Philosophical learning in priestly formation

                                                                                > Fr. Conrad Saldanha

I have often come across well meaning Catholics who ask me about the need for philosophical study in the formation of priests. “Is philosophical study necessary for the formation of priests?” they ask. 

My personal opinion is No, not necessary.

The emphasis on philosophical study is a post Vatican I (1869-1870) phenomenon and was encouraged by Pope Leo XIII in 1879 through his encyclical letter; Aeterni Patris.  Pope Leo XIII revisited and developed the First Vatican Council's teaching on the relationship between faith and reason. He believed that philosophical thinking contributes in fundamental ways to faith and theological learning.  He particularly laid emphasis on the Thomistic philosophy (St. Thomas Aquinas) seeing in it an extraordinary wisdom; “he reasoned (i.e. St. Thomas Aquinas) in such a manner that in him there is wanting neither a full array of questions, nor an apt disposal of the various parts, nor the best method of proceeding, nor soundness of principles or strength of argument, nor clearness and elegance of style, nor a facility for explaining what is abstruse.” (Aeterni Patris-17)

 

If we understand the process that theology takes then we will be able to put things into perspective; the compulsions or otherwise of such an action.

To begin with we need to define what theology is all about.

It can be defined as the believer's search for an understanding of the faith.

This mission of theologizing begins with the believer. Primarily, a believer need not be an intellectual or the one who has understood the essence of life and God. A believer can be a practical person who may not be able to explain the reasons why he believes in certain aspects of life. Yet he in his heart knows for sure that what he believes is right. An ideal example we have is the Apostle Peter; “Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom we shall go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68-69)

Though sometimes what one believes with conviction may not necessarily be right.  This is well understood and discussed in epistemology and for the Christian this limitation of knowledge and convictions are put forth by the Word of God: “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.(Prov.14:12, 16:25) More so, for a Christian, he believes not by his intellectual prowess but by God’s mercy. For, if God would not have chosen to reveal himself then we would not have been able to know God. The incarnation of Jesus is the proof of God’s mercy revealed to humanity and continues to be revealed.  The faithful proclamation of the good news by the Church is participation as instruments into this mystery of God’s constant and merciful revelation.

If the Thomistic Philosophy or scripture asserts that we can know God through our reason then it has to be understood that this is possible because of his revelation. God’s merciful action in creation and in the lives of individuals is to lead them to believe in the truth of Him who alone can save us.  Whatever theories St. Thomas has propounded, concerning God and his existence, has been because of his upbringing in a Christian setup and background, having before him the vast riches and writings of his predecessors centuries before him.

Now this faith, which the believer experiences, is either put to test or believed with conviction depending on one’s faith or intellectual mindset. Remember, faith is an encounter with the living God and therefore an experience in that sense. This experience is not like the experience of the yogi which is an experience minus encounter and hence a warped experience of the universe along with himself, whereby he becomes god; pantheism.

For a Christian, it is a process accomplished at an intellectual level and yet, the intellect is realized to be far more inferior to the experience and the believer feels the limitation of the intellect or rational mind to fully comprehend the Almighty and the ineffable mystery. (Cfr. Eph. 3:19, I Cor. 13:9, Phil. 4:7)

Hence faith is pre-existent to sound reason and is the beginning. One does not require having a sound reason and an intellect to attain the salvific experience. “And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hb. 11:6). Even though there may be elements of reason used, yet the inquiry aspect of reason has to be set aside in order to believe.

It is only this believer, who has encountered God and knows the limitations of his intellectual power and reasoning who then has the right to theologize. Hence theologizing is an exercise in total humility. Greater the humility, greater will be the rational flow of wisdom, which could then be termed as theology. It is a humility that acknowledges one’s limitation and thus, opens oneself, to the vast ocean of God’s knowledge and love.  To humans it is like an ocean that in spite of it vastness opens itself to the rivers and streams that flow into it.  The theology that flows from humility beautifully manifests itself through parables, allegories and testimonies which witness to God.

Hence rationality or reason is lifted up to a new level. God himself contributes to the growth of sound reason through our formation in the school of the Holy Spirit. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:13. This category of reason can create a great crisis whereby some may find it difficult to understand because they seek him only through their intellect. “The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.” 1 Cor 2:15

Unfortunately, many contemporary entrants into the arena of theologizing are believers fortuitously rather than by conviction. Hence much of their approach to theologizing is based on human reasoning and is a search for the elusive truth which they think is attainable through human inquiry.

On the other hand, the experiences of faith, and the testimony that flows from it, have power to achieve much and are a credible way to communicate the truth of the faith.  Compare this with the reasoning of faith. Jesus was a man of much reason and intellectual wisdom yet rarely argued but communicated the faith through much power and authority and through simple instructions accompanied by mighty signs and wonders. "Go and tell John what you hear and see:  the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. Matt 11:4-5. This action of Jesus is no theology but practical expression of God’s power which has the power to instruct and proclaim. Theologians may give it various shades of interpretation, but it is futile if it doesn’t build up the body of Christ. Such possibilities exist with the so called theologians who claim a right to theology not because they are believers in the true sense of the term, but because they are so, on account of their certification by human institutions.

