DIVINE MERCY: The Supreme Devotion.

                                                            --Fr. Conrad Saldanha

Oh no, one more devotion to the list! Are the Catholics to be pitied for the addition of another devotion to the long list of devotions they may have?  We have the various devotions to Our Lady, and then we have the devotion to the Saints, we have devotion to the Blood of Christ, the wounds of Christ and the popular Sacred Heart of Jesus.  The list seems to be endless and there is a constant addition of devotions to the Catholic repertory.   Yet the devotion to the Divine Mercy will always stand out as the supreme devotion.

The most popular devotion in the category preceding the Divine Mercy was the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It has always been popular and widely followed, accompanied with assurances of indulgences granted and special blessings for homes consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.   Many homes still have those huge images or frames with these two images occupying the prime place in a home.  The more ancient the house the bigger the image, some are really magnificent and lovely. Decorated and even embroidered to give it a noble look.     

There have been families and individuals who in keeping with the promises of our Lord to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque diligently keep the first Friday commitment to our Lord and make it a point to go for confession and participate in a first Friday Eucharistic adoration and mass.  The trend to preach about such devotions is less among the clergy, in keeping with the Post Vatican II attitude of many, who rarely venture to speak on this subject. The drift is still worse in India and more so in Mumbai where the Clergy is trained only to promote the SCC’s (small Christian Communities) as a priority without much credence given to the right kind of spirituality and devotion.   Hence you hear of objections to the addition of yet another devotion, especially by liturgists who think that this kind of devotion doesn’t fit in the scheme of things.  

While the devotion to the Sacred Heart is the most appealing devotion in keeping with the love element which arises from the heart of a person, it is nevertheless not enough in keeping with the ineffable mystery of God’s love and the limitedness of human love.  There is always the element of equating God’s love with human action and love.  Human love may imitate God’s love but it can never be the same as God’s love. It is similar but not the same.  It may have elements of compassion, mercy and sacrifice yet it transcends human comprehension (Eph. 3:19).  This very reason God sent his Son so that we may fully comprehend the depth of his love and thus be imitators of this love. 

We hear of situation when people experience deception in the area of love and get carried away by the little love they receive. They never will and may have never realized that they themselves are under an illusion of deception concerning love.  This very reason Jesus says; “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love” John 15:9.  This same love we carry in our devotion to God and then there is the aspect of boasting whereby one could always claim that I am the one loving God.  The Divine Mercy reminds us that it is we who are undeserving of God’s love and if we are loved by God and have the capacity and knowledge to love it is precisely because God in his great mercy has made it possible for us. If not for his merciful love then we would not have known God, nor would have sought him, nor carried on in the grace of Christ.   Hence the devotion to the Divine Mercy is devotion for our age which makes much of human achievements and accomplishments. 

This devotion is a reminder of the true status of a human being who is dust and to dust he has to return (the prayer of Ash Wednesday). The journey begins at the beginning of Lent and the accomplishment of this great grace of mercy is on Good Friday when he shed his precious blood to save and redeem us for God.  The preaching of the Gospel is the proclamation of this good news of Christ; the merciful love of God is now revealed to us in Christ Jesus and we can now become acceptable children of the living God through faith in Christ (cfr. Jn. 1:12). “By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). Hence from the Good Friday action we are lead on to the Easter resurrection and this continues in the great octave of Easter.

If the celebration of the passion, death and resurrection through the Eucharist is never a wrongful act in the Octave of Easter then how can the praying of the Chaplet; offering of the body and blood, soul and divinity be wrong in the Easter season?  We cannot have the resurrection apart from the great sacrificial offering just as you cannot have the fruits of the earth unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies. Rather, the meaning of resurrection is rendered useless without the recollection of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.  If not, then at least the human mind seeking meaning to life has to go forth in that logical direction.  The resurrected Christ himself leads us in his post resurrection discourse and through his presence to that foundational base (Lk. 24:26,46).

No wonder Pope John Paul II calls St. Faustina, the saint of the new millennium.  The new millennium is the millennium of the laity. The sacrifice once offered by his priest Melchisedech, and then offered by the Levites. Subsequently through Christ the perfect sacrifice offered by the ordained priest is now offered in a new way by the laity in the new millennium through the Chaplet of divine mercy. It is the same offering the ordained priest offered on behalf of the church so that God’s mercy may shine forth in our midst, is now offered by the laity in verbal form to God and thus calling on his mercy that is able to save us.  Hence the Chaplet is also a Eucharistic offering and becomes an extension too of the Eucharist for the laity; the perfect prayer of the church always and everywhere and in all situations.  This truly is lay empowerment in the church of God.

