Jesus Heals the Two Blind Men

          Well, in today's Gospel Reading the Church places before us the episode where Jesus heals the two blind men who pleaded him Son of David Have pity on us/me.

         Jesus heals those two blind men because of their faith. The point that I would like to make is Why do we have eyes?  What is the purpose of sight?
A random reflection: Scripture time and again reminds us about eyes of the mind and eyes of the Heart.

       The purpose behind sight is that we may see clearly and begin to relate to our neighbors and begins. Because ultimately we are all judged on account of relationship with our neighbors and not on account of our achievements and credentials but Relationships.

For this end God have mind by which we grow in Wisdom; Heart by which we grow in Love and Life that disposes Faith in God.

Wisdom guides us to make right decisions in Life, Love enriches our life and Faith helps us to see things beyond reality. Well, Wisdom, Love and Faith make our life meaningful and happy. These three are God's blessings bestowed upon humanity that we may glorify and praise the creator of our lives.

Reflection: Let us not be blinded by our prejudices of mind, Let us not be indifferent to those in need and Let us not be hostile to those who has/have no one to care for. Let us be healed in the Wisdom and the Power of God who enables us to love, care and help our neighbor.  

Decision Making...!

         What is life? A question that has been invading in the minds of people since ages. Well, what exactly is life? It is the result of the choices that made yesterday. In life we ought to make choices that shape the life. There are plenty of choices at our disposal but then what matters most is not the about the choices but the right choices that certainly bring us laurels in life.

        It is interesting to observe how we make choices and decisions. There are people who make right decisions and there are people who make their decisions right. Where lies greatness. This is not at all our concern but then where do we belong; Making right decisions or making our decisions right. Perhaps this we may call it the road less traveled......

think over...

Lord teach us to pray...

One who prays ever never demands the other, rather his/her prayer life commands the other to pray like him/her ever...This we can see in the parable of Jesus where a rich man enters the temple and begins to magnify his prayer life saying "I spend time in prayer everyday and I give alms to the needy and I donate money to the temples etc., unlike that poor man standing at the entrance of the temple. The poor man unlike the rich man stands at the doors of the temple and expresses his unworthiness before the sight of God." Thus he pleases God than the rich man with his lengthy prayers... 
Where do you and me stand? Examine and see.... 

The Rite of Initiation and Naming Ceremony in Hindu Telugu Culture

Namakaranam and Annaprasana: In Telugu Hindu culture and tradition the naming ceremony of a baby is usually celebrated on the same day of the anna prasana (feeding the bay solid food for the first time).

Cultural Reasons and Understanding: This sanskar/ tradition/ ceremony is performed on or after the sixth or seventh month as per the gender of the child, sixth or seven months for the boy child and odd months for the girl child. This ritualistic ceremony initiates the introduction of solid food for the baby. When the baby gets solid food for the first time, Mantras are recited and pujas are offered to the various deities. It is believed that, with Annaprasana, the flaws that arise due to intake of impure food when as a foetus are removed. It is also believed that Annaprasana ceremony will help to propitiate speech. The meaning of Annaprasana is anna=rice and prasana= to enter. Annaprasana is done after the Namakaran ceremony.

The baby is given rice kheer or payasam fed with a golden ring in some temple or in the presence of a priest. From here on you can continue giving the baby solid items in small quantity. Some people believe that Annaprasana should be performed after the child's first teeth come out as this is a sure sign that he will be able to digest solid food. At the close of the function, different articles (books, fruits, toys, money etc.) are spread before the child. The baby is allowed to touch these items and it is believed that what the baby touches first will be his interest for the rest of his life.

Naming or Initiation Ceremony: The traditional ceremony of naming the baby in the Hindu way is known as the namakaran ceremony. This is a social and legal necessity and an important duty of the parents. The naming process creates a bond between the child and the rest of the family, and therefore is a highly auspicious occasion. This ceremony is usually performed on the 12th day after birth though it varies from region to region and custom to custom. The mother is specially honoured because she brought the child into the world. All the relatives and the guests who are present bless the child and offer gifts to the child and the parents. The blessings say that the child should grow into being a great person like his renowned forefathers. Though the infant, obviously, does not understand the meaning of the ceremony the parents do; and it helps them to understand the responsibility of bringing up and developing the child into a worthy human being. For others who are present it is a reassuring experience of understanding the dignity and value of human life! 