According to epistemology there is an inherent lacuna in understanding the truth of life and experiences. This is where the Word of God, tradition and the extraordinary experience of Holy men and women through history helps us in this walk.  Added to this, are the fruit which Jesus talks about, and above all the working of God’s Holy Spirit who confirms in our hearts the truth of faith. Hence, Christian faith is not a blind adherence to something, but each according to the measure of his faith finds an answer in a living relationship with the living God, a sure truth, who speaks to us every moment of our lives. Hence we have a comprehensive repertoire of references to live and assert our faith in truth.

Hence, theology as understood, is the primary knowledge, but yet it is not the ultimate knowledge. The existential experiences of life, whereby, we are called to be witnesses, have to be acknowledged at least, in keeping with the simplicity of the objective truth of faith. In this objective experiences, God is at work through the power of his Holy Spirit, whereby we can, become witnesses of Christ; witnessing to the truth. (Jn. 14:6) This is practical theology where faith doesn’t just seek an understanding, but a faith that seeks to announce to the world the good news which one experiences in oneself. Good news that is the truth. Good news which is practical and experiential to the point, where one may even convincingly offer oneself, as a living sacrifice to God for humanity. This form of proclamation and witnessing is able to achieve a lot more than the reasoned theological expression of faith.

Therefore, there needs to be a paradigm shift to the church’s approach to formation. A theology that acknowledges its limitation and the same time gives precedence to God’s constant intervention in calling witnesses to labor in his vineyard.  The primary aim of formation should to be to make disciples who are equipped to witness rather than be apologetic’s who merely defend or become individuals who live in the world of ideas.

The aim of this article is not to underestimate or to push into oblivion the philosophical enquiry and learning but rather to put into perspective, the role of such education in priestly formation. In no way one can devalue the great contribution of philosophical thought and learning which made a great contribution to the growth of learning in Europe. The Church would do well and even better if Philosophy was either relegated into the background or taught along the way, when theological enquiry demands it in the primary formation and lay more emphasis on the faith dimension.

One could even vibe with Pope Leo XIII concerning Thomistic Philosophy; “that reason, borne on the wings of Thomas to its human height, can scarcely rise higher, while faith could scarcely expect more or stronger aids from reason than those which she has already obtained through Thomas.” (Aeterni Patris-18) Though the angelic doctor’s philosophy could be credited with the great positive contribution to the church and society yet to impose it so as to create straight jacket uniformity is a danger to the work of the Spirit.  It could be the standard but cannot be mode or vehicle for all training.

The Angelic doctor’s wisdom did not come from enquiry with self as believed by the great Socrates but rather from God. And this same God who is at work in creation is still at work. Hence the primary formation is always to teach one to depend on this God and receive from him and then from his servants as to be confirmed in the faith.

To the world it is Philosophy which seeks to understand and interpret life, and is considered to be the mother of all knowledge. But to us Christian sound theology is the mother of all knowledge. It helps us to put into perspective every other science and knowledge.  Yet theology is not the ultimate, because it is neither the source nor the summit. God is the ultimate source and summit of all truth and wisdom. What he offers is not just the feeding of the intellect but also a feeding of the sensual for life.  Hence, it has to be broadened and inclusive of the divine interventions in life.

Prayer: God our Father, guide your church into the wisdom of glory, so that in humility we may seek to serve you in the simplicity of faith.

Discovering Mary - Part II

There are many lines of attack against Mary. They can either be grouped as essentials or non-essentials. But the essential key aspect is that Mary has a role to play in the salvific mission of Christ.

Let’s begin with Mary’s creature-hood. Mary is a created being like any other human, while Jesus is begotten of the Father and not a created being. The prophetic passage in the third chapter of the book of Genesis gives an indication that Mary is indeed - the unique creation of God. (Refer Part I of this article)

Mary’s creature-hood presents to mankind that aspect of the love of God, which is seen in his commitment to save us. “But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Gal 4:4-5). We came under the Law on account of sin inherited in the womb itself. We are now redeemed by the Son who chose to be born under the law and in the womb of a woman prepared by God to participate in the work of redemption.

Creation aspires to god-hood and to eternity; a desire first seen in Eve and now fulfilled in the action of God through Mary. In the blog article on ‘The Body and Blood of Christ’ of June 24, the aspect of divinization is explained at length. (cfr. Rm. 8: 19-23) The human aspirations are met in God’s redemptive action,  which first began in the banishment from Paradise, the preparation of a chosen race from the descendants of Abraham, through the given promise, then the giving of the commandments  through Moses, and all that happened and God did, through the prophets in this interim period. This action of God’s redemption is seen with Mary, a mere creature used as God’s instrument to redeem creation.

Let’s delve deeper in - Mary’s participation in the redemptive work of Christ:

1)      The first instance found in scripture of Mary’s participation in the redemptive work is, when Mary co-operates with God’s action with total faith and trust. (Lk.1:26-38). She is placed in a very rare situation. Through the annunciation of the Angel, Mary has been invited to believe and participate in an action, which was never seen in scripture before. Mary reasoned, but did not show an iota of doubt. Sound faith is based on sound reason; a reason that acknowledges that God is capable of much more than our limited vision can perceive. “And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."” (Luke 1:38). Normally, one dwells only on the second part of the statement. But it is the first part of the sentence that is full of richness and meaning concerning Mary’s attitude to God’s Word. The second part completes it specifically in context. The first part of the sentence says that being a handmaid; “his word is my command”.  I (Mary) listen and have been listening to him in everything, and now, even in this, let it be done to me according to thy word. Thus being a perfect servant of God’s word she was found worthy for a greater responsibility. “He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10 & 19:17)

Jesus evidently supports this truth about Mary’s life when he asserts, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11:28) This is well qualified earlier by Elizabeth, who utters these words under the power of the Holy Spirit; “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." Luke 1:45.