No longer does the laity, who many a times have no say in the spiritual matters of the Church, have to worry much about the many sacrileges committed against the Eucharist by the ordained ministers, for leave that to God. As for the layman they can continue to offer the sacrifice of Christ with reverence, devotion and a clear conscience in the things that the Church permits them by virtue of this great devotion of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.  Similarly, crisis created by the scarcity of priests in many countries and the lack of masses for offerings are eliminated by the new offering by simple and humble lips.  This Chaplet of Mercy in no way fully replaces the complete efficacy of a meaningful Eucharistic service where Jesus is truly made present by the action of the Church as mandated by Christ.

Finally, the Devotion to the Sacred Heart can always leave room for boasting; as if it is our love towards God which makes us devotees of God. And pride can always take over with those who pit one devotion against another. Whereas the Divine Mercy devotion reminds us that it is not our devotion and our love for God that is of prime importance but it is his love for us first, by his great and merciful love, is what enables us and makes even our imperfect love acceptable to God.  In the last Chapter of John’s Gospel we have a beautiful example of God’s mercy when Jesus asks Simon Peter whether he loves him (Gk. Agape = spiritual and selfless) and Peter’s love reply is yes (Gk. Philein = friendship) and yet Jesus does not reject his love. He takes our sincere heart of imperfect love and makes it perfect in his time; thanks to his great mercy Philein progresses to become Agape with God’s help!

     

Prayer: Lord help me to humbly acknowledge your love which is mercy and compassion as I pray: “Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ in atonement for my sins and those of the whole world.  For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on me and on the whole world”! 

To be an Easter people

                                      _*******Fr. Conrad Saldanha                                                                                                          

Imagine yourself watching an exciting game of football or cricket and the situation for the team you are supporting is depressing because of the possibility of losing. I am sure you would either want to run away from the situation or would want to shout your guts out to these guys to better keep at it and not to give-up. What would happen if one of them at the last moment becomes a hero? I am sure your excitement would be far greater than an ordinary win or easy win.  The impossibility of the situation when saved by a great and mighty effort and talent creates an excitement which is exceedingly great.

In a war too, we could face a similar situation or excitement. A victory and it is celebration! Unfortunately many of our young generation have no memory or taste of war. But the partial taste is well experienced in a cricket match between Pakistan and India. If the game tilts in Pakistan’s favour it could make any one feel low but when it tilts in favour of India then the whole country is excited and there is a celebration. This fever of excitement can be so contagious that it gets rubbed on to others, even those who are least interested in the game.

What happens to the guy who is never interested in the game and is many a time oblivious to what is happening on the cricket field or does not understand the game? You may find them going about their daily routine without much botheration.  You ask them the score and they will wonder whether you have used a bad word against them!  Some may ask you to stop, it can irritate.  A housewife may sometime get irritated about the crazy glue effect towards the T.V. set. She keeps wondering what is that this is leading to; whether he is fallen in love with the T.V. set?

A similar but far greater thing happened 2000 years ago, of utmost significance to the whole of the human race. Someone who came to reveal our true situation of a losing battle that could be won with only with his help. Thus this victorious day of Easter was born; the most important and significant feast in the Christian Calendar.  The day when Jesus Christ fully revealed to us what he achieved on that great Good Friday.

Do we really know what Jesus has done for us? We may sometime reap the fruit of an event yet may never know the impact the event can have on our lives. The more we participate in an event the more we are enriched and yet we may never know the significance of the event.

It’s like the man who works all day long, laboring hard, wholly aware that there is someone waiting for him. That someone could be his wife or child or any family member he is working for. The thought of working in order to feed them and look after them gives him that added impetus to put in a little more of that extra effort.  A meaningful goal helps us strive and do better in life; whether the meaningful activity in reality is based on truth does not matter to the individual in order to achieve a particular goal.

Likewise, Christ’s resurrection from the dead is sure guarantee and hope and those well immersed in the truth and experience of the resurrection becomes equipped to face the fragility of life with ease and strength. As St. Paul would puts it in one of his letter; “And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power” (1 Cor 6:14).  This is not just an eschatological experience but an existential reality.  Each time one decides to die to oneself one experiences the resurrection of Christ. The first death is the death of Baptism, the death exercised in faith.  In other words, it is an ongoing dying to our self, to seek the self of Christ who alone is able to save us from all our iniquities.

If a child has a goal to become a doctor and if that goal is clear and well supported then it’s much easier to achieve the goal than to a person who never has had a goal in life. The whole of life is oriented in a direction in which he or she takes.  The reading material, the TV programmes watched and other such extracurricular activities is oriented in the same direction.   In a similar example you have a situation where the child is told that he has inherited a great amount of wealth from his great grandfather and he need not work all his life or his future generation.  The attitude is bound to change his thinking pattern and the way he or she will grow-up. 

