None...but One...

I was none...
is now one...
but will be none...

When I was none...
there was one...
to make one...


Thank  God I was none...
for, there was one...
and now I am One...

Cos God is One...
there is none...
beside One...

God is near...
no more fear...
when He is near...

Cos God is One...
I am ever One...
Will never be One...

Like the one never before...
is the only one ever after...
will never be hereafter... 

Non-violent Communication

Pastoral Counselling Course  27th-28th September 2018 

1. Write an integration paper of understanding and insights received?

  

The two-day sessions were guided by the Holy Spirit and the grace of God. It was a moving experience invoking the Spirit with a hymn Spirit be our spirit...

On the first day, we were put into context by drawing our attention to Jesus. Evangelists tell us how Jesus was compassionate, empathetic and yet effective in his three years of public ministry. Therefore, Jesus the Good Shepherd is our model and inspiration to emulate and imitate. It was an eye-opener for me, that (in the contexts of the Religious Life) ‘if we are left to ourselves then we come to know the truth of our convictions and commitments.’ Perhaps, today a majority of laypeople, faithful, domestic staff and people who associate with us in work know how autonomous, authoritative, assertive, independent and even disobedient we are. This sets everything in perspective of the Pastoral Counselling and the need of the hour. Good to take note of some of the real problems brought to our attention.  

1. Lack of Proper Human Formation (emotional and relational problems)

2. Everything is OK (I am ok) Attitude (We think we have no problems, but...?)  

3. Lack of Listening and Communication Skills

4. Lack of Psycho-Sexual Maturity (lack of ability to steer, manage and channel feelings)

5. Still into Late Adolescent (displacement of anger and disfigured motivations)  

6. Double Life (Public Life does not resonate in Private Life)  

As a consequence of these problems, we fail to strike a balance. We even fail to live an integrated life due to inner conflicts and emotional outbreaks. It is sad to see how inner life does not radiate public life. In this downfall, we lack integrity, credibility and prayer life (Christ will be put in the back seat).  

What is the way out? Our God is a Good Shepherd; he does not leave us in trouble but will lead us to the green pastures. Jesus teaches us how to find the lost coin, lost sheep and the lost son. For, “It is not healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (Mt 9:12).

1. Love (Love conquers all)

2. Patience (Patience is a virtue and is the mother of all virtues)  

3. Self-Control

4. Discernment (introspection is mandatory without any exception)

5. Non violent Communication (OFNR)

It is enlightening to understand how God loved the world and sent his only son so that whoever believes in him may not die but have eternal life. This certainly implies that Incarnation is a way of God’s communication to the world. Therefore, Incarnation is the journey of God’s heart to humanity (John 3:16). The fruit of God’s Non violent Communication is peace, joy, forgiveness and above all is LOVE in eternity). Having been enlightened by the psychological and social dynamics of Freud and Ericson and of course, with the background of our needs noted by Maslow I believe, it is through this Non violent Communication (OFNR) that we all become compassionate while valued everyone who deserve basic self-respect without exception. Thus we learn to understand and help others and thus get connected to them and give time and space by giving from our heart. In short, we become real, sincere and truthful about ourselves and others. Eventually, we begin to understand and know less; we begin to help others and judge less. Of course, the Holy Spirit is the guiding force of this new method of human learning, growing and glowing.     

Conclusion: On the second day we have drawn a lot of insights for the pastoral life and for pastoral counselling. It is highly imperative for all consecrated men and women to first have a basic moral certainty before we step into the mission. Therefore, we all ought to have a heart of Jesus like that of the Good Shepherd. The journey of the Heart is all about having a compassionate heart first to love and to be loved. At times education, information and date don’t really help us unless and until we really become people who educate their conscience and heart. It is only by working upon one’s emotions, feelings and desires that we become effective pastors. It is all becoming a good human person that we become better in our mission. Therefore, it is fundamental for the pastors to be human and understanding. I sincerely felt Non Violent Communication proposed by Marshall B Rosenberg is effective if followed in one’s daily life and much more in one’s ministry. Let us not forget the golden words of St Irenaeus “The glory of God is wo/man who is fully alive.” This is exactly the vision of God for humanity, that we be happy in life. What goes around comes around. If we practice NVC for sure we would only become the agents of change and transformation. Golden Rule is “Give unto others what you would want them to do to thee.” (Mt 7:12).

2.1:  The Meaning of the Words

A. OBSERVATION: It is all about what I see (phenomenological). I am exhorted to see with a compassionate heart for the other. What I just observe, see and notice only. By this observation method, we become free from Evaluation, Judgment.

  

B. SELF REALIZATION: It is just coming to one’s senses. By examination of conscience, by reflection over something we do and by introspection we come to self-realization. It is a revealing process of one’s character and conduct.    

C. DISCERNMENT: It is the ability to obtain a sharp perception to make a decision or judgement. It gives a sense of purpose, direction and motivation. It is a wise, prudent and timely judgement making process or a decision-making process.

D. EMOTIONAL MATURITY: It is the ability to handle the situation, capacity to respond to circumstances and control emotions and feelings without suppressing them but expressing them in a more balanced and adult manner while dealing with others as well.  

E. TOUCH: Touch is the most effective means to communicate feelings and emotions. Therefore, withholding of touch may even communicate a variety of negative feelings.