The Namkaran puja is either held at home or in a temple where the priest offers prayers to all the gods and to the Agni, the elements, and the spirits of the forefathers, and entreats them to bless and protect the child. The child`s horoscope if written is also placed in front of the image of the deity for blessings. Then the baby is placed in the father's (in some regions, maternal uncle's) lap to be blessed and then he whispers the chosen hindu name in the child's right ear, by using a betel leaf or its silver imprint, or a few leaves of kusa grass to direct the words in his ear. After the naming ritual is over, friends and relatives who have come for the ceremony bless the child and touch some honey or sugar to its lips. If the naming ceremony is not done on the 12th day, it can be done on the 101 day or on the first birthday. After the ceremony a feast is usually arranged to mark the holy occasion and vegetarian meals are prepared.

Tala neelalu theeyu Ceremony (baby’s first hair removal): Please note that Tala neelalu theeyu cermony is prescribed only boy babies but today with the changing times, it has become a practice to have the ceremony done for girl child too. A proper Tala neelalu theeyu ceremony involves three rituals of about an hour’s duration – the boy’s parents do a Ganesh puja (worship of the Hindu God Ganapati or Ganesh); a barber who shaves the child receives some honour; and a Havan (a purifying ritual with a fire ceremony) with devotional prayers known as the Ayushya Homa mantra and Arati concludes the ceremony. This is followed by a feast and the giving of presents which form the social aspect of the Mundan as a samskar. Shaving the head is termed as Ayushkarma in Sanskrit, It means enhancing the longevity or the life span of the child. Ayuh in Ayurveda also means this). The child's hair at the time of birth is not strong and the mundan ceremony ensures that hair roots are strengthened and strong hair is formed. The shaved head received Vitamin D from from exposure to sun and this has its own medicinal benefits. Little hair is left at the back known as Shikha, this is supposed to protect that part of the brain which helps in memory. The Shikha is also supposed to denote the place where, for a pious person, the soul leaves the body at the time of death. After this ceremony of Talaneelalu the boy child or the girl child is fully accepted as an entity of a society and a full-fledged member of a family. 

Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit.   --Jawaharlal Nehru

   

Nature......

I love nature and nature loves me. It is very true that when we begin love mother earth no doubt she loves us more than we love her. That is exactly what it means to say life comes from life. Nature is the perfect manifestation of God’s love for humanity. The one who is in tuned with nature will surely feel God’s grace all through and every stage of life. For he/she is completely engrossed and enveloped in Mother Earth/Nature.

Let the heavens proclaim the glory of God says the Psalmist. So, my sincere wish and prayer is that we the humanity learn to appreciate God’s master piece, the nature. If we do so I AM sure that we also begin to love ourselves and our neighbors. Thus we spread the joy of life and the radiance of God’s love for us. 

Isn’t Life Teaching…

Well, I just got up from the bed rolling over and rubbing the eyes with mixture of emotions and thoughts at both in mind and heart. However, what makes life thrilled was the object of my thoughts. Well none of us can ever get what ever we desire and dream of yet we can get something of all that we desire and dream of. This is the paradox of life. There where does the real meaning of life consist; in things, people, relationships, sex or friendships.

I presume life is much more than all these things that are only momentary and transitory. What is then not transitory and momentary.  

Well, it is life with God. Yes it is in Him that we all drive our inner meaning of life……For life comes from life and love comes from love.

God desires us all to get back to him and so our spirit as well longs for his Di

vine Touch..

PRAISE GOD @ ALL TIMES...

 I cannot but express the joy of visiting a beautiful community; where I feel God is truly present amidst you. I am an eye witness of this.

  

I thank God for the day and for His blessings that I cherished. And I thank Sr Maria through whose instrumentality God gave me this memorable opportunity to visit you. I am indeed privileged to visit and experience the joy of the community and consecrated life (spirit). I was not merely amused but inspired and (moved like the John the Baptist in the womb of the Elizabeth). Your joyful witness of the community life was inspiring indeed.  

Hence, I felt in my heart that this joy needs to be appreciated and communicated. Therefore, I pen this to tell you not merely to express my gratitude but to tell you that nothing can surpass your joy in the community and nothing can transcend your joyful witness of the Consecration and Charism. I was blessed to witness the radiance of your humble yet vibrant community...and the joy of living.