The Easter message is similar; Christ Jesus has given us a clear, visible and tangible goal in his resurrection.  Hence the hope that we carry is for one a sure hope which is never going to disappoint us (Rm. 5:5).  He himself in course of human history has given us a concrete example, a sure historical event to show the reality for which we can live for and even die.  Those who hold a job and work for salary at the end of the month may not doubt the receipt of their salary, yet the eternal life that Christ came to assure those who believe is a more sure hope than the salary of working person. For example – For those who have a working career, may place their hope and plans on the month end salary, but the eternal life that Christ came to assure those who believe is a more sure hope than the salary of working person.

Easter is an assurance of an inheritance which is imperishable undefiled and, unfading that Christ has promised (1Pt.1:4). Yet what is offered on a platter as a free gift cannot be enjoyed unless one employs the same attitude to life as Jesus. Life is never easy; it is rather hostile to life as scripture says; “that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God”. Acts 14:22 Living the message of Easter in this life is to live contrary to the values of this world.    “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory”. Col 3:1-4

Prayer: Lord by your resurrection raise me up from my many bondages to sin and decay and help me to live in the power of the Easter victory which you offer to your chosen beloved. Amen.

Alleluia!  Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY AND JOYFUL EASTER! MAY THE RISEN  CHRIST ENLIGHTEN YOUR MIND TO ALWAYS REJOICE      IN HIS VICTORY!

TO WHOM IT BELONGS MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

The world cup is over and all of India celebrated this victory with joyousness, and also with relief.  The magnificent trophy signifying this victory, now belongs to India. If this cup had gone to Pakistan or Sri-Lanka, this would have ushered in feelings of sadness and dejection.  There would have been no vigils of celebrations that night nor would people have come out, in large numbers to express their joy.  One heard, screams of excitement and revelry, unmatched in the history of the nation.  All this because our cricketers, won the world cup, and it now belongs to us.

To whom it belongs makes a huge difference. If Sachin Tendulkar hits a four, and Gautam Gambhir hits six, the excitement is not the same. To the former, would more credit be given. An average spread at the king’s table, is more exciting than a sumptuous meal at the common man’s table.  If the Bishop speaks, there are more listening/ believing ears, than if a priest or a lay person speaks, even though the lay man may be a better expositor of the truth, than the man in office.

A sweet whisper from a beloved may be worth more than thousands of words of the multitude. I have been with people for shopping, or for a meal, to the choicest of places and I have been intrigued, at the pricing structure of branded items, I often ask myself; does it make a difference where it comes from and whom it belongs.  Maybe not so much to the well discerning mind, that knows where to find the best, perhaps with a little more effort they will find a bargain elsewhere at a reasonable price.  Yet to the many the brands seems to make all the difference. When it comes to certain brands, you are assured of quality for the premium price you pay, or it may serve to boost their ego. Some in keeping with the brand policy even assure warranty and guarantee even for a year or more.   

Our Christian faith is no different. There are many brands of religions, philosophies and ideas strewn around, and more keep getting dished out, now and then. Digressing a bit: Why have I included philosophies and ideas along with religions? Why am I not just comparing Christianity with another religious belief only? How can you hold a mere thought or idea on par with religion?  For this we need to know that Christianity cannot be separated from one’s lifestyle and thinking. It includes and should animate our every action; hence, even an innocent and harmless thought or idea can be detrimental to life and may go against the very tenets of the faith. For this very reason, St. Paul would write: “See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ”. Col 2:8 (also cfr. Eph. 5:6). You may have the best discerning mind but if you do not see the best that Christ has to offer then you have lost the bargain of life (Jn.10:10).  Thus the humble poor in Christ need not worry if they hold on to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. (cfr. Hb. 12:2)

 One should not compartmentalize the Christian faith in one’s life. The practice of the faith should influence every bit of our life.  In other words the import of any philosophy or idea or thought that goes against the spirit of the Gospel is the same as dabbling in other religions. Hence any moral action and any belief in philosophies and ideas and thinking have some relevance to the Christian faith.  One cannot say; “Yeh look! This particular philosophy, idea or practice has nothing to do with religion and hence is safe”. God help such false prophets who come in the name of the Lord! Therefore discernment is the basis of all that is done and this is achieved by not being conformed to this world but by being transformed by the renewal of our mind, that we may prove what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (cfr. Rom 12:2). The only thing to be warned about is this: do not seek the transformation of not being conformed to this world in the milieu of this world’s bedlam but rather seek it in the revelation of Christ.

