Today? Well 1. India is the land that gave birth to the world prominent religions and cultures and the light of Asia, the Lord Buddha. 2. Indus civilization is the oldest civilization that speaks of human civilization. 3. It is a nation with one billion and more people, the greatest of all power possible in the world. 4. 1500 years age India taught the world how to count, Aryabhatta. 5. Sir C.V. Raman am Indian physicist discovered inelastic scattering of photons in liquids. 6. 90 percent of the computers in the world run on a chip made by an Indian by name Vinod Dham. 7. It is Jagadish Bose an Indian who invented Wireless Communication.   

A. India is the cradle of the human race, human speech and human history. She is the grandmother of tradition and legends. Says Mark Twain.  

B. Seeing the mathematicians of India Albert Einstein made a remark, “The world owes to the Indians who taught us how to count.”

One side of the coin is not the whole coin. So the other side of the coin is yet know. Friends, having said that, I am reminded of one of my teachers words that; there are answers available, but we have to ask the right questions and hard questions. Right now the questions that tickle my mind are, With these group of bueauracrates can India develop? Can Ambanis and Tatas develop a country? Did freedom fighters dreamt about India as the 2^nd largest in population having the 2^nd biggest Slum in Asia? Did they dream about India in which the Education and Health departments are most corrupt? Or where a party promises corruption free Gov. and falters with doubled scams and scandals when in power?  T.V and News Channels busy 24 X 7 with breaking news on politicians and corruption and you know what I mean.

So, all that glitters in India is not gold. If so, what is the criteria to say that India is developed. Let me ask you your perspectives regarding this. 1……2……..3……….

According to Dr APJ Kalam, India is developed when each one of us learn through Education, Culture and Religion to transform oneself from receiving from the nation and learn to give/giving. (when Kalam visited DB St Anthony College, 2013)

I am convinced that developed India 2020 vision of Abdul Kalam our late former president, is a national challenge for which every citizen of India should ask in what way one can contribute to this noble dream not to keep it as a dream come true but to strive to say a dream came true. May we the educators of the young and committed for a cause transform ourselves and our societies from Immorality, Indifference, Individualism, Irresponsibility and Ignorance. Only the dead fish flow in the water. May we, not go like the dead fish after the new trends like web world, celebrities and the culture of temporary. Let us wipe away from our minds and heart Mediocrity that paralyses the entire nation creating a culture of dishonesty and false popularity. This is my wish for the current generation.  

Dear fathers and brothers I have nothing new to tell expect what our Elders who say before we wake up the World, first let us wake up from our dogmatic and disgusted slumber of superficiality and convenience and to commit ourselves to learn to watch our footsteps.    

The dream Gandhiji had of an independent India? He had said, “I will work for an India where the poorest of the poor feel that this is their country. An India where all communities live in friendship and harmony.”  That is the Swaraj that Mahatma dreamt about.

We will be remembered only if we give to our younger generation a prosperous, peaceful and safe India, working as one force the nation and its leaders not to plan but organise.

So, I put the ball in your court to think before you say mera bharat mahan...

Jai Hind.

Kuble...

naresh neelam,sdb

shtc,shillong...

15th August,2015

YOUTH CENTRES: A FACE OF DON BOSCO

It was on Sunday morning, I happened to meet great Fr Snigi Lingdo who is working tirelessly as confessor and writing Biblical commentaries in Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong. Obviously, the chat was all about Salesian Mission in North East India. He said ‘Salesians transformed North East India, and he commented that when it comes to Youth Centers, there is still a room for improvement in North East India. This made me to think about the purpose of Don Bosco for opening youth centers and apostolic schools.  

While talking to Fr Snigi, I thought about the Salesian work and the mission in South India and India at large. It is very enlightening why Don Bosco did not open boarding and schools at first. Instead he opened the Youth Centres and Oratories. As a result Voldcco was one of the effective places of all his initiatives for young people of his times. And all of us know what it means to be having a Voldocco Experience; just like having an experience joy like a child in its mother’s arms.

Therefore, the need of Salesian India today is to return to the call of Don Bosco for Youth Movements, Youth Centres and Apostolic Schools. All these centers are meant to make the young people as the object of our Mission. Therefore, Don Bosco had foreseen the young who would live in midst of both good and evil. And therefore our task is to set them free from such dangers and thus win their soul for God in our Youth Centers and Youth Groups and Movements.