Mary’s yes is a significant yes, she not only says yes to be the Jesus’ mother, but also to be the highly favored of God and be filled in the fullness of God’s Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works in us to sanctify and make us holy. While in Mary, her holiness is revealed by this power that would overshadow her; a vessel separated for God is now made visible.

2)      In the visitation to Elizabeth (Lk.1:39-56), we have a second instance of her participation in God’s redemptive action. We see an eager expectant Mary reaching out to her neighbor in need. What’s the best gift to give, if not Christ and his life?  Mary is a perfect model of Christian charity and love. She witnesses by her deeds. But these deeds are not as we understand them.

A witness is one who has seen, encountered or experienced a situation. The concept of witnessing by deeds propagating just pure moral character is the usual misconception. Hence witnessing is always about and towards someone or something. If Mary were to visit Elizabeth apart from ‘her encounter with God’ then we could appreciate her act of kindness, but it would in no way represent an act of witnessing.

In keeping with the necessary criteria for witnessing, Mary first encountered God’s power through the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. This ocean of grace and power is now ideal to be a powerful witness of God’s love and power. This can be seen in her deed. As soon as Elizabeth hears the sound of her greetings there is a cascading effect of healing, joy and peace. The ultimate fruit is the recognition of God’s presence and grace by Elizabeth.

The scriptures tell us that Elizabeth is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit; John the Baptist finds healing which is signified by his leaping with joy. In a way, Mary also becomes an instrument of Baptism. Even before Jesus or John could begin their public ministry or even visibly appear on the scene; Mary the baptizer. Elizabeth recognizes the honorable place of Mary in God’s plan of salvation and then to her Mary discloses her heart in the great Magnificat. Mary’s song of praise is not a public song of stupendous display of one’s qualities, but a private song of humble self-disclosure to the one who has shown her wisdom to receive such sacred messages of God’s magnificent workings. "Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you.” (Matt 7:6). Elizabeth communicates such openness by her words of wisdom and faith and we see it in the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit on her.

This action of Mary is what witnessing in the power of the Holy Spirit is all about. The fruit thereof is true empowerment of Elizabeth and the child in her womb.

3)      In the gospel of John (Jn. 2: 1-11), there is another instance of Mary’s participation in the salvific mission of Christ. Just as in the upper room Mary was gathered with the disciples (Acts 1:14), likewise in Cana, Mary is presented as the consequential presence to receive the wine of gladness. Mary is the surest, quickest and effective way to receive from Jesus. In life, this is often seen and we don’t have problems believing this reality of life. But when it comes to Mary and the saints, we falter in our faith even though this is revealed in the miracle at Cana.

An advocate is not needed to get work done but yet he is consulted for the purpose and fulfillment of an important need. Likewise, children may find it easier to communicate to one of their parent their needs, through the other parent. If they have to communicate to their father or their elder brother/sister, they know that they will be able to do it better through their mother, who understands them all, and communicates, either with her authority or a level of wisdom or familiarity.

Likewise, in the miracle at Cana, Mary’s mediation is able to achieve that which would have been impossible with others. Even if someone had approached Jesus directly, Jesus’ reaction shown to his mother would have created a great feeling of rejection and hurt in that person. But Mary, a true servant knows how to accept every situation humbly.

On the other hand, some have interpreted the reaction of Jesus towards his mother as a rejection of her motherhood over him. Some even quote the Lukan text (Lk.11: 27-28) or the Matthean text (Mt. 12:50) to support their thinking.

This relationship was not meant to be just an earthly relationship, but an eternal relationship.  Those who interpret these gospel texts of the miracle at Cana as detachment or rejection should read the text in the context of the Crucifixion.  The crucifixion scene, in John’s Gospel, reveals the profound relationship of Jesus with his mother (Jn.19:26-27).   In Matthew’s Gospel it may seem, from the text following, that Jesus is rejecting his relationship with his mother. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Matt 12:50). But through the Gospel of John we can confidently assert that Jesus never rejected this relationship of Mother and Son and carried it forth to his disciples. In conclusion, the realization is that just as every disciple is in need of his Heavenly Father; he also needs a mother as given to him by Jesus.

Finally, once we are convinced of Mary’s role in the salvific mission of Christ, then we should not have  difficulty in entering deeply into the mystery of God revealed in his creation (Rm.1:20) and now supremely in Mary, the greatest among his creation. Just as in food without the humble salt – the key ingredient, the taste and flavor of food cannot be appreciated and benefited from, likewise, is the doctrine of Mary’s role. Believing that the primary role of Mary is in the salvific mission of Christ is like adding the right and essential ingredient to food i.e. the humble salt. This belief, if firmly adhered to will resolve our doubts in the other non-essential ingredients that normally tends to bother us.