     

2.2 Implication of the Words with an Example Each

A. OBSERVATION: As a brother assisting boys in the study time, if I notice boys talking and dust ruing others during study time...I would use this skill as;   

Eg:-Savio, today I saw you talking loud in the study hall.  

B. SELF REALIZATION: On a Sunday, during the pastoral council meet, while I am instructing I will be conscious of the time and the works of the participants at home. If the meeting goes much beyond the time then I will provide them with some refreshments to eat.

Eg:-I will be aware of my usual tendency to give long homilies.      

C. DISCERNMENT: As a parish priest, I will call for a youth meet and make them aware of the parish situation and the needs of the parish. I exhort them to give their valuable suggestions.

Eg:-Before making a decision in the youth meet I will discern and make a relevant, useful, practical and important decision for the parish youth to follow.      

D. EMOTIONAL MATURITY: As a parish priest, I will be conscious of my emotions, feelings and my Achilles’ heel.

Eg:-While dealing with women, children and poor people of the parish I will be concerned but I watch my motivations and emotions. 

E. TOUCH: As a parish priest I have the moral obligation and responsibility to support the poor and the needy. Therefore, if one of the poor families in the parish faces a misfortune, I will stand by them particularly in their time of need and support,

Eg:-I will go to the breadwinner of the family and spent time with him listening to him. I will be with the family and encourage the faithful to render their generous contribution and support. By touch his shoulders I will assure him of emotional and material help.

References

1. Accessed on 29^th September 2018, “An Introduction to Non violent Communication,”http://www.schooltransformation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Kendrick_NVC_Materials.pdf.  

2. Accessed on 29^th September, 2018, “NVC Instruction Guide,” http://www.cnvc.org/sites/cnvc.org/files/NVCInstructionGuide_Jiva_.pdf

3. Pope John Paul II, Pos-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis, to the Bishops, Clergy and Faithful on the Formation of Priests in the Circumstances of the Present Day,http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_25031992_pastores-dabo-vobis.html, Accessed on 29^th September, 2018.

5. The New Jerusalem Bible (England: Datron, Longman & Todd Ltd, 1985).

(Not referred but for additional help)

6. Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity: Handbook for Religious and Priestly Formation, Eds. Jose Parappully and Jose Kuttianimattathil Vol. 1 (Bangalore: Salesian Psychological Association, 2012).  

7. Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity: Handbook for Religious and Priestly Formation, Eds. Jose Parappully and Jose Kuttianimattathil Vol. 2 (Bangalore: Salesian Psychological Association, 2012).

“In every moment, each of us is trying to meet our needs in the best way we know how.”

:-Marshall Rosenberg

24Th Week, Monday Year B-Homily (17Th September, 2018)

Monday: 1 Cor. 11:17-26, 33; Lk. 7:1-10  

The first reading presents to us how Paul explains the attitude and the disposition of the community with regard to the Lord’s Supper. In fact, Paul gives a scolding to the community because they failed to understand the meaning of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. As we all know that the Eucharist is the expression of Jesus love for the twelve apostles. But, the community was disloyal to this Eucharistic love due to disunity and lack of eschatological orientation. One of the reasons why Paul does not commend the community is that while celebrating the Eucharist they were stuck to their divisions and factions. Thus the community failed to understand the primordial things over the trivial issues. They gave away the eschatological essentials by being bogged down by the existential elements. Paul is rather emphatic as he says that what he received from the Lord he passed it on. But then the community could not do so. Therefore, at this complex situation, Paul comes out with a solution to re-examine their attitude towards the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and then turn to the Lord for help so that they may open their hearts to celebrate the Eucharist worthily. In the context of the Eucharist Christian charity and fraternity become very strong as it is both a thanksgiving and a sharing (Bread being broken and shared). In fact, the words “Do this in memory of me” the Lord initiates a bond of mutual sharing and mutual love. Therefore, Paul is heavy on the community for having failed to recognise this Eucharistic element.   

In today’s gospel, we read of a centurion’s response of faith in Jesus. The emphasis in the miracle is given to the power of Jesus’ word. A centurion, being a Roman, considered as unclean by the Jews and yet manifests a great deal of faith in Jesus. As a commander of the army, he could command his army from a distance understood that Jesus also could heal his servant from a distance. The point of the story is Jesus’ affirmation of the centurion’s faith and not the report of the healing that concludes the story. In fact, Lukan description communicates Jesus’ surprise at the Gentile’s faith, and his approval as well. This tells us that where Jesus would have expected to find faith in an Israel, here he finds it in a Gentile. Jews request Jesus not to consider him as a Gentile for he was good to the Jews. In contrast to what the Jewish elders say, the centurion claims that he is not worthy to welcome Jesus into his house. He was even sensitive to Jesus not to allow him to break Jewish rule of ritual purity. Thus a centurion acknowledges Jesus’ power over the forces of death. So much so that he even believed that Jesus’ mere word would restore his servant to health. Here, a centurion became a hero not because he did something extraordinary or he is worthy not because he did good deeds but because he believed that God in Jesus conquered death. His unexpected faith is contrasted with that of those who were expected to believe and did not. 