I had the privilege of visiting few youth centers and apostolic schools, like, Aluvwa, Vennela, Mathunga and BIRDY where young people are made comfortable and accepted despite and in spite of all that they are and all that they are not. These youth centers are very active and vibrant serving the young people even today. Thus the Salesians are productive and effective. I can happily say that these places are just like the place of Voldocco where thousands of young people throb into for new friendships and meaningfulness in their life. That is exactly what Voldocco meant for them. Thus every salesian community become a home, a play ground and a church where the young people find true freedom of expression. If so all our communities begin to produce saints like Dominic Savio and Michael Magone. My only wish and prayer during this Bicentenary Birth of our Founder is that by his powerful intercession all of us think twice about our Commitment to save the souls.

The challenge today is, how far are we capable, productive, faithful and successful with our Salesian work? I feel we somehow have reached a stage where the youth work became a challenge and a dream come true. I wish I am wrong making this premise. But we cannot ignore the fact.

Few Questions to Reflect...

1. In my presence do young people feel comfortable to have Voldcco Experience?

2. Do our Institutions make a ripple effect in the lives of the young people or are we just functioning like NGOs.

3. Am I a key in my community to welcome and enter into the Heart of the young.

                        

The Bi-Centinary Year of the Birth of Don Bosco (1815-2015)

St. John Bosco is one of the most daring and creative saints that the Church has ever produced. He was popular during 19^th century for his creative mission that he embarked in the Church with the slogan “da mihi animas cetera tolle” So much so he was known as the spiritual insight of a mystic, visionary and humble pioneer of the youth work during 19^th century. He was the manifestation of enthusiasm and charming personality. He was well appreciated and admired by the people of his time and even now. Therefore, we can very well say that he was much ahead of his times in thought and deed. He started his mission with a little boy, with Sign of the Cross and Hail Mary in the sacristy in Turin on the feast of the Immaculate Conception (08^th December-1841). The dream at the age of nine made him rather unclear about the mission that he would take up. It was mother Mary as his teacher and guide made all things clear to him.

Historical Context as the Key for the Mission: It was revolution period where there was no peace in Italy and surroundings of Piedmont. It was the time of terrible violence and war and so there was no haven of peace for the people. Many people spent days and nights with mere meals and left alone leaving their beloved family members dead. Therefore, it was the time of a great danger that no one could ever dare to take care of young people to support them.

At this time of historical problem where young people left like the sheep without the shepherd, exposed to all sorts of worldly dangers. There came a little boy St John Bosco, from a humble family yet profound in nature and grace who would become as the father and friend of youth. So, we believe very fervently that he was sent by God to support the young at risk and to give them work, bread and heaven.

After the Ordination, once Johny Bosco took a walk early in the morning, in the streets of Turin, in his black cassock and black hat on his head. He happened to pass through some of the isolated streets of Turin. From far away he saw a factory building where some youngsters gathered around the factory waiting for work, and some of the youngsters were waiting to be called by the owner of the factory to work and earn. Among them only few boys were called for a day work and others were left out. By looking at that incident Don Bosco’s heart was broken seeing the wretched condition of the youngsters dressed in dilapidated clothes. At the same time he was also reminded of his dream at the age of nine; then he questioned himself, was it not my mission to save them from this danger and to bring them up in life and to make them honest citizens and good Christians in the society and thus I could save their souls. He thought for a while and started calling them one by one you…come with me I will give you work, hai... you come, I will find some job for you, and you two can come, and all can come I will search for a job”.

Thus Don Bosco called each boy to come with him to win his soul and turn his unfortunate into fortunate. He looked at them compassionately and called the other to follow him. Later on children started to gather on Sunday around him. This was the turning point for his mission. He did not wait for the best time to start his mission. This reminds me of a quote: “Instead of waiting for things to be better we can decide to make them better”, that is what Don Bosco had done those days. At that time it was scandal for a priest to play with the boys on the streets, but Don Bosco did it, which was not expected of a priest. I personally believe that a person who stands aside makes the difference.   