Likewise, however a given thought or philosophy may be good or beautiful and may contain all truths yet it cannot easily be lapped-up even if it “reflects a ray of that truth which enlightens all men”. (Vat.II: Pope Paul VI, 28^th Oct. 1965; Nostra Aetate; para. 2). Remember, where it belongs and to whom it belongs makes a difference. In other words, where it comes from, the source of such wisdom has always to be taken into consideration.  I often find the theological breeds who quote from this document to justify their syncretism and unbridled religious dialogue with people of other religious background.  Some have begun to see in these ‘rays’ the whole truth.  Others have sold their valuable faith and have gone astray teaching others too to walk in the same folly in which they walk.  The worst scenario is that of the many who do not know their own faith and have embarked on the treacherous road to dialogue and inculturation.  They may hold a credit in theological learning’s, but being self conceited they have walked the way of destruction and leading the church of God also in the same direction.  For this kind of pseudo-theologizing is an easy route to fame and self empowerment, even in the name of empowerment of others.  Unfortunately, they have their patrons in the ruling elect.

I am shocked that they are more familiar with the Tukarams, the Geetas and the Slokas than the revealed Word of God.  For these I may even have to be more explicit and specify the Bible as meaning the revealed Word of God.  Those aspects of the Bible or the magisterium are used and manipulated to suit their way of thinking. Some boast of the so called Indian context and contextual theologizing, without reference to the scripture or magisterium, which often has a basis in humanistic philosophies and ideologies and appeals much to our insensate tastes.  If Anna Hazare is the icon of anti-corruption in India, what do I call these theologians, are they are not the icons of corruption of the living faith; the very antithesis of the incorruptible faith.  If that reflection of that ‘ray’ is so important then the same declaration would not have mandated thus: Indeed, she proclaims, and ever must proclaim Christ "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), in whom men may find the fullness of religious life, in whom God has reconciled all things to Himself. (Vat.II: Nostra Aetate; para. 2). 

How then can you explain the spread of eastern and other contaminated spiritualities in the Church which Christ has redeemed by his blood?

How can you explain the proclamation of a social Gospel which is aimed purely at human emancipation?

How can you explain the corruption of the revealed Word of God and even come out with a corrupted version of the Indian community Bible and have the many protesting voices suppressed?

How can practitioners of dialogue talk about a unity at the cost of compromise of one’s faith? Which is of higher value?

How can one talk about holistic health through New Age practices and beliefs? Perhaps, finding more meaning in them rather than the sacramental action!

How can one explain the non-discerned inculturation without being clear about its goal?

How can one build communities on humanistic and issue based agenda using the Word of God as a vehicle to be abused and misused?

Why are the ones who are protesting these evil branded as conservative, pro-Rome and watchdogs?

The list is endless and the many instances are scandalous and ones who protest have to face the hounding, maligning and persecutions as fanatics with fanatical zeal by their tormentors.

In the Scripture we have a model example of Christ who did not lap-up his own words when he discerned it came from Satan the father of lies. Was it because Satan was proclaiming a lie? Humanly speaking it was no lie. He was quoting the very Word of God. Jesus knew and in his actions has taught us how to go about the many deceptions of life; where it comes from and whom it comes from is significant.  You cannot quote from a source which is rebellious and anti-church even if the whole world may recognize him or her as an eminent theologian.  You cannot have the sayings of great men and non-Christian sources and scriptures to display it as truth and liberalism. A liberal attitude or action should lead to the right kind of liberty like the one Jesus offers. When one understands liberty and freedom only in the worldly sense of the term then how can one offer liberation. The freedom which the world seeks and imparts is only bondage. Only “if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

If the search for the elusive truth or the ray of that truth makes us feel that we are being wise then remember what scripture says; “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”. Rom 1:21-22.  To such, even though they may not accept the existence of Satan and the dark reality of a spiritual world, I must nevertheless remind that there are traces of or ray of that truth even in Satan; a living being, the prince of darkness. What is lacking in Jesus’ banqueting table that we see riches in other sources. If only one knew the riches of their faith then one would not have sought after riches elsewhere.  The question here is about finding riches elsewhere and not about knowing in order to bring everything into submission to Christ: the aim and motivation for such an activity.

The reason for such warning is on account of the dark reality which we cannot escape by our own learning and intellect apart from the help of God. “For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5d  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Prov. 9:10; cfr. Ps.111:10; Pr. 1:7). Academic excellence or much learning and reading are not a certification for wisdom but the fear of the Lord is and will always be.  The latest document issued by the two pontifical councils, one on Culture and the other on Inter-religious dialogue affirms this truth of belongingness: “From the point of view of Christian faith, it is not possible to isolate some elements of New Age religiosity as acceptable to Christians, while rejecting others.” (Chap. 4:1, Jesus Christ the bearer of the water of life, 6 Feb.2003).

The problem with the many of our modern theological breed is that God is a mere mascot to be used and abused to achieve their human program of building a kingdom of justice, peace and brotherhood; of emancipation, development and ultimately self aggrandizement.  The church then is a mere NGO venturing where governments and other social scientists are supposed to venture with their earthly goals. It all looks good to see such zeal when they cater to these so called ‘subaltern classes’ but in no way communicates the mind of Christ whose kingdom was not of this world.  