PRAYER – Come Holy Spirit and inspire us to all the truth that we need to know about Mary, for as we seek her intercession, she will unfailingly, lead us to Jesus her son.

                                                           -  Fr. Conrad Saldanha.

Discovering Mary - Part I

At an inter-denominational gathering, I met a Doctor who had studied in a Christian medical college. She shared with me, doubts that had arisen in her mind, during the course of her   formation, concerning certain aspects of the Catholic faith.  As it happens, in such debates, one of the first in the line of attack is the Catholic’s devotion to Mary. 

Devotion to the Blessed Mary was for me, a discovery through perseverance and diligent openness to God’s guidance.  Though as a young boy, we as a family prayed the Rosary and the other prayers, I thank God for his great mercies, for having given me this privilege and grace, to know about one of his great actions in history for the salvation of the human race.

Mary is synonymous to Catholic sentiments and spirituality. Along with the revelation of God’s Word which extols Mary, the many senseless attacks against the Catholic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary are challenges for the human race, to seek and discover the prime place Mary has in the salvific mission of Christ. 

Empirical reason and explanations:

The Christian belongs to God’s Kingdom. The world view we hold on to, is, that God, in his great mercy and love has taken us out from the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of his beloved son; an existential reality.  A kingdom established by the death of Jesus on the Christ. We are received into the kingdom by faith, and sustained each day, through the exercise of constant trust. Hence, a Christian is one who is at constant war against the forces of darkness, a spirit of rebellion at work in godless men for whom religion is only a means for self gain.

In the history of the human race, the first battles were fought without any fortifications. But as they became wise, fortifications and ramparts were built to protect themselves against their enemies, and to live a peaceable life.  Likewise is the difference, between the Catholic faith and the other denominations.  Perhaps, this could be the reason why the Catholics are so comfortable and laid back against the great onslaught of the evil one, and lack the fervor and zeal shown by many of the breakaways groups. We are too comfortable with the fortifications of the Sacraments, the saints and the help of the sacramental’s, that it does not matter to us whether we know the essence of the faith or not.

The battle of the neo –Christians is the battle of the field. Their zeal under the banner of Christ is what will enable them to conquer and gain eternal life both for themselves and for others.

In a battle there are various formations. Those on the periphery or on the battle front are the first to be attacked. They are the loyal ones who are there because of their loyalty and their invincibility in the great battle. They are the ones who have been   there as armors because they have been conquered for Christ.  One of the greatest weapons of Satan is doubt, besides envy and jealousy.  By creating such feelings of doubt, and through their envy and jealousy, coupled with their greed, some have been hitting out at the Catholic beliefs; the very first line of defense. Those who have been in the ministry of deliverance can vouch for the great intercession and help of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the deliverance and salvation of souls.

2) In the third chapter of the Book of Genesis we have a relational angle to the whole question of Mary’s role in the salvation of mankind.  While the whole human race is under the power of sin, Mary in retrospect is revealed to us as the one prepared by God at the beginning of creation. The prophetic message also reveals to us that her relationship with Satan is that of enmity (Gen. 3:15). This is unlike the human relationship with Satan. God in Christ Jesus came to establish his kingdom in our hearts and through faith and baptism takes us out from this kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of his beloved (Col.1:13; 1Pt.2: 9-10).

Mary was born belonging to the kingdom of light. She was not   under the yoke of Satan and his dark world. The prophetic message clearly reveals the special place of the woman, whom we see as Mary having a pivotal role to play in the salvation of the human race.

3) God entrusted to her his wealth; “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possession.” Matt 24:45-47 Similarly, Mary was the one who was found faithful in God household. For humans it is much easy to pass judgment and criticize. They make their pre-judgments even about God.  Hence, God entrusts her with all his possession. 

When a Man goes on a mission and if he has to keep his most precious goods in safe custody, then he will definitely hand it over to his most trusted and loyal servant or friend.  Similarly God had entrusted the savior of the world to his most beloved and trust worthy handmaid (Lk.1:38), whom all generations should call blessed (Lk.1:48).

All good learning does not come from the education industry or schools of training; it also depends on the background and training that one receives in a family.  Just as the Apostle Paul lays his claim to learning not from the other Apostles but to a revelation of Christ, similarly Jesus too was taught by his heavenly Father. But one must remember that though Paul was taught by God, his background and training in the philosophies of the Greek and under the great Gama’liel definitely helped him excel and do better than the others. In the Gospel of Luke (Lk.2:41-52), we have an insight in to the great family atmosphere in which Jesus grew and his mother playing that essential role through much patience and sound reasoning and constantly pondering on God’s eternal word made flesh in her womb and now dwelling with her.

God working out his plan: Can God begin a task and leave it incomplete; or do it in a shoddy way? In the saving action accomplished by Jesus on the Cross it was the sin of one man (Adam) that brought death to the human race, so also through the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross we are saved. (Rm. 5:12)

4) The woman was instrumental in the first sin and played a major role in that great fall. God working out his plan of salvation includes both men and women. Since the damage to the human race was through a woman so likewise in the work of salvation God chose a woman to accompany his Son as the new eve who will assist her Son to destroy the work of the evil one.  Mary too has a role to play in the great restoration which God has proclaimed in his Son Jesus. (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." Luke 2:35     

Prayer: Immaculate heart of Mary, Pray for us that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

                                                                            -fr. conrad saldanha 

The Body and Blood of Christ

Why has God given us the body and blood of Christ to eat and drink of? How can we as human beings digest such a thought of having the body and blood of a human being? Isn't this cannibalism?