It is mentioned in the Biographical Memories of Don Bosco, that he learnt 24 trades to teach his oratory boys, like acrobat, music, choir, shoe making, press, book binding, band etc….. It was his passion lead him to win the souls of young boys like Dominic Savio, Mickey Magone and etc., Don Bosco managed to produce saints from his place. It is often said and talked among religious and Christian families that many of the 19^th century saints lived together and played together in Don Bosco’s Oratory. Don Bosco used to say “don’t keep the boys in the chapel for a long time.” For Don Bosco’s Holiness consists in ‘cheerfulness’, like playing, running, jumping, shouting in the ground (Run, Jump, Sing but do not sin). Don Bosco fully depended on Divine –Providence,  all of his life, that is why God blessed him abundantly; those who wait on the Lord shall mount up with wings like eagles:(Isaiah:40:31) This is what happened  to Don  Bosco.

Don Bosco was lucid in his thoughts, and tenacious in his theological convictions. He was always cheerful, lively and affable, and from him exuded positive energy. He had unflinching faith in God, tender devotion to Mother Mary and a close connectivity to the people around him especially to whom he dedicated his life (YOUNG). Don Bosco said boldly to his boys that; “for you i study. for you i work, for you i am even ready to die”. He left the great legacy to the Salesian Family. Teresio Bosco sdb, in his book ‘in his footsteps’ wrote that Don Bosco acquired his sense of God and Charity from his mother, Mamma Margaret, the Saintly mother of Don Bosco, the Infant Salesian congregation was rocked in the cradle of Mamma Margaret.

Don Bosco became a successful religious trailblazer because he kept prayer as the centre of all his activities. His urge for his sons and daughters so called Salesians, FMA and all other Salesian family members, could be if I were to be…………. here and now; I would do the discos on the weekends to win the hearts and souls of the youngsters for God, and I urge you to go to the places where the young people are. Dare yourself to be different, dare to face the challenges in the situated context and mission. Let us step out from our comfortable zones, because God will not ask our abilities or disabilities but our availability. Therefore, dare to step out and say I am for you God, and ready to give up my life like Don Bosco who made the world of youth better and different from what it was. That is exactly what our Rector Major invites the Salesian with the strenn 2015...Like Don Bosco, With the Young, For the Young

May we all become innovative and spirit-filled teachers and leaders like Don Bosco, May the Bi-centenary year influence us with rich charism of Don Bosco and his passion, innovativity and above all daringly work for the welfare of youth. As a Salesians and religious, let us venture into the world of discos on weekends, where youth are found, strive ourself to save souls, especially those who are in the clutches of the evil, who are in discos, pubs and bars. Don’t you see people are waiting to be called as like Jesus calling the apostles and Don Bosco calling boys on the streets.  

“DA MINI ANIMAS CHETARA TOLE” (Give me Souls and take away the Rest). Why don’t you try to go into the discos to save the souls, after all no matter where you go but saving one soul is important for God’s Kingdom. 

GRATUITOUS GOD

Bible gives a beautiful expression to understand God’s goodness and greatness. Bible summarises saying LOVE is God and God is Love. I am sure you will agree with me and with the Psalmist who exclaims God is everything, the Alpha and the Omega. Down the history we see saints and sages living such an austere life just as an expression of their gratitude to God. Theologically we know God’s limitlessness, omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence. All these three attributes of God are extension of God’s goodness. It is said that when we share the joy doubles. That is exactly what I feel about the generosity of God. All that we enjoy and cherish are not because we deserve, but by His sheer love, mercy and grace. The difference between the generosity of Divine and the human is immense. For, God gives us all that we need before we ask and in return he doesn’t expect anything from us unlike human generosity. Be it a mother, father, teacher or any social worker, everything is centred on some sort of selfishness. On the contrary God’s love is so much that He even gave up his son as a ransom for many. God’s nature is to give and give and unfortunately our nature is to get and forget.

 That is exactly what we here in Genesis; God created everything and made us as the crown of Creation.

Friends, given the question who is God for me, I would answer; our God is gratuitous and benevolent God. For, without His generosity I believe I am nothing. Each moment of my life is of his sheer generosity. I would like to express His generosity in terms of Mercy, Love and Providence. Mother Theresa, the saint of the poor says, “yesterday was his Mercy, Today is his Love and tomorrow will be his Providence.” Thus we completely depend on the benevolence of God. Mother Mary is the best example as she signs the Maginficat raising her voice saying “my soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour.” King David sang Psalms and danced out of joy and gratitude to God for the wonders done in his life.