Another important aspect of your life in the community that I witnessed was the joy of giving. Yes very true, your love for Christ and the Charism perhaps impels you to give yourself, be it your time, your prayers, your help, your presence, your smile, your service and may be your thoughtfulness. Now I am confirmed to believe that there is no other way than To Give in order to find true happiness in life and in mission. Perhaps this is what Christ has done for us.

At every moment I felt as if the choirs of angels appear before me...

...in the form of the Tabarnacle centred between bedroom and dining hall (the source of your joy)

....in the form of two of you (happy and cheerful people....a joyful attitude of heart and mind) 

...in the form of your loving Teddy (the way he chased the cows and the way he prays....)

...in the form of those humble and simple Khongs who help you selflessly 

...in the form of those little ones who cannot but look and smile at you (your smile is contagious)  

...in the form of those little students who cannot but flock to you (I will not be surprised tomorrow if some of them (girls) become your faithful candidates and later as good sisters....because they see you working, praying and helping, they experience this and then they may imitate you not merely your life but your charisma swell....

I enjoyed wonderful lunch prepared with much love and goodness. Thank you so much for your sacrifice and hard work. And above all during lunch time I felt three of you were one in spirit of your charism and with your province at large. I saw Sr. Francia was moved with tears thinking of her lost sister and Sr. Teena (who was so good and noisy but suddenly was silent like mother Mary and became emotional as well. Sr Maria was also the same as well.  Seeing all these things I was like St Peter who was witnessing the Transfiguration of the Lord. I had a good time. I will ever cherish these memories of blessings and inspiration. Assuring you of my prayerful support and I humbly seek your powerful prayers for me and for my family. Thank you for the wonderful hospitality. I can still write so much but then I am sure my words cannot exhaust what I wish to tell you.   

Praise God at all times...  

“Talitha Cum!” Role of the Clergy and Religious in Facilitating the Joy of Life and Love in Families

        

Today human being in the world is preoccupied with the rat race of power, prestige and possession. As a result the societies and FAMILIES are losing the sense of values, morality and God. Thus God has become a rare phenomenon in the modern world, thought of only at times of need, danger, ill health, favors, jobs and ceremonies. Otherwise God is kept in the back seat as if He is a stranger to life.     

Today technology, scientism, materialism, consumerism, individualism have crept into families crumbling down the edifices of values, relationships and specifically the dignity of the families. We can see this drastic change in the current families as people go away from Families to Restaurants, Class Rooms to Cafes and Priest to Celebrities. So much so that young people isolate themselves indulging in latest technologies and social networks. No wonder why relationships become suspicious and inauthentic. Thus traditional values are at stake in this fastrack times. Therefore, the words of Pope Francis are true in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium that ‘today humanity is experiencing a turning point in its history in matters of progress and development of various fields. Yet, he admits that the joy of living frequently fades and families are scattered like the sheep without the shepherd.’ Why then this kind of shallowness of the present age, doubt, insecurity and indifference?

Today the parents and elderly people are disrespected; the sick and the old people are ignored. Young and promising students become victims of media and pornography. At these critical times families are broken; love and understanding between wife and husband is subjected to doubt. Certainly there are children who day in and out witness such domestic violence at home. Thus values are at a flux both from below and from above, be it in small scale families or be it in large scale families.

Here I would like to bring to attention that, we only believe that God is powerful, majestic, mighty and splendid. Unfortunately we don’t think that God is also poor like the people in the slums, He is helpless like the people who lost their dear ones, He is oppressed like the people who are oppressed. Hence God is most humble, vulnerable, and fragile like the helpless baby wrapped in papers and thrown in the bins, like the babies who are aborted before they come into the world, God is like those simple people who are cheated by the powerful, the rich and mighty. God is like a helpless farmer whose lands are confiscated by the landlords. God is like a helpless young girl who is raped by a gang. God is like a wife whose husband comes home drunk and beats her and rapes her at home. And so my heart is strongly convinced to say that God is the poorest of the poor and God is present in abused, ill treated and misunderstood in the current nano cultured families. Hence, seeing these current trends of the neo families Pope Francis criticizes the growing gap between rich and poor which he sees as the result of ideologies which defend the absolute autonomy of the marketplace, creating a new tyranny which in fact imposes its own laws and rules. Behind this new idolatry Pope sees ‘a rejection of ethics and a rejection of God.’ This certainly did affect families in and out. Therefore God’s mercy and grace is only the hope for such families to get back to him.   