Eating and drinking:   is an ordinary daily exercise. We generally eat at least three meals a day. We eat in order to live and not live in order to eat. Yet the latter may be true with many of us, and thus many have to bear the various complications that result thereof. 

Once sitting with a friend in a restaurant and as we were served the meal, my friend seeing the pieces of green chilies remarked; “My doctor has advised me to avoid green chilies at any cost as it reduces your life span. I said under my breath; “Who wants to live long?”  Yet I cannot ask him this question because the reality is different; we are in the rat race for survival and only the fittest will survive.

So we have the diet regimen, the exercise regimen, the health foods and vitamins.

A doctor was once sharing with me about a patient who would regularly frequent his dispensary even in good health. He believed that only a regular consumption of tablets which the doctor gave him kept him healthy.  Though we had a hearty laugh over the whole issue yet the reality is, more or less, the same with most of us.  Flavonoids, Polyphenolic compounds and anti-oxidants and vitamins are the in thing, in the race for health and survival. Modern science spends billions on research into longevity and survival on Anti aging molecules and age defiers.

There are also, seekers after divinity and spiritual well-being, who go to any extent to deify themselves.  From basic hunger for power to rule over people and subjugate them according to their own goals and vision for life, to seeking to enter into divine bliss. This seeking has often entered a metaphysical world in which humans have even sought to dominate the dark spiritual world, by seeking prowess through the pseudo-science of Astrology, black magic, witchcraft and other esoteric practices. They have an element of power which is often used for wicked purposes, and even if they are deemed well, in the human sense of the term, they lead the seeker away from the one true living God, to the god of their own making.

Human effort to become supreme and divine is an age old desire. This desire is steeped in his ability to know and learn. It is the desire that spurs the mind to seek after an entity, that is higher than his present reasoning; a knowledge that will free him, from the bondages of pain and suffering and death. Since death is the inevitable suffering, humans seek to prolong this life. They have found success in the modern medicines to a large extent. We have people who live long to a grand old age on account of the developments in modern science and nutrition. Yet, ultimately they have to ultimately submit to death, because God has submitted us to its power.

Yet in the midst of this we have the age old medicinal systems that offer a solution to the immediate and particular suffering of humanity. There are many who are carried away by modern Gnosticism of Yoga, Vippassana, Zen and its various branches of philosophies. The focus of this philosophies and practices are based on irrational logic and immediate gratification and gain.  They either make you feel that you are god or cut you off from the reality of the one true God as revealed by Jesus.  These are philosophies which are based on human efforts and negate the great merciful and free gift of God offered in the sacrifice of his Jesus on the cross.

The innate desire to conquer, survive, achieve, dominate and rise above one’s present ability is something unique to humans.  This desire, in almost every human being, reaches, stretches unto eternity and the ultimate desire - to be gods. Every human being with a capacity to think has it. One either seeks to achieve it through renunciation, or through such accumulation which shows power and strength. Since this is intrinsic and innate to us, either at a micro or macro level, and if not accomplished we seek unjust, illegal and illicit way to achieve these goals. Those who make themselves God apart from the offer of God, ultimately want to put themselves on a higher position then God himself. They may even use the langauge or the concept of going beyond oneself and going beyond images and symbols. According to the Christian faith, satan wanted to go beyond and ascend even higher than God. Even, we could be doing this unwittingly under his deception.

God has created us with such innate capacity to seek excellence and the highest good, but minus the evil designs. We are still human raised to the level of God. In the incarnation of his Son Jesus, God meets us at this intensity in order to raise us to his level; the highest level beyond which there is nothing but eternity; a level where creature and creator meet on almost equal footing. 

His level means participation into the very life of God - beginning here.  It begins first with the faith and confidence in the providence of God and his presence with us; Emmanuel; God with us. It starts with a firm belief in the saving action of God, who justifies us through the saving action of Jesus on the cross. This justification once accomplished on the cross and in those who believe and are baptized continues to exert in our lives, a sanctification, until it is brought to completion on the day of Christ. It requires our constant yes; the yes that we once said at baptism has to be renewed at every baptism of fire the faithful may undergo.

The feeding on the Body and blood of Christ is both a symbolic and an existential reality to help us in this pilgrim walk.  So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed”. Jn. 6:53-55

God in Christ Jesus has given himself to us: So that we may share in his very life, a life which is eternal and everlasting; life abundant (Jn. 10:10). This life will enable us to face the death threats of daily life as we begin to believe in the invincibility of ourselves in Christ Jesus. More so, we shall not be afraid to be like the grain that falls into the soil and dies. We too will die likewise to the many sinful tendencies and desires including the desire to be like god though the wickedness of human philosophies and ideologies and strivings.