God’s magnanimity is so great that nothing goes unnoticed from his sight; not even the microscopic creatures. The creator is ever kind and generous although his creatures are forgetful and ungrateful despite making us the agents and the crown of creation. Dear friends at this juncture, my humble exhortation is to have the heart of mother Mary, St Francis of Assisi and Mother Theresa to raise our voice to sing Maginificat through our deeds and words. Thus we can join with his master pieces; flowers, trees, mountains, rivers, animals, sky and the earth including our fellow brothers and sisters thanking God for the wonders we see. Thus we make the age old slogan “Think green and live green” a reality.

Jesus himself sets a beautiful example as he was humble and grateful from womb to the tomb. “Learn from me for I am humble and gentle” are the golden words of Jesus and his prayer ‘Our Father’ is the joyful invitation to thank God at every moment of our life. Thus we make our life meaningful to us and to the others as we live our mission glorifying God’s goodness. St Irenius says, ‘Man/Woman who is fully alive is the glory of God.’

New face of Life...in Shillong...

As I Begin my new face of life (intense theological studies) in Shillong SHTC I thank God for all his mercy in the past, love in the present and His providence in the future. I do thank my parents, family members, relatives, all the superiors, formators, friends and all those who directly or indirectly who did contribute for my growth and for entering into my life's journey. May God continue to bless us all.

So, now I BEGIN an intense formation life in Shillong. It's my joy to come over here and continue my theological studies. I had a great desire to come to North East India and see the life, culture and the faith of the locals. I thank God for the opportunity given.

I just completed few days of my stay over north east INDIA, and am rather happy and impressed about everything.

the other things and experiences i shall recount soon...in detail.....

St Thomas an Ardent Disciple of Jesus..

Faith Entails Action

Happy Feast of St Thomas the Apostle
We know that it is through THOMAS that India became a land of Faith and Faithful. Although he was not present when Risen Jesus appeared to his fellow disciples yet when the right time came he expresses his ardent desire to see and touch the Lord. That desire was not out of shallow doubt but from his nothingness to the fullness of God. May Thomas pray and intercede for India and all the faithful....

Patience is Virtue: Forms Convictions...

The great sayings are always nice to hear from others and even nice to quote them at particular context. Suppose if such words were to come to us from others and perhaps emerge within us after much struggle and perseverance. Vow it would be a great feeling and solace at the depths of our heart. This is exactly what I AM feeling after spending a couple of days working in the provincial house where there are people of different temperaments and attitudes. All the same I HAD to do the work in the office and finish the work at submit it to the person in charge. It's not so nice at the initial time but later as we work and go ahead with patience and perseverance what then left is a great feeling as if we have enthroned after a big achievement.

This great feeling also tells me that God has a plan for us and always for our good and to the best. For we enter into peoples lives either to learn from them or to teach them.

Form convictions that stand as an address to your conduct. 

A Heart for the Poor is No more...

Today afternoon our Beloved Fr C. Thomas a veteran Salesian breathed his last at Vellore C.M.C Hospital, in Tamilnadu. He is a great Salesian whose Heart ever longs for the poor and the needy. I had the privilege of living with this saint for one year and few months. He is simple and kind to all. We all love HIM....Dear Fr C.Thomas...R.I.P

From the little experience that i had with him...what i can say about him is....

He is a perfect example for all the young Salesians to live poor, obedient and chaste. His heart is so large that he goes out to any extent to help the poor and needy. All our brothers  personally and collectively are witnesses for his  service and generosity. We the province of INH Hyderabad miss him and specially the poor and the abandoned, for whom he is an another Don Bosco.

An empty tomb speaks for itself

Easter reminds us the joy of Resurrection of Jesus for the first time in the History of the History of Humanity. It is the holy moment of Accomplishment of a Deadly Commitment for the Salvation of Humanity. What a fortunate crowd are we?. However it is not by our credit that we are the partners of Resurrection. Rather by HIS Holy Passion and Death on the Deadly Cross that he won Life for us by paying his life as a ransom.

Hence, Let us not identify Christ with His works, miracles and actions. If so we are no less then the people who sought Bread from Christ; and not Christ. May this Easter help us to draw our soul to Christ of Life and not to the Bread of Christ.