The situation and the context of the families are marred by the evil forces of the times. And so, family a social institution is shattered into pieces. As a consequence, abortion, broken families, orphans, semi-orphans, contraceptives, suicides, child abuses, violence against women are a daily headlines in the news papers and news channels. These are challenges that families face day in and out in every nation; migration, alcoholism, drugs, polygamy, pornography, prostitution and domestic terrorism in the families are few examples.     

Today most of the families are subjected to side effects of false gods and so there is a rise in the individuals who indulge in comfort zones and cocoons of individualism and consumerism. Thus the family life in this new age is changed as if we are indifferent and abnormal to God. To put it simply we have reached even to the extent of living as if there is no God or as if God doesn’t exist. But if we turn the pages of history we see Mother Teresa the saint of the poor who suffered pain and endured patience says that everyone in the world is blessed with an element of divinity and spiritual element. It is only because of the ignorance of our minds that we somehow loose the sight of this spiritual element hidden deep within our hearts like the carnal of the fruit. On the other hand Pope Francis invites the clergy and the religious to take Jesus to heart since He is the way, the truth and the life. We can see how Jesus took the initiative to wash the feet of his apostles and taught them to love each other. We are individually and uniquely called by God (It is I who chose you. I knew you before you were born) and so it is our joy and obligation to do the rest keeping our faith in Him who strengthens us. Like the father in the parable of the Prodigal son it is our joy to find the lost son and it is our joy to look out for the lost sheep.     

Knowing the situation of the families today, Holy Father invites the clergy and the religious to take initiative to stand by the families and to make them know the values, morals and faith as they are the running streams of good family living. He sets Jesus as example, who lived in a healthy family as the ideal figure for the Christian Families. Jesus says Mt 11:28 “Come to me all ye burdened, for I will give your rest.” Thus, families must collectively drive strength in Jesus as he lived in the light of the Word. Jesus therefore, is a paradigm for the Church and for all clergy and religious who are part of the Church. We know that Jesus began his public ministry with the miracle at the wedding feast of Cana (Jn 2: 1-11). He grew in a very homely and family atmosphere where we see him having a deep bond with the family of Lazarus and his sister; and with the family of Peter; he sympathized with grieving parents and restored their children to life. (Mk: 5:41, Lk: 7:14-15). With the example of Jesus who grew holistically in the context of the family invites us all to grow in a family in which love is the binding force of all the members of the family as in the holy Trinity.

‘Love begets love...’ and ‘The fruit of hard work is to work more...’ St Paul beautifully manifests us how this binding force (love) is possible in a family setting in (1 Cor 13: 4-7).  Therefore, in family life there is continuity of love and thus the joy doubles in family as love is shared in welcoming the offspring into the new world of family love. ‘Every new born baby brings home a message that God still loves the world’ says Mother Theresa Kolkata, the saint of the poor. It is said that, above the heavens and below the skies family is the best; no wonder why God chose to incarnate in a family where love is extended in fraternity, parenthood, offspring, sharing and relationships. Regarding this we see how Pope Francis goes a step further and invites all the families to extend the joy of the love of the family through adoption and accommodation. He acknowledges that it is noble but not an easy task. Therefore, he invites the pastors of the Church to accompany and prepare the young people in faith and morals so that they comprehend that these difficult things are not merely meaningful but elevating and divine. By this noble teaching young people are made aware of the Christian values, faith and morals from an eschatological dimension. By this there will be less broken families, divorces, orphans and better family upbringing and responsibility since love is the key in every Christian effort and endeavor; for in love all things are made known and renewed in Christ Jesus who is the sum and substance of human love that is elevated to divine love in Him alone.  

Thank you... 

Pope Speaks to THE FAMILIES...

 We know that, Pope Francis considers family as a mission and vocation in the life of the Church and the world at large. So, it reflects the mind of the Church as it brings God’s message of Love to the families of today especially to the families that are most in need of help, support and accompaniment.  Well, as every road has two sides, similarly family in its dimension has negative and positive dimensions especially in the contemporary scenario where family at every moment faces threats of violence, poverty, money, media, ideologies and immorality-negativity in the world. All the same it is not proper for the pastors to judge and categorize the families and then condemn them for their state of life. So, Pope Francis invites us all to speak about family on a positive note, especially love in a family dimension by taking Scripture and tradition as the main sources. Thus he invites us all to work for the renewal of families despite biting difficulties, problems and serious issues. Therefore, Pope with his latest and relevant documents offers insights to the pastors, Church leaders and the religious to accompany the families, to offer discernment to the new couples and to support them at times of trail and temptation. So, it is an incentive for the pastors to form a pastoral heart to discern and guide the families with the heart of a prodigal father.     