                       

                                      ********** Fr. Conrad Saldanha

        

Prayer: "Lord, to whom shall we 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). Keep me faithful to your teaching, and never let me be departed from you. 

THE DISCRIMINATION OF GOD--PART II

Once in a conventional parish, a young well dressed lady stood in line to receive Holy Communion. Sensing that the person was not a Catholic, I gently refused her. After the Eucharistic celebration, I approached the concerned person who happened to be a Christian from one of the mainline churches. She was in tears. I apologized if I had hurt her sentiments, but made it clear, that she couldn’t partake of the Sacrament, as she was not a baptized Catholic. She cried foul saying that it was discrimination; unfortunately she was not in a state to see any reason.

Why can’t anyone partake of the Holy Eucharist? Why does the Church discriminate between people and religion? In the midst of the many voices that claim that we shouldn’t be discriminating between cast and creed and be charitable and generous towards all, some even make an assertion that Jesus loved everyone and he did not discriminate between people. With non-discrimination as their goal, we have the humanist and the atheist and other humanistic forms too. Should Christians discriminate at all?

As mentioned in part I of my earlier article on this blog site the understanding of the term discrimination depends on how we understand equality and life. The ordinary human being seeks to judge objectively but almost always in perspective and will normally go by legal certitude and mathematical exactitude; along the way this idea of discrimination may change depending on a person’s upbringing, beliefs systems and attitudes. In keeping with the worldly perspective the standard it sets for judging is far different from the religious perspective. Thus Christian perspective will differ in many ways. The revelation that makes a difference: Jesus reveals man fully to himself.

Today we have charity being done irrespective of caste and creed. The church appears to be no different than any NGO (non-governmental organization). There are people fighting for justice, in precedence over witnessing and evangelization and they call it witnessing too. Whom are they witnessing to and to what? These pseudo evangelists who are involved in activism claim that they don’t discriminate between people and hence believe in the proclamation of Gospel values and work towards human emancipation. Are they not following the worldly standard? Do they really not discriminate? It’s a big question mark!

If our approach to God is worldly then even God becomes a victim of discrimination and that is how it is almost always.

Scripture is replete with examples where God is making a choice (God’s standard) of one over the other. Concerning Abraham he says; “..for I have chosen him, that he may charge his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice; so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him." Gen 18:19

Concerning Israel He says; "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, out of all the peoples that are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love upon you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples;  but it is because the Lord loves you, and is keeping the oath which he swore to your fathers” Deut 7:6-8

Why was there so much of favoritism with Israel and the prophets, and selection of few leaders of the people? In the New Testament we have the Apostles chosen from among the many who were in Israel. How can Jesus discriminate between the many and choose only a few to be with Him? Could there be something called pre-destination in God’s discrimination?

In the Gospel of John we have a clear statement of favoritism: “…….having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” John 13:1.  Isn’t this discrimination between his own and the others?

In Mt. 15:21-28, we have the extreme example of discrimination against a Canaanite woman who is referred to as a dog: “He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."  But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me."  And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." Matt 15:24-26. Ah! How can he call her dog?

Could it be that God does not discriminate and we are the ones who feel discriminated against? God who has created us loves each one of us equally. May be the individual feels in one’s heart a sense of discrimination and expresses it through rebelliousness, protests and other forms of expressions. One such situation we see in scripture in the gospel of Matthew Chapter 20, verses 1 to 16 in which the Master chooses to pay each one his due as promised. Though the eleventh hour workers are happy the others feels discriminated against because of the same wages which they all receive.

Thus there are two sides to this existential discrimination; on the one hand you have a situation of discrimination into which we are born into and on the other hand we have a situation in which we ourselves experience, depending on the external stimuli or reality it get manifested accordingly. The outcome will again depend on which standard we are following; worldly or Godly.  For by worldly standards discrimination will always exist but it can be mitigated only to a certain extent. In fact the mitigation process and outcome could lead to another form of discrimination. If our approach to God is worldly then even God becomes a victim of discrimination and that is how it is almost always.

In the midst of all this we are not forgetting the subjective human condition which necessitates such discrimination which in the ultimate situation may be no discrimination. One form of non-discrimination leads to other forms of discrimination and hence the solution is in exercising the right kind of discrimination. No justice system can assert that theirs is a superior form of justice system that does not discriminate. The Americans with their superior legal and justice system has bred a new form of discrimination where people end up disgruntled and suing one another. The freedom of choice is primarily a discrimination of choices and these can lead to extremes of choices which are detrimental and discriminatory to promoting life. Do what we ultimately accept as just and deserving by a superior judgment be a non discriminatory truth? The majority in a democratic society may decide, yet it in no way guarantees a just and non-discriminatory mandate.