                            An empty tomb speaks for itself.listen with your Heart..to understand..HIM

                                                            Happy Easter.....dear friends....

Ludwig Wittgenstein: A Linguistic Horizon

“What is the intention or aim in your philosophy? – To show the fly the way out of the fly-bottle.”

To put you into Context: Ancient Western Philosophers were so conceptual and metaphysical that they concentrated on the primordial matter and substantial form. Thus they insisted only on conceptual knowledge, and failed to clarify the problems of daily life. They had different theories on language with regard to words, sentences and reality. Contrastingly, Wittgenstein initiated the notion of language games that endowed with rules, norms and principles for the better use of language as a tool in meaningful communication. The aim of his philosophy is to find linguistic expression meaningfully.

Incarnation: Ludwig Josef Johann Wittgenstein was born Vienna, Austria on 26^th April, 1889 in a well to do family as the youngest of five brothers and three sisters; parents were Karl Wittgenstein a Jewish industrialist and mother Leopoldine Kalmus, a Catholic woman. As a boy he was passionate about engineering and aeronautics which in fact had a great influence in his thinking and philosophy. In the contemporary period his contribution to linguistic analysis was outstanding with his concepts of private language, picture theory and language games. His philosophy is so unique that he connects language and its grammar to the life and its norms.

The Advent of a Linguistic Legend: It was the threshold of the 18^th century where the invention and advancement of science and culture was rampant. It was the time of Renaissance of culture and a time of scientific revolution; where Wittgenstein was the one who initiated a trend of philosophy making Language as the object of his philosophical investigation and enquiry. He completely drowned the presumptions and presuppositions of the ancient and medieval philosophical jargon and conceptual dilemmas. Thus he set a trend where the traditional philosophy needs a therapy to heal from the metaphysical and conceptual jargons which in fact added more confusion instead of solving the problems. Therefore, his philosophy was also called as a therapeutic philosophy.  

Wittgenstein out of his quest for philosophical knowledge and learning read the philosophies of Aristotle, Plato and Spinoza and discovered that their language was imperfect with some defects and ambiguities. Therefore, for him, the function of philosophy should be clarifying the confusion created rather than adding more confusion. He introduced a new method to solve the problem by analysing sentences, and the use of words. This he called as a therapeutic method which aims to solve philosophical problems, puzzles and ambiguities. He considered philosophical problems as a mental cramp to be relieved or a knot in our thinking to be united. He argued that such problems arise due to the misinterpretation of the forms of language.

The Works to His Credit: Wittgenstein is popular for his enormous writings and philosophical works. To his credit there are two major works which influenced the entire linguistic philosophy. His early work is known as the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (1921) and the later part of his work is known as Philosophical Investigations (1949). And all the important works published after his posthumous books are Philosophical Grammar, Blue and Brown Books, Writings on Philosophy of Psychology and On Certainty. Interestingly when he was asked to publish his works he was rather unwilling. Because he thought, despite his intellectual calibre, he feared that he would be misunderstood. This was one of the reasons why he was unwilling to publish his works. Once, just a day before his death he told his Friend Mr Bevan, that he had wonderful life and wished to communicate the same to all his friends. Finally this great philosopher breathed his last on 29^th April, 1951 at Cambridge, England.   

His Contribution: In the linguistic analysis it is Wittgenstein who contributed the most through his philosophical and significant works. If critically analyse his philosophical journey, we see him first stepping into very negative philosophical wing while initiating a Private Language concept which itself is a wrong premise. Thus he gradually makes a path for Positivism and Analytical Philosophy while associating with some of the renowned philosophers of the 18^th Century like Schopenhauer, Russell and Moore.  

Significance:  The early Wittgenstein made language as a personal object through his concept of Private Language and Picture Theory. The emphasis of Private Language is that there cannot be anything in common but subjective. Thus he made a mistake by establishing language and feelings as subjective products of experience and knowing. Contrasting to his early premise, later Wittgenstein introduced a new way of investigating language with a new concept of words as tools in the language; where language is like a Chess game in which each pawn has meaning in a particular context in a particular move. In this context he said that words contain the potentiality of doing not only one function but many other functions just like any tool that we use for different purposes. Thus he established a descriptive method of philosophy contrasting all other theoretic, explanatory and conceptual methods of past.