Those who ignore this reality of Christ presence with us as soul and divinity ignores God’s offer to deify us and instead opts to feed his own innate desire with his own goals and agenda.  “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13

We are quickened in the process of divinization by the Body and Blood of Christ through faith. The process is based on justice and truth. This justice is the accomplishment of God’s righteousness offered at the holy exchange of the cross. There are no shortcuts. Through faith one repents of one’s sinfulness and recalls one’s unworthiness and the blood of Christ cleanses them from all dead works and produces life.  One cannot attain God even with a superlative mantra or mind training or beating the body to submission apart from reconciliation to the will of God.

Long life achieved through practice of holistic spiritualities and rigour in no way is a guarantee of eternal life. It may lead to long life but not eternal life. This can well be compared to black money economy, in which the person who hoards can live an abundant life (in the material sense of the term) but when the law catches up with such a one, they end up condemned.  Similarly we may live a long healthy life through holistic spiritualities or is it a make believe world of good health, whatever, but the consequence is this; when the Day of Judgment catches up then they shall stand condemned for their actions.

Prayer:  Father in heaven, we thank you for the gift of life you offer us through Jesus. We thank you for his great sacrifice and offering of his Body and Blood which brings eternal life to all who receive him. May we value the Eucharist as your great gift to sanctify us and lead us to eternity. 

                                                              ::::::::Fr. Conrad Saldanha

Trinity: an invitation to enter into the life of God.

It’s the season of the great feasts in the church. We shall soon be celebrating the feast of the Most Holy Trinity. One God but three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Each equally God and yet one God. 

The mystery of the Trinity has baffled many Christians and they have often shunned entering into the depth of the mystery; the mystery revealed to us by Jesus through the promised Holy Spirit. The primary way in which God brings us into his life is by once again breathing into us mortals his very own life - the Holy Spirit. He gives life to our mortal bodies, so that alive with his power we may now participate in his own life. You cannot exterminate, crush or vanquish this life. Thus as Christians who have been made alive by God through the grace of Baptism, we will grow as we cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the work of rejuvenation which he freely undertakes in us; “for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure”. Phil 2:13

The concept of the Trinitarian God is unique to Christianity. God has revealed himself to us in his triune nature so that we may share in the same life that he himself shares with himself, in total fellowship and love. “..that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ” 1 John 1:3.

Just as in a family all relationships begin with the fatherhood, likewise in our Christian life every relationship begins with the Fatherhood of God. The sin of humanity in this existential situation is not to recognize God as Father.  God overlooked the times of ignorance , but now he commands all men everywhere to repent” Acts 17:30. The very reason Jesus came was to reveal to us God as our loving Father and through faith in Him to find our ultimate fulfilment. Our fulfilment comes primarily through our relationship with him and not by good works; if good works was the criteria then the Lord, in the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 10, would perhaps have asked Cornelius to carry on with his good works and would not have had the apostle Peter called from Joppa.  God is sustenance for the soul just as food is sustenance for the body. Divine food is of far more value than earthly mission or food. This is not just a New Testament teaching but a teaching from the beginning; “.. that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone”.  Deut 8:3

The Holy Spirit who binds us into this relationship was introduced to us by Jesus in a new and dynamic way. We can now choose to live this life of grace and unity with God and with one another by living in this powerful fellowship or reject it to live a self-centered life, creating our own small ghetto community.

Jesus is the invisible head and the source of our unity while the Pope is the visible head and the sign of unity in the Church; a unity achieved through the promised Holy Spirit. Unity is often mistaken as uniformity as humans are often comfortable with this straight jacket kind of uniformity. Unfortunately, there are also some in the church who are working for this kind of unity resulting in a lack of the divine gifts in the church in the measure in which it was meant to be (1Cor. 12:4ff).  There is a flourishing of all kinds of rebellious doctrine and rational workings in the church of God and under domineering authorities in many places.  

For this we need to learn from the Trinity. Though each are equally God, yet they have different roles in the hierarchy of order. There is no room for jealousy and envy in the roles they perform.

The Trinity is not an abstract revelation but a reality whose mark we find in the created things of God. In other words, ‘God has left his mark on creation’.

The first instance of such a mark we find is in the first chapter of Genesis (26-27): “Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them”.

The passage of Scripture gives us an insight into the action of God in creating man: male and female. Like himself he gave them dominion over the works of his hands (Ps. 8:6-8).” For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind” James 3:7

Yet, the greatest mark he has left on us is his triune nature gone off target on account of the disobedience of sin which is at work in us (Rm. 11:32). Man is body, mind and spirit; a three in one! Yet we who know this truth never refer him as three different. We may experience some of the sinful conflict of body, mind and spirit, yet we will not say that they are three different entities. We may ultimately see the body corrupted in death yet we do not look at the human person as different from himself. Some have tried to separate the two or three by terms such as true self. If there is something called the true self then where is the other a false self?

Whether it is the soul that expresses or the mind or body, each so distinct and yet can at time express in great synchronization. In each expression of the mind and soul whether in art or writing we are able to recognize the signature of the man. When we ultimately have to define the person concretely and tangibly then the bodily form becomes the norm for universal recognition. This is so because we largely see through our eyes. 

Likewise, like our body Jesus is the visible, definite and tangible expression of God. “He is the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15a). The eternal Word who always existed with the Father;  “..the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” John 1:14.