Pope Francis thus makes an interesting intervention addressing all the families; he describes family as a journey where everyone is invited to journey along not as nomads but as pilgrims. It is his personal appraisal for all his people, particularly the pastors to cultivate a pastoral heart to understand families and the individuals who live in their own contexts without pre-conditions and prejudices. We cannot pigeonhole people on the condition of our expectations. So, to avoid this pessimistic attitude we need to cultivate a good conscience; it is a paramount in moral decision making. At the stage legalism, pessimism and rationalism should be avoided. Instead compassion, understanding and support need to be offered. Thus we as pastors respect the freedom and dignity of the individuals to discern and make a good decision to live well in a family life. Of course accompaniment is a must in this process without any force and imposition of rules and norms. It is because the situations, contexts, traditions cultures and customs of one place are different from another. Therefore, as pastors and educators we need to be prudent and sensitive to the needs of the people. Thus we [pastors] respect all the members of the family. Thus Pope Francis exhorts us to cultivate a merciful heart like God who loves us all despite our limitations and weaknesses. Such pastors do not condemn the people, do not judge them; instead like the catalyst s/he invites all to experience the taste of God’s mercy, goodness and love.

Pastors are therefore, exhorted to go out and meet people where they are and not expecting (them) people to come to their comfort castles and isolated cells. Only by going to the people a pastor can understand the complexities of people in their living situations. This act of a pastor propels him/her to extend one’s hands to help those sheep that need our care, support and love. So, where there is love there is no place for judgments, instead there is love that bears all things like Crucified Jesus who could forgive the people who were mocking, thieves on his right and left, Peter who denied him thrice, disciples who ran for life leaving him alone, Pilate who was self-righteous and those wicked elders who could not stomach Jesus as the son of God, Jesus who forgave the Samaritan, Jesus who gave sight to the Barthimaeus, Jesus the Good Shepherd, Jesus who wept, Jesus who sympathized with people, Jesus who had pity for people, Jesus on the cross, Jesus on the way to Emmaus, Jesus on the sea shore and Jesus who was ascending is our model, example and ideal for the pastoral work. Jesus is the forgiving face of the Father. In Jesus we have forgiveness of our sins. Therefore, let us draw strength from Him to work for the kingdom that Jesus embarked for us. Only in Jesus we have our source of strength and hope. Jesus is the way, truth and the life. For he was at home with the smell of the sheep of his time and like the catalyst liberated the sinners, healed the sick, fed the hungry and raised the dead to life. He was ever connected to His Father who is rich in mercy and love.

Love keeps no score of wrong, and does not gloat over any sort of unpleasant happenings. Just like the love of St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata, despite problems caused by the circumstances and people but her love for Christ was vividly manifested in her deeds for the poor and the sick. Therefore this extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, be a gentle reminder for me and for all of us (clergy and religious) to introspect about not what we are rather where are we?    

  

I would like to tell you the words of Pope Francis: We the Clergy and Religious...Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of missionary enthusiasm! Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of the joy of generalization! Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of hope! Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of community! Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of the Gospel! Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of the ideal of fraternal love! and Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of missionary vigor!. For the words talithacumi meant for a poet, exactly what pope Francis intended in his two documents the Joy of the Gospel and Amoris Laietitia (the joy of love) regarding the role of the Clergy and Religious to Role of the Clergy in Facilitating the Joy of Life and Love in Families.    

How about your Consecrated Commitment (life)?

It is God who takes the initiative in creation, sustaining and salvation. With this the initiative is not stopped. He continues to seek the humanity in all asking us to turn to Him. He is after us although we are busy like Eve and Adam satisfying ourselves and indulging with the apple of egoism, power, prestige, possession. Yet God takes initiative to ask, Where are you? Gen 3: 9. He asks us, as he asked Cain Where is your brother?    