 Linguistic Insights: It is fascinating to understand the linguistic insights of Wittgenstein. He said that, the phenomenon of language has been considered as the vehicle of thinking and therefore language belonged together to an inexplicable phenomenon of human life. For example, the child first learns the names of the objects or people and gradually learns to associate the names and words to the thoughts. Thus language becomes a linguistic activity that indwells thinking and learning which unveils the scope for the communal activity and mutual sharing by which communication leads to communion. Even to the post-modernism of Derrida’s concept of Deconstruction have roots in Wittgenstein’s later philosophy.  

The Ripple Effect…!

I am delighted to appreciate and acknowledge the concrete initiative of the College Staff and Students of brining out in the form of a beautiful magazine. The theme of this issue is Youth of Today: Problems and Possibilities which I feel is relevant and much debated and talked about issue in and around the world. It is a wonderful and praise worthy effort from the part of the students and the staff members who contributed informative, innovative and inspiring knowledge and wisdom coupled with their experience. Hence, I vehemently feel that their good work will certainly bear fruit like the ripple effect.

I take a beautiful image of the ripple effect precisely, to bring to everyone’s attention that how influential and contagious is one’ goodness. Mind you Evil does have the same effect. We know that, nothing is accidental, incidental, coincidental or by chance but by our CHOICE. Yes, there are problems; there are difficulties and obstacles for any noble cause. Only by meeting and beating these problems youth can reach glory and thus make sky as their limit. Believe me, such are the men and women who discovers the joy in making the problems into possibilities and difficulties into opportunities. Therefore, It’ noting but the matter of one’s perspective, attitude and disposition. With positive outlook towards people, problems and pains we make the stage to spread the ripple effect and inspire many youth. This reminds of a quote from the Bible, Having been strengthened in Christ, to strength my brothers and sisters, which the slogan of St Paul and Peter the two major pillars of the Church.

Dear readers and well wishers, I wish and hope that this humble work of our College Management, inspire you, enrich you and help  you to enhance your life for a change, for a cause and for an influence. Thus, we commit ourselves as one force for the Ripples of Effect from and for…

Thank you.

CHANGE: That Leads to Godlessness in Youth…

At the time of Jesus, the people sought for signs from God to understand the second coming of the savior. Paradoxically today’s generation seems to be looking for miracles to believe in God. This tendency postulates the absence of faith and presence of godlessness attitude. I wish I am wrong in making this premise. 

Of late I was shocked when a couple of graduate students told me that they do not believe in God. I was shocked not because they do not believe in God but what would be their reason to say this, despite years of formation and seminary life. I really wonder whether they understood what they said.

Perhaps the change of times and the change of cultures and change of belief systems could have influenced them. Let us not forget the fact that there is nothing certain except the change itself. Yes change is the only certainty. So it is the change that influences the mind of the young today. The speed of change is tremendous. Just to put you in context……Years ago the choices that my grandfather had to survive were simple things like Land, Water, Cattle and Cart, Car, T.V and Radio. But today the choices that I have…oh vow…I face a problem of choice because plenty of things at my disposal. To drink, to eat, to wear, to travel, to relate and to live…the choices are….Coco Cola, KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald, Samsung, Apple, Puma, RayBan, Reebok, fastrack, docomo, airtel, Ford, Marcedez and the hub of everything facebook, twitter, watsup and Google. Today with all the facilities, still the young face tragedy in life unlike our forefathers with minimum things. Believe me the young today is experiencing an Identity Crisis due to mishandling and manipulating the things that are at hand; which unveil a way to Godlessness, isolation and existential despair.

Once I was having a chat with one of my friends about what actually were the reasons why the young people go away from God and thus lead a Godless life that would certainly influence the others like any contagious sickness. Some of the points of our discussion about the things that lead to Godlessness today are…

Sense of Impatience: The young today have developed a tendency to seek immediate results for the efforts that they make; be it studies, work or prayer. Since they are in haste they forget the fact that these things take years to bear fruit. Today we are living in the age of touch, click, instant, fastrack, instant results, instant coffee and instant. In this age of comodification, the qualities like patience, calm and compose have become unwanted commodities. As a result we lose patience and develop aggression, irritation and temper. And we know with this character we get absolute disorientation having no standards in life. To give you an example, we know formation is not a period of time or a stage of life. But it is an ongoing process where one comes out of darkness and steps into light and grace.   