Another mark of the Trinity we find in the largest object visible to man and one which sustains life on earth; the Sun.

Sadhu Kartar Singh a Sikh convert to Christ in the late 19^th century was assailed with a deep doubt about the Trinitarian aspect of God.  He took this up before Jesus in Prayer, who revealed to him the truth through the example of the Sun. Though one yet the great heavenly body has three different aspects to it: The mass that exists in the sky, the light that emanates and the energy that it supplies to sustain life on earth.  We may separately identify the Sun through the individual aspects of the Light and Energy, yet the Sun is only one.

Likewise, God who dwells in the highest heaven as Father of us all, manifest himself through the light of Christ and energizes his chosen ones through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Again, if we delve into the great mystery of the smallest atom, we have the proton, neutron and electron and still further as we observe the protons which are positively charged particle we have the quarks and gluons and the magnetic field that binds them.

The magnet which is a great source of energy in the world and has played a gigantic role in the transformation of our present world through the production of electricity is again a great model to explain the Trinitarian aspect of God.  The North Pole and the South Pole and the magnetic field that exists between the two poles in a horse shoe magnet communicate a triune dimension of the invisible God.  

No wonder the Apostle Paul who may have not been exposed to modern scientific findings asserts that God has revealed himself in creation.  “Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made” Rom 1:20. Hence no one can excuse oneself for not knowing God; “So they are without excuse; for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man or birds or animals or reptiles” Rom 1:20-23.

Though no one is excused for not knowing God, a Christian cannot excuse himself for not knowing the Trinity and entering into the mystery of the most Holy Trinity. Jesus has given us his Holy Spirit who will be with us and lead us into all truths. (Jn.16:13).

Prayer:  Lord by your Holy Spirit guide me into all truths and let me be faithful to your calling. Help me to dwell deeply into the mystery of the Trinity and find your rich blessings to lead a life of grace and strength. 

                                                                  )))))))> fr. Conrad Saldanha

THE PROMISED GIFT OF GOD

                                         --fr. Conrad Saldanha

Years ago, when I was ordained to the priesthood, my sister presented me with a cell phone set, minus the SIM card. She missed an opportunity to keep in touch because I never really used the instrument! Two years later when I started the retreat ministry in the Archdiocese of Bombay, the team members, frequently complained about my inaccessibility, especially in matters that needed instant decisions.

The Mobile became a source of contact and easy accessibility. They could, in a way, now keep in touch anytime and anywhere.

Similarly, God has given us his Holy Spirit in baptism, which is God’s presence in us; a dwelling place of God in the Spirit (Eph. 2:22). Through him we are able to be with God and more so, God is with us, Emmanuel. We can now approach his holy throne through the indwelling Holy Spirit and receive from this throne the many blessings and graces he has given us (Eph. 3:12; Heb.4:16), including the fellowship of the saints in glory (Eph. 1: 18). We are able to communicate with the right person; God himself in the spirit (Rm. 8:15; Gal.4:6), while God communicates his wisdom and love to us (Rm.5:5).

As I look into the Scriptures, one of the statements of Jesus, that impresses me, and moves me immensely, is  the one from the Gospel of John;  "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." Jn. 4:10

   

The greatest thirst of humanity is to find that meaning in life which would satisfy him or her totally.

The beauty of the passage is the intense passion in his pleading. It seems to show a sense of concern for the other’s need. The statement reveals the weakness of human nature that seems to know everything and yet is foolish enough, to ignore the essential and necessary aspects of life and survival. It is as if Jesus speaking to the woman is addressing the whole human race; “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you…..”  Truly, if only we knew this great gift of God. Yet, our response is always like the woman; she completely misses the point. Here, we see another aspect of human frailty which is a fall out of our sinfulness; what is communicated and what is understood is quite different. God is patient with our sinfulness and slowness and hence Jesus switches mode and gets to an extraordinary level of communication whereby she recognizes him as prophet. Jesus is indeed that someone extraordinary who is to be trusted even though not fully understood.

Jesus switches mode; from logical arguments to extraordinary sign and appeal. This is deliberately done because Jesus knew that logic doesn’t always work especially when it comes to communicating the things of God to sinful humanity, even though it was the most logical and extraordinary knowledge. She seeing him as a prophet, as that someone extraordinary, is half the problem solved. Now it moves to a level of trust irrespective if I understand Jesus or not. This is exactly what the Apostle Peter does when he is confused and bewildered: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (Jn. 6:68). You are much safer than science, logic, human wisdom or god men or baba’s. You are worthy to be trusted and believed in.    

(Compare with Gen. Chapter 3: In the first temptation in the garden of Eden, the serpents argument is based on pure logic and the woman is impressed, gets converted and reaches out in service to her beloved husband and wins him and through  him the human race.  But this futile service ultimately led to the ruin of human race.)

On the other hand, let’s have a look at the various thirsts that an individual could have besides the basic necessity of food, water, clothing and shelter; it could be wealth, power, acceptance, self-glory, pride, sinful habits and bondages. Rarely is one satisfied with what one has, and always seeks for more. It’s like a person who is given water to quench his thirst and if given a glass of soft drink or beer will gulp that too. Even though the initial thirst has been quenched by water but the underlying thirst for the pleasures of life never dies. Besides these, there is also the thirst to do good, to reach out to the less fortunate, to love and show affection but apart from God, they can be self motivated exercises aiming towards a goal that is normally steeped in self-glory.