Why the confusion in all this explanation? Is the malignancy of discrimination deeper than what we are discussing? The Christian thought is this that we are conceived and born in a situation of discrimination. If we accept this reality then it should not be difficult for us to accept the other aspects of this reality; whatever be the situation there is a reward for those who endure investing their hope in a larger reward, the eternal reward that Jesus has promised for those who believe in Him.

It is like a slave, who is being told; “look you are a slave and hence a victim of discrimination and I have come to help you out of this reality”. Imagine the slave snubbing the man with mockery and laughter, “sorry, it’s not me who is a slave but you, I have a job which feeds my stomach and my wife and children and you don’t”.  Let’s take another example of a businessman who is told that one of his trusted staff is a cheat and he refuses to take that in.  Now in both these cases you cannot help the persons unless they accept the reality and believe in what is true. Further, In this situation the discriminator by right can become a comprehensive victim of discrimination by intrigue. (Mt. 21: 33-39). Likewise the process of taking someone out of a situation of discrimination could be a long drawn battle which could be mired in cascades of discrimination; this is true with our Christian walk. 

Similarly the reality of the human race; Jesus came to reveal to us this reality that we are in a state of discrimination on account of the sin that separates us from God and that he has come to take that primary discriminating factor away. This discriminating factor can be referred to as sin or as a dog’s life but it is nevertheless the same. To resolve this all that is required is acknowledging this reality about ourselves and accepting in faith what Jesus has to offer us. It is this faith which alone is able to save us.  Once one accepts this truth then one slowly realizes that as we work in this world to reduce the discrimination in our life and society, that it is not this world that we live for but the eternity which Jesus has promised.  This discrimination can primarily handled through acceptance of this Gospel message of equality (Jn. 1:12).

The peripheral situation of the human heart gives us a glimpse into the mystery of this discrimination we experience and face. The human heart because of its narrow vision of life discriminates against itself by constantly rejecting the truth about itself. When we don’t accept our origin as from God and our final destination as going back to him to live with him for all eternity then it is the first step in the discrimination process; discriminating with ourselves by seeking to live in a situation which apparently seems good and beneficial to us. As we accept our sinful self before God there will then arise a need for his salvific action in our lives in order to receive the grace of eternity. The third aspect is to live out this grace here on earth with the help of the many gifts and blessings God has given us.

Thus the mystery of discrimination teaches us that to trust ourselves and having a self belief may help us in achieving and accomplishing things but not enough. What is required is faith and belief in God which will not only help us in this world but also in the world to come. One can’t have faith in too many people over a single matter especially when each one has a different and contrary thing to say. Some live their lives in trusting themselves more than God or trusting others thoughts and philosophies which are contrary to sound doctrine.

In the light of the above God’s discrimination is then looked as an action of love. The woman who was referred to as a dog would never have seen the reality of herself. Sometimes we need extremes language or a shocker in order to understand the essential meaning of life. The woman understood that faith is what triumphs over all complexities and sinfulness of life. Faith makes it easy for God to help us overcome our own situation of discrimination and receive without discrimination from God’s presence. The practitioners of eastern spirituality and others who sit in judgment over retreat centres as promoting a spirituality of guilt ultimately are the true promoters of discrimination. God’s holy word when it points to the reality of truth also offers us a solution for the byproduct of guilt.

Human judgment fails to comprehend the ways of God and looks at things from their narrow perspective. It is like a child who may look at the scolding of the parent as either a correction of love and thus be grateful or may look at it as a correction of discrimination or hate and may grumble at the parent and may never forgive them for life. Even for a believer the challenge is in seeing the reality; God’s love and faithfulness to his chosen ones in the most trying circumstances. So too our attitude to life reveals a lot about how we discriminate ourselves in the light of God’s steadfast and constant love.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you sent your Son Jesus into the world to set right the discrimination that was brought about by the sin of Adam. Help us to recognize you and accept you as the one truth that frees us from our situation of being discriminated. As we go through this process of accepting your freedom, may we never feel discouraged by the discriminations we may face at the hands of men. Give us a spirit of boldness to assert to the world that it is only you in whom men can be free from their inner bondage of discrimination.

               >>>>>> fr. conrad saldanha

THE DISCRIMINATION OF GOD Part I

                                                                                       -- PART I 

(Part II of this article will be a simple expounding of the same topic with scriptural basis and analysis)

The world is striving for a new world order where there will be no discrimination, between language, groups and communities and all will be equal. The cry for justice among peoples and nations is also in the same direction. Equality is the new mantra and even men and women are equals; therefore no longer should a woman be subjugated to a man.