Dear friends, the word of God invites us to think about our faith in Jesus, how deep and firm it is? Or how shallow and superficial it is? The situation in and around is in no way different from that of Jesus. If so are we like a centurion who professed in Jesus or like the community in the first reading who celebrated the Eucharist unworthily. The former was outside the chosen race yet believed in the Lord and latter was inside the chosen race but failed to believe the real presence of the Lord. Therefore, like the centurion let us express our faith in Jesus and not in people. If we keep our faith in people surely we will lose our faith like the community in the first reading who were blinded by their own vested interests and selfish motives and failed to believe the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Such people are not very far from heresy, schism and apostasy. How fatal that would be, living a life of self-contradiction and a life of uncertainty. Instead, like the centurion who considered himself unworthy before Jesus and yet believed that only Jesus could bring healing for his servant and reconciliation to him whom the world considered as the unclean. But the Lord was amazed at his faith. Dear friends, seeing you and me will the Lord say not even in Israel have I found faith as great as this. If so you are not very far from the Kingdom of God. If not, better examine before the Lord who truly, really and substantially comes to us in this Eucharist. And it is better to repent now than never.    

Youth: Where is your Heart?

Once, a friend asked me to prepare a talk on the role of the young people towards parents, family and the Church. Today, the young people are seemed to be busy doing many things but they fail in life. In fact, many young people end up in life as drunkards, drug addicts, rapists and then commit suicide. As teenagers, they are so promising and so active in studies, sports and music but then as they complete teenage something goes wrong with them. Where are the principles that they learn in the School? Where are the values that they learn in the family? Where is their faith? Being young is adventurous and challenging. But then, suddenly there is a drastic change in their lifestyle, dress code, talk, food habits, picnics, new and unknown friendships and online late night chatting etc. Dear young reader, I am happy that you are reading this and while you read if you find yourself uncomfortable then you’ve got to think seriously about your life. Today all the young people who are victims of Media, Social Networks and online relationship are having a sickness called FOMO. What is this? It is Fear Of Missing Out. All those who check their WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Messenger and other social networks for updates and notifications fall into this new sickness of FOMO. They are not in control of them but the Mobile and the Media. There are many other social and behavioural changes that take place in these people; sleeplessness, dilemma, depression, headache and irritation are few among them.       

It is good to think about what is going on in the mind of the young people. Where are the young people? Who is their friend? And where is their heart? In the Bible there are questions:

In (Gen. 3:8), God asked Adam, Where are you?

In (Gen. 4:9), Yahweh asked Cain, Where is your brother Abel?

And in (.......), the Lord asked the young man, Where is your Heart?

Today God asks every young man and young woman the same questions...where are you? Where is hour brother/sister? And where is your heart?

In this buzz world, there is a danger of truth being manipulated and identity being disfigured. Unfortunately, even the leaders of the country don’t help the young to make the right decisions and choose life and avoid evil. Instead, political and religious fundamentalist groups mobilize the young and use them as means for their selfish motives. The media is so deceptive that it adds fuel to fire by confusing the young people about their priorities and responsibilities. Thus the young people are becoming victims of media culture. As a consequence of the negative influence of media, fanatic and fundamentalist culture the young people become indifferent to their responsibilities and become overactive on the social networks where they find their imaginations and fantasies coming true. They get lost in this wave of media and become helpless victims of trend and end up miserably by joining violent groups causing public and social damage. God asks to choose life or death. If we choose life then we have got to work at it and if we choose death than the world makes use of us and leaves us at the end as victims of media culture and as the puppets in the hands of the rich.  

What went wrong with these young people? First and foremost they lacked focus in life and therefore they begin to enjoy life in sin. Sin is a passing joy, a momentary pleasure but the guilt remains (Eph 7:1; 2 Cori 4:8). What is the solution? The only solution we have is Jesus Christ and the Sacraments.   

We become what we behold. Life is not an accident, nor an incident, nor a coincident, not a chance or a by chance but by choice. Yes, it is the Choice of God that we are alive. It is His gift to us. Therefore, your attitude toward life determines your altitude in life. Attitude: Faith, Work and Humility. Altitude: Grace, Success and Happiness. Prayer is the key to heaven but faith unlocks the door. So, my prayer is that the young people today must be focussed and be clear about those three Biblical questions and thus strive to find meaning, happiness and fulfilment in life. When we are young we must invest all our energies to lay a strong foundation for our better future. Therefore, delay not but start working on. Faith, Morals, sacraments and responsibilities are the stepping stones for a happy, joyous and holy life.  

A Student Laments over...(A to Z)

Alas!

Bitter tale is mine.

Comes to my mind like an unceasing sunrise and

Drives me into depression and dejection.

Eventides are filled with assignments galore.

Frequent trials of text-familiarity tests add on to my grief.

Griever, I have become more grievers my associates turned.

Highlighting, again and again, the highlights of the Bible text,

Inch is not left without colouring the page.

Just how contrast to my day; colourless and lifeless.

Knowledge of the scripture I sought to master

Lamentations unending is what I fetched and

Mourning and in misery, I sink deep.

Nineveh, the old destroyed city

Oh! What a similar pathetic state we both have

Parched for comfort and longing for consolation.

Questionable life is mine, is it worth treading?

Render your answer, O Lord, and restore my soul.

Silence, my dearest soul, loose not your hope

Trust in Lord, take time to test your motives

Unwrap your true self, strive for the truth

Victory is in the WORD alone.

Woe is you, if you don’t grab the intention and experience of your professor, so

Xerox entire scripture with haste

Yes! This is your true destination and a sure path to

Zion above, the eternal God’s abode.