‘Talitha Cum!’ two Aramaic words spoken by Jesus Christ, in the Gospel of St Mark 5:41 when He raised up or brought to life the dead daughter of Jairus, an official of the synagogue. The word means “little girl, get up!” If we take original Aramaic expression, ‘talitha’ meaning ‘little lamb’followed by the feminine imperative singular ‘koum’ as found in Greek translation. It is one of the few recorded words of Christ retained in near original form in any of the Gospels. Keeping the meaning of the word talithakum and the context as the background I would like to pose few questions that emerge from those questions that God the Father asked our first Parents in the book of Genesis, Where are you? And where is your brother/sister? I am sure these questions and answers will certainly respond to the needs of the Mission that the Clergy and Religious are privileged to carry on in a given situation and the context.

1.      What do you believe are the 3 big changes for you as a religious today compared to what a religious you may have had to face say 5 or 10 years ago?

a.       Religious and Clergy are active on Mass Media and Communication.

b.      As a result most of us spend less time with books and scripture to read and update our knowledge of Word of God.

c.       Hence our homilies, sermons and talks become monotonous and stereotype and ineffective.

2.      What do you believe are your top 3 challenges as religious today?

a.       Personal Prayer (priority to the work of the Lord rather than the Lord of the work. Hence, we do not become people of prayer but of rules, portfolios and professionals. Hence we are no less than those NGOs and professionals.

b.      Vow of Obedience (we live in terms of gossip and backbiting and Chastity is a compromising value and not a conviction of a religious value).

c.       Most of us like and love people outside the community than inside the community.

3.      Which is the way you are hoping to make an impact and make a difference as a religious in the next 10-20 years?

By becoming more people oriented/mission oriented I shall make my presence as a blessing to the people entrusted to me by becoming one with them; and by knowing their difficulties and joys of daily life. Teaching them how to trust God at all times of life, rather than escaping the realities and responsibilities of life.  

4.      What is an example of a difficult choice you confront regularly in your work and life as a religious?

Unsteady emotions and inhibitions particularly while relating to the equals and the people of God (faithful).

5.      What do you find most meaningful about being a religious and a clergy today?

Befriending the youth and not judging them. Being with them is a blessing. It is time for all the parish priests and religious to render a helping hand to the poor families and others who badly in need of a listening ear. People need our pastoral ear and a shepherd’s heart. Meaning to see we need to invest our valuable time with the people of God.

6.      What do you find most difficult about being a religious and a clergy today?

Not able to balance between prayer and work. At times we lose focus of our vocation, mission and witness and become like those NGOs and Charitable Trust engrossed in the work of the Lord. 

7.      What specific inputs on being more effective religious would be most useful for you in the role you play today?

a. Emotional Integrity and Maturity.

b. How to use Media as a Means in our Mission.

c. Clarity over life of Radical Witness and Life of Professionalism.

d. How to meet people of faith and other faiths.

e. Due to lack of PRAYER we lose focus and get attached to individuals and things and thus get into vocational crisis and end up life in scandals.   

8.      For a religious like this to be effective, you believe he/she should be.....

a.       Should be prepared well (like this theme) setting our mind and heart on a specific theme to think and reflect over may be in retreats, recollections and seminars. 

b.      Should be interactive and relevant for our times to set us into our mission and apostolate.

The Capital Punishment for Rape? Yes or No...

             Capital punishment for rape? Is an article written by Dr. George Therikattil in “Light of Truth”, as an answer to the question asked by Jacob Chacko, in ‘Faith Matters?’ The question is about, shooting down, hanging or castrating them the appropriate punishment?    According to Dr. George, Capital Punishment is not a solution for any crime. He pointed out the fact that the State has not given the power to take life: He also expressed the fear that many of the sexual abuses are done by the family members or close relatives or neighbors. If it so, when the punishment is severe the victim or the family may refuse to file a case against their dear ones. It is a sad thing to know that how in India there is evil persisting in the doors of a family.  For Dr. George all sex offenders are not on the same nature or not under the same category. It may be due to alcoholic, stress, drugs, or other sexual factors. And he also looks at rape as a symptom of a “disease.” At this serious and sorry contexts of nations and societies, basically need a massive transformation of mind and nation consciousness; since rape projects evil is manifestation of men over vulnerable women. She has the right to study, right to work and to live with dignity. It needs a change of mind set which comes from within. Police and judiciary must work together to bring this awareness largely in both rural and urban societies. To prevent the violence against women a collective movement is needed to change sexist attitudes among politicians, media, educating children etc. Women must learn to speak out and men must support when she speaks.  

