MERCY; A Compassionate Cry...

The solemn proclamation of the Jubillee Year of Mercy by Pope Francis is a blessing for all the Christians across the world. It is an opportunity for us to be compassionate towards our neighbours. For, it is the hallmark of Christianity to love all despite of the differences of creed, community and complexion. From here emerges Mercy as the concept of Christian Identity. For, God himself was merciful towards His chosen race Israel. Right from the beginning of the Bible; from the book of Genesis to Revelation we see God’s mercy flowing at every moment in the life of Israel; from the fall of our first parents up to now...

            On the contrary humanity has been projecting itself odd and indifferent to God’s unconditional Mercy; be it Crusades, Jihads, Holy Wars, Inquisitions, World Wars, Fundamentalism, Racism, Immorality and Inequality. Unfortunately these negative elements are also the effects of our civilization. This unveils how humanity has been progressing but in a wrong way. As a result we have developed a conscience that backs us to live anyhow and somehow provided we thrive in life. How sinful it is to live with this attitude?  

Thus our inclination to sin made us forget that in the name of Jesus we have redemption and forgiveness. Despite of our sin and frailties, God is loving and forgiving. Scriptures tell us “God loved the world that he gave his only son so that whoever believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” Jesus in his short span of life showed us the forgiving face of the Father. The nature of the father is to give and forgive. To which our response shall be Submission and Surrender no matter how wretched is our soul and how wicked is our mind. Because, Jesus tells us that he “came not for the righteous but for the sinners.” This is how God wished to reach the unreached. How fortunate we are to have such a loving God?  

To Be Merciful Like the Father...

Jesus’ life mirrors the compassionate heart of the father who never abandons us. He longs for us to come home, no matter in what situation we are in. St James 4:8 challenges us to “draw close to God and He will draw near to you.”  Jesus in his blood, passion and death has won life and forgiveness for us. He showed us on the cross God’s love and mercy. No doubt, every cross speaks to us of the love of Jesus for us. Unfortunately we fail to listen to the Cry of Jesus, for Mercy, for forgiveness and for Compassion. Scriptures tell us that “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Isaiah 60: 1. Therefore, his cry on the cross is truly a cry of Compassion and Mercy. How blessed are we to be loved unconditionally?

Once in Heaven, as God the Father was going for his walk, St Peter came running and asked God, the scriptures say that “your love is unconditional,” If so why there is no place for devil in heaven? God smiled at Peter and said, “My love is Unconditional and my Mercy is in abundance, but then the devil never asked me for pardon.” Yes friends, God is full of love and compassion. It is our duty to approach him and receive love and forgiveness. Because God’s nature is to give, give and forgive. We need to be humble and sincere to ourselves. For, when we are sincere, God will bless us abundantly. The fact is that without the love and mercy of God nothing is possible. It is God’s mercy and kindness that keeps the human world afloat; because His mercy is an assurance of Grace and love. (Ephe 1: 7, in him we have redemption and through his blood the forgiveness of sins.   

  

Very often young people ask questions like, why does God love human beings? And why does he command us to love? I believe the answer is simple; the fruit of love is to love back. Hence, God loves us and forgives us that we may love and forgive our fellow brothers and sisters. God is merciful to us that we may be merciful to others. This is exactly the purpose of God’s goodness and kindness. If we are keen about the Ten Commandments, of which first three are related to God and the seven are related to our neighbour; because it is not enough to love God but that love of God should be shared and experienced with our brothers and sisters in everyday life. This is why our Rector’s Major invites us through the Strenna of the Year “With Jesus, let us adventure in the Spirit together,” (with our brothers and sisters).

I wish that this Jubilee Year of Mercy be a Grace at our disposal to GIVE ourselves to the other and thus may we become the agents of MERCY and LOVE like Jesus who cried compassionately for Mercy.   

SHTC EXPERIENCES TRANSITUS

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

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

INDEPENDENCE DAY SPEECH 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jai Hind.

Kuble...

naresh neelam,sdb

shtc,shillong...

15th August,2015

YOUTH CENTRES: A FACE OF DON BOSCO

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

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

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

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

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

Few Questions to Reflect...

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

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

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

                        

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GRATUITOUS GOD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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