           

 Yet this is written as an assignment in appreciation for the writer of the book of lamentation for his acrostic poems. In order to keep and follow the alphabetical order author seems bit exaggerating yet it does not bog me down to appreciate his efforts.  

M. Sudhakar. 

30th August, Thursday: Homily

Dear friends in Jesus Christ...first reading presents to us how Paul’s evangelical mission was established on God’s initiative. (Sosthenes Acts18:17).

Paul refers to the Church of God and the believers as set apart. He uses this highly condensed formula kletois hagiois, means that believes have been set apart by God. However it does not qualify that they are intrinsically holy, but they are sanctified through Christ. To understand the phrase ‘Those Sanctified’ we must know the context of Paul and Corinth. Paul’s earliest preaching in the city took place in the local synagogue where, both Jews and Greeks accepted his message. It is in this context that Paul tells of those who are made ‘Holy’, and ‘Set apart.’ For Paul every Christian is set apart, sanctified and made holy by the merits of Christ’s sacrifice (Heb.10:10). This comes to us in Baptism. Therefore, he encourages them to call on the name of the Lord in prayer and worship.   

Besides, Paul reminds, how they are blessed by the Holy Spirit, in order to build the Church. Although, the believers are sanctified, set apart and filled with the gifts of the spirit, this is all done only through Christ. So he tells them to be holy in word and deed. This goes without saying that how Paul sees/goes beyond the borders.   

He warns them about Judgement Day. The day of the Lord has many connotations: It relates at once to the OT expression of the Judgement Day. It is a fiery judgement when God takes vengeance on his enemies and vindicates the saints. Sometimes it refers to the last day of history, when Christ will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. Hence, Paul tells the community that God will not abandon what he has started in the Church. Therefore the members of the Church are termed as kletoi the called ones. It is a Pauline technical word used to mention the process of salvation through Christ. Thus Paul draws a line of communion, koinonia/union in Christ. Thus their shared existence as members of Christ’s body is highlighted in this Eucharist.  

In today’s gospel reading Matthew presents how essential it is to be prepared and be watchful. Vigilance is a prominent theme in Jesus’ teaching ministry presented in 24-26 chapters.  This theme addresses the glorious coming of Christ at three levels.

1. Past historical: The disciples were to look vigilantly for Christ’s judgement on Jerusalem.

2. Present Liturgical: Disciples must look with faith to see the coming of Christ in the Eucharist. Jesus’ presence must be discerned to avoid divine judgement.

3. Future Eschatological: Disciples must watch for Christ’s Second Coming in glory.  

Being vigilant in faith and good works is necessary to inherit eternal life with Christ. Therefore, let us understand what is in the mind of Matthew: Watch Therefore is the principle that tells that no one knows the exact time of the Parousia, except the Father. According to Matthew, Jesus by sharing our human condition shares also our partial ignorance. Matthew tells us that we must not be like the Men of Noah who drew wrong conclusions from their ignorance of the time of the flood and were careless in the things that pertain to God. Matthew employs a new term hetoimoi=ready, prepared and vigilance. It is an eschatological alertness to the will of God.   

We know the word eschatology comes from a Greek word eschaton means ‘the last things’ or ‘the things of the afterlife.’ In the Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples to stay awake. And in the first reading Paul urges the community to be united to the church and to behave like the people set apart. If we are not vigilant enough, then we will be like that wicked servant, foolish virgins and like the men of Noah’s time who were succumbed to their human calculations. It is true the Lord delays but then he does not wait. Let us therefore, dispose our hearts and minds at the feet of the Lord and ask him to strengthen our faith so that we go not by sight but by faith like that of the early Christian Community. For, we are also set apart, sanctified and made holy. Thus we shall live our faith with an eschatological alertness. That is how saints lived. St Augustine: Late have I know you o ancient and o heavenly beauty. Thomas Aquinas: All I wrote is trash if compared to the beatific vision he had. Mother Theresa: I trust in thee. Dear friends in Christ, let us pray in this holy Eucharist that may we also learn to be vigilant and walk in faith. Let go by faith and not by sight. For the Lord delays but does not wait for your preparedness. Blessed are if you are like Paul, John the Baptist and the saints above for you have won favour of the Lord.    

The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dear friends today, the Church invites us to celebrate the Queenship of Mary. Her coronation as the Queen of all creation is intimately connected to her Assumption into heaven. This feast was first proclaimed as a Liturgical Feast by Pope Pius XII on 11^th October 1954 through his Encyclical Ad Caeli Reginam. The wisdom of the Church makes this feast significant for us to celebrate all the more with great favour and faith. Considering the fact that Jesus was descendant of the House of David, Mary being the mother of Jesus is entitled by tradition to sit at the right hand of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Queen Mother. This tradition dates back to the Old Testament when Bathsheba was enthroned as Queen Mother because of the role she played in making her son, Solomon, the King. We contemplate this wonderful scene in the fifth Glorious Mystery of the Holy Rosary. In the fifth Glorious Mystery, the Church believes that Mary as the Queen of Heaven, Our Lord comes back to us again through Mary, passing His Life and His blessing through her hands as the Mediatrix of all graces. He came through her in Bethlehem; through her, we go back to Him-and through her He comes back again to us.

In Regina Anglorum one of the famous poems of G.K. Chesterton is...