         It doesn’t encourage capital punishment for the convicted individual. But at this sad reality, we need ask the question, why do men behave so inhuman? Well no doubt poverty is a problem, unemployment is a problem and corruption is a problem. Yes all these petty problems can easily be eradicated, if only we (men the educated) behave like educated people. If so aspirations come enthusiastically and then be sure there will not be time to waste our energies and passion like this.  

 

Thanks to Sr Maria Jees, SD 

Source: Dr. George Therukattil, “Capital Punishment for Rape,” Light of Truth of Sathayadeepam, Vol. 4, Jan, 2013, 11-15.     

THANKS GIVING PRAYER

Dear Friend Jesus, thank you for your humble presence in our hearts. Help us that this grace of your body and blood may continue to sustain our faith in you.
Today along with my community, I thank you for the grace of receiving the cassock. May this act of grace help me and guide me to be faithful and loyal to the call you have given me.  On this significant day I pray for my Provincial, Province, teachers, friends, parents and my brother for their instrumental role in my vocational journey. Bless them and keep them under mantle of your grace and love.Some flowers grow best in the sun, others do well in the shade, Lord you always know what is best for us and put us where we grow best. I specially thank you for this my community and the friends who share their best to shape me as your will. For all these blessings of love and mercy, we praise and glorify you as we echo our hearts with one voice…
As we pray….Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, Amen.
 Thank youNaresh Neelam18/10/2012

A Wounded Healer

Very often we find people keep complaining about difficulties and suffering they face. On the contrary there are people who endure pain and suffering and yet live a happy life. What is the difference between these two kinds of people.?

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE...

Now a days it is will be nice to say that  'Patience is Virtue' precisely because, today nobody likes to spend time and be clear about the issues come on the way. In stead today human being has reached to such a state where he has lost the virtue of Patience. This is very clear  if we take a glace at the fast  food, Instant Coffee and the other ready made edible products. 

 It seems once a Sardargee was praying to  God. As usual like all of us he was also asking God to grant him favors and graces. But surprising he asked God like this. Dear God please bless me abundantly and  give me the patience immediately. Like wise today we have reached to this state where we even have no time to receive the graces from God since we are ever caught up with the word and external  things.

If this is the situation, I wonder what will happen to the coming generations. I may be exaggerating but it is reasonable to say that there is a day where we live only in the virtual and multimedia world. Then there will be no time to spend for the other and no time to think of the other. What a sad thing that will be.

Hence,  what I would like to drive home is  that we are social beings as Aristotle says. Therefore we need to live together sparing time for the other so that our social live becomes more active, interactive and socially active. Therefore we need to have Patience as a virtue to cope with our fellow brother n accepting them as they are and this will surely initiate strong bond between one another. 

I DONATE BLOOD FOR THE SECOND TIME

It was very exciting and enthusing to donate blood for the second time. I remember when I donated blood for the first time, I was tensed and frightened. But with that experience I made up my mind to donate this time. Besides my personal reasons I also wanted to encourage and exhort my young brothers to donate blood. Indeed many turned up and made their mind to donate Blood (their self).

Truth....?

The World today is no more the world Yesterday.  Young people and educated people are utterly in confusion not knowing what is what. They are confused and bewildered about the growing fake realities through media, literature and ideologies. Indeed even the learned are led astray by all these untrue realities. So much so that a lie is made truth and a truth is made a lie by the current commercial attitudes. This has become a religion where pleasure is a priority and a values is an opinion. I mean there is never the old but ever the new, be it people, convictions, trends and fashion technology. Seeing the current trend I am just reminded of the words of a Greek Thinker, Heraclitus "The world is in a state of flux" Perhaps he was right ABOUT today's attitudes and temperaments of people, despite the time gap. We may not know the truth but we cannot change the truth. We may hide the truth but we cannot kill the truth. We may twist the truth but we cannot over come the truth. What makes say all this is, the Changing Climate, Changing People, Changing Priorities of the Leaders and their mixed convictions and commitments.  

Dear friendz plz remember the words of a wise man "Truth is always great no matter how small it looks and Falsehood is always small no matter how big it looks." The truth is that God exists and He loves us despite our frailties and limitations. His love is much much greater than our weakness and sin. God loves unconditionally this is true and the Truth indeed. Therefore, let us be good and faithful to his Love and Mercy...

Sorry! Dear Future Generations...!

We belong to earth and earth does not belong to us. My kind thoughts on mother earth, my humble pronounce to you...

