GRACE...!

Karl Rahner: Aware of the great danger, a gap between lived piety and abstract theology. Hence, his concern was to bridge this gap with the help of scripture and the church doctrines. With the help these two tools scripture and church doctrines we can illumine our experience and thus be guided in our spiritual journey. He aimed to show, how the scripture can illumine our living and the teaching of the church to guide our daily life. Thus theology as a whole can help people to build a relationship with Christ. Therefore, he even emphasized that theology should be scientific so that it could be relevant to the changing times and thus be a source of spiritual inspiration. Such a theology will answer the questions and the doubts of the changing times. Likewise it will be a rich heritage of the Christian tradition that avails the spiritual needs of the faithful.    Rahner emphasizes how theology has a correlation task: First of all theology should show the specific Ch...

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...

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 Fran...

“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. ...

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 ...

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 w...

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...