Our Lady went into a strange country

And they crowned her for a queen

For she needed never to be stayed or questioned

But only seen;

And they were broken down under unbearable beauty

As we have been.

Our Lady wears a crown in a strange country

The crown He gave,

But she has not forgotten to call her old companions,

To call and crave;

And to hear her calling a man might arise and thunder

On the doors of the grave.    

The Old Testament records Enoch and Elijah being taken up to heaven by the Lord. In the New Testament, we read of the single privilege of Mary to be chosen by God to be the mother of His only Begotten Son Jesus Christ. From our Scripture classes, we know the Jewish context of those who bear children outside marriage. Therefore, this grace of being the mother of God was accompanied by hardships and a test of faith. So the angel’s greetings of ‘Rejoice, you who enjoy God’s favour...was in fact not as pleasing as it appeared to be. For that greetings and blessing entailed the cross unseen and the pain unexpressed. She perhaps understood the mystery of this greeting as she accompanied her son to Calvary. But she did not fail to respond in faith and believe in heart what her son had to accomplish. She pondered all these things in her heart and with faith and confidence in her son’s divinity she told the men at the wedding to do whatever he tells.

After hearing the greetings of the angel, Mary was deeply disturbed and was perplexed about what those words mean. Mary a young Jewish girl, still holy and innocent as a teenager was afraid thinking of what would befall her. But the Angel tells her, Mary do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Look, You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob forever and his reign will have no end.   

Learning from Mother Mary: Beauty takes different forms. This feast of the Queenship of Mary projects the reward of Mary’s purity of heart and sanctity of life. It also is a reminder of the true face value and inner beauty of our Blessed Mother. Therefore, this feast is an invitation to draw out our inner beauty and sanctity of life. May she help us and assist us particularly when we are troubled and confused in our isolated misunderstandings and misconceptions of truth and goodness of humanity and divinity. Thus with her assistance may we also in faith and confidence sing a hymn of Magnificat and run in haste to help and support our neighbour as she did to Elizabeth, her cousin.

Two Things to Do...

Hurrey...! we the SHTC family (Staff and Students) inaugurate another academic year of 2018-19 on 7th of August, 2018. The auditorium is packed with students both of BTh and ITLR. The President at the end of his report invited all the students to give the best and get the maximum out of this academic year. Interestingly, another professor had only two things to say; One is to READ and the other is to WRITE.  

Today's youth, students and netizens perhaps lack these two academic virtues; hence, he might have felt that the students of SHTC also might have fallen into this current of media. Therefore, his challenge and invitation to Read and Write, I believe are relevant even for us all SHTC students, particularly as we venture into yet another year of learning and unlearning and growing and becoming. 

The Theme of the Day: "From darkness of ignorance lead us to the light of knowledge oh God..."    

The Ideal, Actual and the Possible Self

It was on the eve of the community day celebrations that one of the staff members insight-fully opened my eyes with his thoughtful, insightful and emotion filled speech. Well, that great soul is Rev Fr V.V. Paul who is known for editorial work. What did he say?

It was a great day for all the students of theology celebrating the community day on which we would be served good food and drinks. Hence, everyone was waiting for this good and great day. In view of this beautiful day, Fr V.V. Paul gave us food for our thought. For me it was a solid and nutritious food for my thought. 

There are always two types of families, societies, communities. I believe that this formula even applies for the type of the self. The first type is the Ideal and the second is Actual. He said that 'these two types are equally important." Because, if Ideal is neglected then we become cynical and on the other hand if we reduce the actual then we fall into hypocritical syndrome. Therefore, the challenge is to strike a balance between these two types. In this process of we don't elevate the Ideal in order to reduce the Actual; but we raise the Actual to reach the Ideal. At this juncture, we must realize that this is a constant journey that having the Ideal before us and strive to reach it. As 'every light has it's own shadow,' hence, we must transcend the differences, limitations and shadows. If so, eventually we become the protagonists of the third type called the Possible Community, Society, Family and the Self. By this process of growing, maturing and enlightening we all as Individuals create space for a good and possible families, communities, societies and selves. Thus we help each other by understanding the realities of life that nothing is Ideal unless and until we begin to step into the shoes of the other. By this we reflect each other with all differences, limitations and shadows. For no one is perfect except God the Almighty. Therefore, we emulation of God's goodness strive to transcend human predicament and created ripples of humanity, of understanding, accepting and supporting. For by being human we become divine. As human beings, being human is our duty for there lies our beauty. 

666: The Mark of the Beast...

  

Introduction: The Greek word apocalypse means ‘to reveal’ what is concealed. The book Apocalypse is a revelatory literature with two approaches, namely apocalyptic and prophetic. The apocalyptic approach distinguishes the righteous from the wicked and rewards them accordingly. In a prophetic dimension, the wicked may repent and change their ways; the righteous stand in need of exhortation to faithfulness. It is highly pictorial, symbolic and metaphorical. There are about 800 allusions to the Old Testament. It was written in the reign of Roman Emperor Domitian 81-96 C.E. The scholars have opined the date from 90-95 C.E. The apocalyptic imagery and language reveal the severity of God’s judgement. The dominant image of the Lamb shows that God’s word of judgement was spoken in the Cross. Therefore, this book contains prophetic messages to the seven churches in Asia Minor. It is here that we must see the universal salvation that is intended by the author despite a deep struggle between good and evil, light and darkness, truth and falsehood and the Church and the Roman Empire. In the end there is victory for light, truth and the Church. Therefore, John invites the communities to understand how God is at work through Jesus Christ.  