The scriptural injunction which calls upon a woman to submit to a man is now to be understood in its socio-cultural milieu.  Some Biblical scholars say that the Bible discriminates between the sexes; Paul was a victim of his time and so too, Jesus is presented as a victim of his own socio-cultural milieu.  They belonged to a patriarchal society and hence they thought the way they did.  For these new breed of enthusiast, who only swear by a socialistic outlook, the Church too is corrupted since it bases its doctrine on tradition and biblical foundations which are rooted in a patriarchal background.

Equality, justice and liberty have taken a new turn ever since the French renaissance. The Socialist revival and the advent of Marxism added a new impetus to the demand for equality.  That‘s because one has not learnt that strength, power and positions were never meant for exploitation and domination, but rather to be at the service of the weak, the less fortunate and poorly endowed. According to them predetermination is a key principle for interpreting existing oppressive structures and structures of sin. It is also a situation which is created through repression and subjugation by the strong and the powerful. 

Equality when understood in terms of mathematical exactitude and then brought into human language becomes the reason for the prevailing confusion

There is an element of truth in what is purported as sound doctrine. The males are physically strong and many a time, still continue to use brutal force to suppress and demand.   But what we fail to realize is the other element of reality; the power of subtle seduction by the weak and fragile and it may never be a visible denominator for enumeration by the social scientists. The abuse of power is even common with those who proclaim justice and equality, and that too in greater measure, as they in their zeal to promote what they think as right and noble impose their ways through crooked and even brass force as if it is their birthright to impose what they think is right; this is unacceptable.  Similarly, they could be the abuse by the empowered too and this is a profound reality.

What begins as sound human ideals ends up as oppressive structures, seeking full control of whatever they lay their hands to. There comes up a new regime which is more oppressive and repressive in nature than the previous one. The Marxist state for example began on a similar utopian note and ended up being the most brutal force towards its people. Likewise with materialism and human emancipation as their goal they have created a new vacuum in the heart of human beings.  

Most of the problem is in the understanding of the term equality and confusing it with human dignity and role. Equality when understood in terms of mathematical exactitude and then brought into human language becomes the reason for the prevailing confusion.  True, the Biblical basis is this: Men and women are equal before God. They carry the same dignity even though they have a different role to play. Each according to their gender plays their role in human society and family.  But the problem arises when roles are confused with equality. This is so because we discriminate between persons, according to their role or job they do and not often according to their character or morality.  In fact the reverse may be true if a job carries with it extra perks and human attention and power then the individual may even be treated with nobility. On the other hand a person doing a menial job is not valued much in our society. In some cultures things are pretty worse still.

The human person is equal before God irrespective of cast, creed, color, origin and he loves all his creation equally and in complete measure. This love he has revealed in his Son Jesus to all creation and Jesus Christ is the access point to receive from his marvelous love (1 Jn. 2:23). He revealed to us what human dignity is all about. Though what I say is the truth and many will agree with me on this or may agree with me only in the primary premise but may choose to disagree with me in the second statement.   Nevertheless I must make clear this aspect of God’s love: though he loves everyone yet not everyone: Though he loves everyone not all can benefit from his love because it depends on us too whether to receive this love of God revealed to us in Christ Jesus.  Thus the fools may look at this as discrimination when you make known to them that only those who believe in Christ will be saved (Jn. 3:16-17, Acts. 4:12); though it is not me but the scriptures says this. Yet, “How can you discriminate?” they say, while they themselves discriminate beginning with their reasoning’s.  Only those can be the recipients or beneficiaries of his salvation and saving grace who accept and believe in him.

Not to discerningly discriminate is discrimination of the highest order. Since to discern and make a choice is the activity of the rational mind; not to exercise this rational mind in seeking in the right direction is like being an irrational creature and this irrationality get manifested in the society we live in. Rationality is God’s special gift to man but not to use it humbly is man’s folly and a choice to be no different than an animal, and it could be even being a gentle goat! Imagine if a parent in their zeal to treat their many children treats all of them equally, as the foolish understand equality, they will have discriminated between them by not nourishing each one according to the growth pattern of each or according their character. On the other hand we have a situation whereby one of the children makes it a point to look after his aged parents with great sacrifice and thus becomes a beneficiary of their love, affection and wealth; will this not be looked at as a case of discrimination? Here the arguments will go on depending on how one understands equality; mathematical or human sense.