Sense of Disorientation: A life without goal and focus will be like a ship without rudder. The journey of such life becomes insipid and meaningless. There is nothing to work for and nothing to strive for in life. What the young need at this level is to discover something that they love passionately and get oriented in life’s journey. Then it becomes a dream to chase and make a reality.

Lack of Sense of Humor: It is said that “A fool laughs at others’ mistakes, and the wise laughs at one’s mistakes.” Yes, we lost the true sense of humor. It is nothing but being optimistic about oneself. Such an attitude makes one to find something good in him/her and find oneself worth appreciating even in the worst circumstances. In this regard our parents can be the best examples that we could find ever. Jesus Christ himself set a beautiful example before us where we can see his death on the cross leading us to the joy of resurrection; where a symbol of suffering becomes a signpost of resurrection.

Lack Sense of Family: If father is the head of the family; then mother is the heart of the family. In family we learn the virtue of charity. The youth today have a feeling that in family all are outdated and irrelevant. So they give least importance to the parents. They forget the fact that parents know everything about them despite what they are and what they are not. We know all great people who left the legacy in the page of history are from a good family who were obedient to the parents and to the family.

Sense of Independence: Yes, today’s young people are not in a stage to listen to other. Because they have mass media in hand that shows them all that they want and all that they need instantly. Therefore, strong sense of independence creeps into their head; which is a great paralysis of this generation. Thus they become no more the citizens of the society but the natives of the Mass Media, as an analysis described. With this attitude they conceive everyone as weak and incomplete. But they develop many fake friends in the social networks forget to make good friends who are near. Today the young have fake friendships and less good friendships. This is a tragedy in the lives of the young. Because, today they are the friends who take advantage of friendship and forget them in trouble. And finally end up seeking some psychological and spiritual counselling. 

Change: A Wake Up Time...

We know it was Heraclitus who said that the world is full of flux/change. For him change is certain and nothing else. What ever it is, what I would like to draw your attention to is that there are Christians being persecuted in the name of God. There are number of Christians being killed by the terrorists and those who perpetuate violence by their deeds and acts of unkindness. Oh God when is the end to such religious attacks of the innocent.

It is not in one corner of the world nor one corner of the country. Today religious violence is prevalent every where in the world. It has become a common phenomenon of the daily newspapers ad news channels.

Even in India in BJP's reign religious problems are becoming everyday's issues. In the name of God Reconversions, Achadin and Ghar Vapsi are just luring every non-Hindu citizen to embrace Hinduism. If not we know what would be the consequences of such behaviour. There are also cases where Christians and Muslims being reconverted into Hinduism offering money 2-5 lakhs. So, God is put in terms of money. We can sell  God and we can also buy God.

Therefore, I feel it is a high time for every person who believes Jesus is under threat. As everyday is change of yesterday but then every tomorrow arrives no yesterday promise any security to a believer.
It is time for us all to wake up and be aware of what is waiting...interns of religious violence....

It is Trust dat Builds Life...

On 18th Feb, 2015

Random Reflection from one of my students during Hermeneutics Oral Exam: He said "A bad person sees a bad person bad; because he doesn't trust the other. 
but a good person sees a bad person good; because he trusts the other." So it is TRUST that builds our Relationships, Family and Community. Beautiful....

When flora and fauna want to Propagate?

Today evening I was with my students working in the Mango Garden. While working we noticed that out of so many flowers that bloomed are down now. Most of the flowering has been withered away due to some natural conditions and situations. What ever would be the reason....I was wondering why only some trees can be planted by the seed, others by the stem and few others by the flower and the rest neither of them but by a formulae...
Have you ever thought about it? First of all they bloom, flower and bare fruits not just by their instinct and natural condition. But they do have the instinctual desires to propagate themselves and spread their roots across just like humanity strive to procreate and propagate. That's why all the trees and plants (flora and fauna) when they feel that they are going to die or perish then they start flowering and then bearing fruits. This was shared by one of the senior Salesian members of my community. I was really thrilled to know this wonderful secret of the plants and trees.