   

The Imperial Cult: In the context of Asia minor (the seven churches), God speaks through Jesus Christ to John for the benefit of the Christians during persecution in Domitian Empire. He was characterized as a tyrant who fostered the imperial cult of the divine title dominus et dues (The Lord). In his time there was a wide spread of oppression and persecution of Christians. Hence, John had a negative approach to the Roman Empire and to the values of the empire. The Asian Christian communities brought John joy since they shared his visions. With a prophetic vision he saw that something was rotten at the heart of Rome. He felt the need to assist Christian communities through these pastoral letters since the tide of the Roman Empire flowed steadily against them. Therefore, he wished that Christians to be good citizens of this world. So also John must have been moved by the teachings of Jesus Mk. 10: 43 “it shall not be so among you” the total rejection of the Gentile style and authority. He had a two-fold reason for his attack on Rome. First, his conviction that imperial Rome was an instrument of satan. Second, he had to wean his fellow-Christians from their willingness to work within the Roman Imperial system.   

Two Beasts: John sees the two beasts that were created by God to inhabit in the sea and on the land. They are instruments of the dragon. John considers Rome and the propagators of the imperial cult as these two beasts. The first beast, emerging from the sea, is a composite of the four beasts of Daniel 7:2-8. The beast is a parody of the Lamb and is the enemy of God and humankind. The healing of its mortal wound is a reference to the legend of redux-Nero returned from exile/death/abyss. His frustrated rage (blasphemy) senses failure hence, aims at God’s dwelling. To this beast the dragon (satan) gives his power and authority on earth. Satan though cast down from heaven, is still ‘the ruler of this world’ for a short time. He can still declare ‘To you I will give all this authority and the glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will’. This beast is the dragon’s instrument in his warfare against the seed of the woman and his authority covers the world, the orbis Romanus. This imagery of the source (tēs thalassēs, the sea) is as the vision draws upon the imagery of Daniel 7:3. What is this source/sea in the vision? Is it the sea as a symbol of the great mass of humanity, particularly the Gentiles? In 17: 15 and Daniel 7:2-3 the four winds of heaven make the sea turbulent, the reservoir of evil.       

  

Like the first beast, the second beast is a superhuman entity that advances Satan’s goals in human history. He even appears as good and Christ like and yet its message is from the devil. The two beasts collaborate with each other to wield the political power. Thus he even deceives the human beings to worship him as the Lord and God. Those who refuse to worship him as the Lord he puts them to death and threats others of the economic exclusion in the empire. It even makes propaganda to other kings and kingdoms to join him to battle against God ad his people. He is called as the false prophet, with the ten horns of a lamb. When it speaks, it is the voice of the dragon that is heard: a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It is the interpreter and servant of the beast and can work miracles. This beast still had to operate within a divine plan: ‘it was allowed.’ He causes all those who adopted the imperial cult to wear the mark of the beast. Like the servants of God who receive the seal upon their foreheads 7:3, and the followers of the Lamb have his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads 14:1. So too, the servants of the beast are marked with the ‘stamp’ of the beast (666): it is a travesty of the seal of the living God 7:2. He is the anti-Christ in the New Testament.

What is so special about this number 666? Well, at the most basic level of biblical symbolism, of seven represents perfection, six signifies imperfection. Since, there are three sixes, meaning it is in a superlative form of imperfection. John has in mind a more precise meaning since he says that it is possible to calculate the number of the beast and that is stands for a person ‘is the number of a man.’ In Hebrew and in Greek the letters of the alphabet were also used as numbers. It is therefore possible to add up the numerical value of the letters and to ascertain a number for a word or phrase. So, the Greek word for ‘beast’ therion, is translated into Hebrew, the numerical value of the letter is 666. When the Greek version of Nero’s name Caesar Neron is translated into Hebrew it totals 666. Therefore, according to the opinion of the scholars John identifies Nero with this number of the beast. Thus Nero was seen as a historical embodiment of the beast. (The numeric value of the Hebrew letters to English letters; Q=100+S=60+R=200+N=50+R=200+W=6+N=50, totaling 666. In this context the Roman Emperors Caligula and Domitian also total 666.  

Conclusion: we cannot worship the beast because God is the ultimate source of all power and authority. Even Satan’s activity falls mysteriously within the divine purpose, which is always a saving purpose. And the beast is one form or other, will survive as long as the earthly duration of the Church. But those who dwell in heaven, the martyrs and saints will rejoice at the fall of the beast. His worshipers ‘the inhabitants of the earth’ are in contrast to the followers of the lamb, whose names are in the book of life. John does not thereby assert that the worshipers of the beast are predestined to damnation. He is clear that salvation is a free and unmerited gift of God. Therefore, John warns the Christians that the day of persecution is at hand. They will be saved through the tribulation; captivity, exile, death may be the fate of the believers. So he calls for a patient endurance hypomonē and faith in face of active persecution. Our comfort is that ‘satan’ has been conquered. Victory is God’s victory, by the power of the Cross. More precisely, the Cross is, for us, the definitive promise of final victory. We still stand in need of salvation.  