To have a thirst is not the problem, but how it is quenched and the whole purpose and goal of such a thirst is where the problem lies. To thirst is the natural desire and is the right thing to have. Where and how it is directed makes it good or evil. What are we quenching our thirst with?

Where will humanity direct its thirst, when they themselves are so confused, and do not know their true destiny, and where to find the ultimate meaning of life. That which is peripheral is mistaken to be the core truth.

Jesus teaches us the ultimate meaning of life and gives our life a direction. Jesus’ revelation of eternity in his resurrection and the importance of the individual in the sight of God are the ultimate thirst every human being craves for in some measure or the other. Where is life’s ultimate destiny and who am I in this journey of life, why do I exist are the very question Jesus has answered for us in this passage of scripture.

1) “the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (Jn. 4:14) – this water will quench the thirst for the search for eternity and help us overcome the negative pulls of sin and death.

2)  “the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship Him” (Jn. 4:23) – This water will help us relate with God in a personal and real way. If God is with us, what else do we require; to quench our many thirsts? In God alone is our real and ultimate fulfillment.

The Holy Spirit is God’s free gift to quench the ultimate and greatest thirst of man; the thirst for the ultimate, the thirst for the absolute truth which will help him find meaning and happiness in life. It is only Jesus who gives him to us. Scripture teaches us that the life of God, which is the Holy Spirit, was poured out for humanity, in all its abundance, on the altar of the cross; “…you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." (Jn. 4:10) Without asking, no spirit!

Jesus is the one who gives us instruction on the Holy Spirit, the promised one. If he was not to be known then Jesus would not have revealed him to us. We need to first know him and the power that he is able to exert in our lives and desire to receive him and allow his working in us. Then only can we have the ‘gift of God’; the Holy Spirit by welcoming him^.

Know him and you will be known by him; Jesus would not have revealed to us the Holy Spirit if he was not to be known and received (Jn.14:17).

What are we missing by not knowing the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the life giver. God only is eternal life and the source of it. We need this life of God for happiness, peace and joy. We need this life to overcome the bondages of life and to live in the freedom of God’s children. We need this life to overcome all those forces that are against life; Satan, sin and death. In other words, our abundance of life is not in being experts or achieving the extraordinary in the world, but in having the Holy Spirit of God, given to us through faith in his Son Jesus to all who ask of him. This Holy Spirit is also received in a faith community where Jesus is the centre.

The Holy Spirit fulfills the above mission through the following way:

1) Ongoing instruction and formation(Jn.16:12-13): Our growth is in growing in the image and likeness of God, as revealed in Christ Jesus; that’s the measure and criteria of growth (Jn.14:26; Lk.12:12);  Instructions for growth and instruction for defense, instructions that will convict us of sin, righteousness and judgment (Jn. 16:8) .

2) Relationship with God: The Holy Spirit helps us in establishing a relationship with God. This relationship helps us withstand the forces of darkness and hostility that seek to draw us away from God and his wisdom (cfr.Jn.14:16-17).  He is the seal and guarantee and it is he alone who can save us unto eternity (2Cor.1:22).

3) Comforter (2Cor.1:4, 7:6): He is our comforter as we journey on this treacherous and difficult path, which cost God’s beloved Son the great pain of being sacrificed on the Cross of humiliation and shame, accompanied with both physical and mental torture.  Similarly, we too will find ourselves victims of the same torture by senseless men in position of power and authority. The Holy Spirit will be our guide and comforter at such moments, even giving us the wisdom to speak the right thing when faced with such trials (Lk.12:12) .

5) Empowering with the gifts: the Holy Spirit is given to usHoly Sp to accomplish Jesus’ mission of enlightening the human race about the importance of one’s soul and the ultimate destiny of each one (Jn.15:26). He paid the price in order to actualize it for us. The Holy Spirit makes us God’s Children and God’s presence in this human world; notch above the rest!  He empowers the church with his gifts to accomplish his mission of building the Church which he has redeemed by his blood (Eph.4:11-13).

6) Character formation and strength: The worship of God in Spirit and truth is the simplest and easy way to form ourselves in his character. If bad company spoils good morals (1Cor. 15:33) likewise the good company of God’s presence in true worship enhances our personalities. The quenching of the thirst makes us secure so as not to seek after worldliness. We are made instruments in service to God and neighbor, for he helps us how to pray (Rm.8:24).

7) Fellowship and love: One of the great fruit of the Holy Spirit is the spirit of unity and fellowship he brings about. (Acts 2:44-45). He does it!

These are the elements that make the church alive to face and even convert the world, rejecting these actions of the Holy Spirit is much more serious than any abuse in the church. It’s the same as sinning against the Holy Spirit; a grievous sin (Mt. 12:32; Mk. 3:29; Lk. 12:10).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, May I always value your precious gifts, especially the gift of your Holy Spirit, fill me with this power. Make me your instrument and may I always be attentive to the promptings of your Holy Spirit in all that I do.