The almighty had a dream to create a beautiful palace in the cosmos; the thoughts blossomed, it was self a revolving beauty with mighty oceans, blue skies, green trees, long rivers, huge mountains, wonderful creatures and human beings the most significant one. As we know this from the book of Genesis that God created everything and human being as the crown of creation. But something has gone wrong...  

We used EARTH as a credit card with no spending limit. As a result, the beautiful Pandas, the Penguins, the Polar bears and the African Tigers are gradually getting extinct.

Do you know why paddy fields are turned into stadiums, forests into factories and hills into leveled grounds....for this Money?  

Besides, our development is a disguise and our progress is a mask. 

I AM SORRY to tell you that we are gone wrong by cutting down the trees at the rate of 40 football fields every minute; that 50% of all the trees on earth are gone in the last 100 years. DO YOU KNOW WHY?...for this  Money?      

What we can say to future generations...  

Dear future generations, I make this speech for the rest of us and say SORRY...

SORRY, we left you with a mess of a planet...

SORRY, we listened to people who made excuses to do nothing...

I hope you forgive us for the fact that we did not know how special the earth was, is and will be is a doubt.

I am sure the fact that how our fore-fathers were so much concerned about the mother earth, trees and water. They felt that it was their responsibility to preserve earth and her bounty for the next 7 generations. I am surprised about the magnificent fact that even the Bamboo once sprouted, lives for coming 7 generations if protected and cared.  

I AM SORRY that we put Profit above People, Greed above Need and Pleasure above Protection.

I AM SORRY we poison our oceans, we strip our forests bare, and we pollute our air.  

I AM SORRY that we have paid so much of attention to the ISIS and very little perhaps to the fact that ICEis melting in the Arctic.

At this juncture if you don’t think that this climate change is a threat for you and for the 7 generations to come I DARE, You and I are responsible for sad future.  

...No matter how many International Conferences held, no matter how many Lau da tosis come out and no matter how many environmental days celebrated but if we do not act on...then soon we are all condemned to doom shattering the 7 billion dreams.

To betray nature is to betray our future generations, to save Nature is to save our future generations; whatever we are fighting for be it racism, communal-ism, poverty or terrorism or any type of adversity, it won’t matter in the list if we don’t work together and act responsibly to save the mother earth. If not we will be responsible making our future generations orphans and along with them perhaps we will be equally extinct.

A wise man once said when the rivers are dried up and the trees are cut down man then will realize that he will not be able to eat money. So what can we normal people do about it...forget it, ignore it no let us not be indifferent to this. Let us stand for the trees because by this we not only save the lives of the trees but we can balance the environment. Thus you and I become the part of the solution not the problem.

Shakespeare: We build our future bot by looking at the stars but Today.

Gandhi: There is enough and more for every one's need and not for everyone's greed. 

Blaise Paschal: This is the best possible world that God could ever create.

Pope King Michael Jackson Legendary song: lyrics (make it a better place for you and for me and for the entire human race for the generations to come). 

Thank you...

A Witness of Fr Sngi’s Holiness...

A family in Shillong (Mawlai) from the Warjri clan narrated the experience of having Fr Sngi praying over the family.   

Before Fr Sngi encountered the family, the situation and the condition of the family was broken and shattered due to financial crisis, sickness and misunderstandings among them. It was providential that Fr Sngi was invited to visit the house and bless the family at this time of crisis and brokenness.

When Fr Sngi visited the family, they were so happy that they welcomed him as a family member and poured out all their sorrow and agony to him; having listened to all their problems and agonies, like a family member he prayed together with them. As the custom of the Khasi, the family gathered around the fire warming up, Fr Sngi invited them all to pray and submit all their family concerns and problems to God the Almighty.  

As they were all one in prayer gathered around fire along with Fr Sngi; Fr Sngi in his usual way of praying for the family, he pleaded God to free the family and their burdens and thus make them as His loving children. During the prayer time one woman (A KONG) saw, a snake coming out, from the water jar, which was put on fire for boiling. In fact it was not only this particularly woman who witnessed this but all the other family members saw the snake coming out from the boiling water and just disappeared from their sight. After the prayer and blessing Fr Sngi promised them God’s protection and told them that the evil had left the family and they would live in Peace and Harmony thereafter.   

Since then, the family is grateful to Fr Sngi’s blessings which miraculously healed and freed from all their burdens.  

Let us all pray God for Fr Sngi and Pray to Fr Sngi that he may intercede on our behalf...

Br Richard was told this by a Khasi KONG