True sovereignty belongs solely to the One on the throne. In each case the wearers of the seal are under patronage: divine or satanic according to their allegiance. It seems that v.17 envisages an economic boycott against those who stand aloof from the imperial cult. A totalitarian regime, especially in a sycophantic atmosphere has many ways and means of bringing pressure to bear. The yellow star, which Jews compelled to wear in Nazi Germany, victimized them. Christians in Asia, if not in quite the same manner, could be efficiently marginalized. For John, the second beast represented false religion-specifically, the imperial cult- historically, even religion that is ‘authentic’ has too often worn aspects of the beast. The word of Jesus stands as perennial challenge: ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Religion is for men and women; men and women are not meant to be slaves of religion. The beast ‘made’ people to do, ‘caused’ people to do things. Can we honestly claim that it does not still, in some measure, dominate? We have it on the authority of Jesus that we ought not only to reject, but actively oppose, this abuse of religion. To take such a stand may cost us dearly. Jesus paid his price.

Other parallels between the beast and Christ include both wielding swords, both having followers on whose foreheads were inscribed their names both having horns 5:6, 13:1, and both rising to new life and authority, and both having power over the whole world. The conflict of transpires while the seven world empires are running their course, but as the focus has shifted to the last of these kingdoms when the beast will enjoy his supremacy over the ten kings who act as sub-rulers under his authority. The seven heads will reveal that the seven heads stand for seven successive world monarchies: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and the regime represented by the ten simultaneous kingdoms i.e the ten horns. The explanation that sees the ten horns as ten Roman emperors of the past (Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitelius, Vespasian and Titus). On the head of the beast were written ‘the names of blasphemy’ that amounted to words or conduct injurious to God’s honour and holiness. The combined strength of historical Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece will comprise the total character of this beast.   

            

The beast blends two types of endeavor: insolent blasphemy toward God and almost irresistible powers of seduction over men. Both resemble the activities of the little horn in Daniel 7:8, God allows the beast to blaspheme for a limited time (forty two months), but will still hold him accountable. One of the great lessons in Daniel from which John draws so heavily is the sovereignty of God over the world’s governments. The dragon, the beast from the sea (Antichrist), and the beast from the earth (false prophet), comprise the ‘unholy trinity’ (Paralleling Father, son and spirit respectively). Yet, God is in control of the beast. In the first century Nero and Domitian were notorious for their persecution of Christians. The twentieth century saw the rise of Hitler, shown here and the atrocities committed under his leadership. Many more evil rulers may come to power before the final Antichrist appears, as described in John’s vision. Satan’s forces are eager to deceive and will readily accept the worship that belongs to God alone. Those who are not genuine followers of the Lamb will be deceived and worship the beast. Christians should be prepared to suffer as part of their disciple to Jesus. All these evil powers and the false prophets and Antichrists will face Christ’s judgement at his return. Roman 13 (all authority was from God and for God says Paul). “There is no authority except that which God has established.” When operating properly under divine authority, the state upholds law and order and serves as an instrument of justice 13:4.     

Homily on Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

Readings: Ps 118: Act. 4: 32-35; 1 Jo. 5:1-6; Jn. 20:19-31

  

Dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, in this second Sunday of Easter, the mother church invites us to understand God’s immense love for us. As a response to God’s love manifested in His only son the three readings help us to reflect on God’s mercy. As his faithful children we therefore are encouraged to thank him and praise him for his goodness. In fact the Responsorial Psalm invites us to give thanks to the Lord for he is good and for his love has no end.   

The gospel reading continues to explain to us about the immense love of Jesus; even when his own frightened to speak for him, afraid to stand for him and lacked faith to witness to him and secured themselves in the closed doors instead of overcoming trials and tribulations. Like the apostles we do face a lot of difficulties, doubts and uncertainties. It is at this situation the Lord intervenes and strengthens us through his Holy Spirit and by his peace of resurrection. Therefore, the Church wants us to meditate on the divine mercy during this second Sunday of the Easter because it is in his mercy we are saved.

In the gospel Jesus appears to the disciples who were locked up in the closed doors for the fear of the Jews; because their faith in Jesus was dominated by their fear of the Jews. But my dear brothers and sisters, in Jesus Christ the good news is that our God is an incarnated God and a compassionate God who does not abandon us in our difficulties and fears. Instead he helps us in our lack of faith and strengthens us in his love and mercy provided we sincerely long for him like Thomas who doubted not because he did not want to believe but rather because he wanted to believe for himself. Doubt is not the enemy of faith; doubt is rather the friend of faith. If I were to mention the names of certain disciples to you and ask you to write down the first word that comes into your mind, it is unlikely you would come up with the same words. If I were to mention the name of Judas many of you would write down the word "betray" but not all of you. If I were to mention Simon Peter, some of you would write down the word "faith," but not all of you. If I were to mention the names of James and John, some of you would write down the phrase "Sons of Thunder," but not all of you. But when I mention the word Thomas, there is no question about the word that you would write down. It would be the word doubt. We have associated him with the word doubt and coined a phrase to describe him "Doubting Thomas." 

In the first three gospels, we are told absolutely nothing at all about Thomas. It is in John's Gospel that he emerges as a distinct personality, but even then there are only 155 words about him. When Jesus turned his face toward Jerusalem the disciples thought that it would be certain death for all of them. Surprisingly, it was Thomas who said: Then let us go so that we may die with him. It was a courageous statement, yet we don't remember him for that. We also fail to point out that in this story of Thomas' doubt we have the one place in all the Gospels where the Divinity of Christ is stated. It is interesting, the story that gives Thomas his infamous nickname, is the same story that has Thomas making an earth shattering confession of faith? Look at his confession, "My Lord, and my God." Not teacher. Not Messiah. But God! It is the only place where Jesus is called God without qualification of any kind. It is uttered with conviction as if he was recognizing a fact. You are my Lord and my God are certainly not the words of a doubter but of the one who was convinced of his God.

History has remembered him for this scene where the resurrected Christ made an appearance to the disciples in a home in Jerusalem. Thomas was not present and when he heard about the event he refused to believe it. Maybe he was the forerunner of modern day cynicism. Maybe the news simply sounded too good to be true. Thomas said: Unless I feel the nail prints in his hands I will not believe. Thomas has separated himself from the disciples and therefore, in his solitude, missed the resurrection appearance. Here, John Suggests, that Christ appears most often within the community of believers that we call the church, and when we separate ourselves from the church we take a chance on missing his unique presence. But the story doesn't end here. The second time Jesus made his appearance, Thomas was present and this time he too witnessed the event. This time he Encountered Jesus and believed in him.  

 
In this Encounter, Jesus with his merciful heart did not blame Thomas for doubting. He understood that once Thomas worked through his doubts, he would be one of the surest men in all Christendom. Therefore, dear friends in Jesus, it is not fair to equate doubt with disbelief; for a sincere doubt leads to the discovery of the truth. In fact on the cross Jesus cried out, "Father, why have you forsaken me?" At a given time in history, even Jesus had doubts.   

If you remember well your faith classes, the authentic faith always begins with intellectual honesty, and doubt is the bedrock of honesty. Therefore, faith is not the absence of doubt; it is the overcoming of doubt. May be Thomas and his friends at the beginning were having similar doubt. Is resurrection a reality? Are the scoffers correct? Is it all simply an ancient myth? It was Alfred Lloyd Tennyson who said: "There lives more faith in honest doubt than in half the creeds." So we find ourselves crying out, as did the disciple who said “My Lord and my God,” I believe, Help thou my unbelief.   

The Second message that we learn from Thomas is that we must move beyond doubt to faith. It is in this journey that the Lord transforms doubt into faith and gives us His peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit. In fact Peace be with you is the greeting Jesus made after his resurrection. True peace is perhaps the most sought after gift in our modern word. We believe that the true source of unending peace - Christ. Believe in Christ and you will be a proud owner of a peaceful heart. Peace with ourselves, accepting ourselves as we are and trying to be faithful to our Christian conscience. Peace with others through the practice of mutual respect and by learning to forgive one another. Peace with God, the source and ultimate goal of our quest for peace. Giving them his Spirit, Jesus gives his Apostles the power to remit sins; thus he makes human beings participate in his triumph over evil and sin. The Risen Lord gives Thomas who did not believe the testimony of his fellow Apostles a lesion which is significant also for us: it is necessary to pass from vision to faith. The new mode of life of the Risen Lord means that he cannot be known as an earthly man, but as one who is present to us in the sacraments and in the life of the Church.

In the first reading, we are told that the community was drawn to the lord by the powerful testimony of the apostles. In fact by this act testimony the entire community was of one heart and soul. This oneness in Jesus made them to recognise each other as their own brothers and sisters. As a consequence, they begin to share everything in fraternity of Jesus. So much was their fraternity that one among them named Barnabas meaning son of encouragement sold a field and gave the money to the apostles.

The second reading tells us that it is faith that conquers the world. Johns says that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. As his children we are encouraged to love God and love obey his commandments. Only those who love him can obey his commandments because they believe that Jesus is the son of God. And so for them it is not burdensome to obey his ways. This is what the first reading says that the first Christians loved Jesus and so they obeyed his commandments by loving one another and by sharing their goods with each other in the name of God.   

Christ is the divine mercy. From his birth to His resurrection His life is a complete account of mercy of God. Throughout the history of the world when mankind has turned away from God and begun to ‘wander aimlessly’ like a lost frightened child God in His mercy has sent us special prophets, saints and at times even our lady, to point out our mistakes and lead us back to Him. In 1925 Jesus Himself personally came to correct and guide mankind through His special instrument Sr. Faustina. He tells Sr. Faustina that the consequence of this wandering, rejection and lukewarmness towards God is a great feeling of uneasiness, confusion and lack of peace in the world. He gave her the mission to proclaim His mercy to the whole world.   

If love and mercy is the nature of God, then His sons and daughters too, created in His image and recreated into the image of His son are called to become mercy. ‘Be Merciful just as your Heavenly Father is Merciful.’ Let us in this Eucharist allow God’s mercy to flow into our hearts so that in turn we could be merciful to others. This Thomas and the early Christians did. Having seen the Risen Jesus himself, having touched and felt him, he made that profound act of faith as he exclaimed: “My Lord and my God.” We cannot place our hands in the side of Jesus as Thomas did.  But we can place our Trust in the Testimony of Scriptures. Touching plays a very imp role in human life.  Children get their 1^st taste of life from the way they are touched. Wounds need to be touched, if not how they will be healed. Thomas was a wounded man:  wounded by grief, loneliness, unbelief and despair.  He too needed a touch.