When I talk of the discrimination of God, people find it difficult to understand, as if one has proclaimed a great heresy.  If our God is a God of love then how can you say he discriminates between peoples and nations? It all depends on how one understands the dynamics of love. If to love means only an emotional or rational thought expressed than perhaps you could be justified in your thinking. But the God you believe in will be the God of your making and not the God who has revealed himself to us in Christ Jesus.  The God we believe in, is the God who loves and this love is dynamic and towards his creation, of which human beings, who have been bestowed with a free will, have the freedom to either accept it or reject it. Hence it is we who discriminate ourselves. For one of the greatest quality of God’ love is that it is never thrust or imposed but proposed to all mankind through the proclamation (I know of some theologians who do not understand the term ‘proclamation’ and thus understood proclamation as imposition) of the Gospel. The Gospel (good news) of Jesus is the revelation of God’s love which is in all its fullness manifested at the cross of Christ.  God still loves everyone and all of his creation and this for us is seen in his providence and sustenance of creation.  To receive from this love one has to acknowledge and accept it in faith so as to see its effect in one’s life.  One can’t take for granted and ignore this steadfast love of God; in acknowledging that one is loved by God that one is lead into personal transformation. Therefore the discrimination of God is fruit of one’s own discrimination brought about by rejecting his love.  God is never to be blamed but oneself.                           Ø     fr. Conrad Saldanha

Prayer:  God of all creation help me to acknowledge your love which you have revealed in your beloved Son Jesus and accept his offer of salvation which first comes to us by faith. Bless me, so that I may be always faithful to him and his Word and avail of the grace that comes through the Church and the sacraments. I ask this though Christ our Lord. AMEN (so be it).

The ills of Society: a brief analysis towards a solution. –fr. conrad saldanha

                                         

The Libyan crisis has made the world sit up and think. Opinions are divided; on the one hand, there some who believe that they need to interfere, and on the other hand, there are those who believe that there should be no interference in the internal affairs of a country. It’s a country ruled by a dictator they say and now he is attacking his own people. On the face of it the actions seems to be a justified one.  On the other hand one begins to wonder at the stand taken by some who are opposed to air strikes and interference. How could they not oppose a regime that seeks to harm its own people?

The aim of this exercise is not to discuss the morality of such an action, but to analyse the human morality and freedom, and seek a solution to our existential crisis for our lives. Just an analysis will not suffice; an awareness exercise is not a solution for the ills of society, but a pragmatic and practical solution is. The western morality is generally human centric, promoting human rights and dignity, whereby any wrong done to human beings is condemned, and the freedom of the individual has to be respected.  The wisdom behind it is good and true.  Whereas the eastern mind generally respects community and family, and governing authorities, as more important than individuals, and the individual’s right is bound up to the governing authority. This also seems good and true. An individual cannot act at freewill and disturb community life and unity.  The quandary is this; what comes first?

Holding on to either of the two by rejecting the other is what extremism all about. Ideally the two go together.  Man is an individual placed in a society. What comes first? Is it the society or is it the individual.  The clarity is important, if it is not resolved than all our lives we will be carried away by the narrow vision of seeking social justice and solutions based on certain idealism.  Many of the struggles for social justice are based on a society blame principle, as if the human individual can do no wrong.

In a given wrong, one could either blame the society or the individual.  It’s true that society and culture does influence the person and his thinking. Many of our actions and behavior patterns are rooted in the family values, and situations in which we are born and brought up in. Hence we have certain cultures, certain families and certain language groups, that exhibit a certain pattern of behavior.  Yet we cannot be foolish and specify or quantify larger behavior patterns. Hence we could say; generally, rather than brand all and every one under a specific category.  

The socialist would love to blame society for an individual’s waywardness.  Does it resolve the question of the individual’s responsibility?  If a human being was a zombie, without a capacity to think or act then the society could be blamed for their behavior; (Given that the society in which the individual is bred and brought up in, has the means and will, to impart intellectual knowledge to this individual in the first place.)

The other situation can that be of force, deception and subjugation; a minor could be forced, deceived and subjugated into stealing and the blame could be on the adult or society. Yet even in this situation, teaching the minor the whole reason for righteous living and walking in uprightness is necessary. If a grown-up complains of such a situation and seeks to blame others and society, then it is just another method of deception.  An alcoholic could blame his father or mother for his state, but that in no way would help him to overcome, or deal with the situation, and resolve it.  

Ideally the configuration of both factors is important and necessary. But they cannot both have the same value. Though Society has a role in influencing the thinking and behavioral pattern of individual.  Yes, one could justifiably blame it on society for an individual’s condition and way of thinking but further an individual’s free will and thinking can always make him rise above his narrow condition. The exercise of his freewill is what empowers him to rise above his situation. The adult’s responsibility to seek, know and implement the truth of life cannot be absolved.  I cannot absolve myself from the law which considers murder a grave crime on the basis of ignorance or poor will to resist. If it does happen then one requires rehabilitation.   Nor can I blame society for leaving me in such a lurch; for these are certain things which are discerned in one’s conscience. If society doesn’t teach me then I know in my heart what I desire from the other and hence I do unto others what I want others to do to me.(Mt.7:12) Therefore in the ultimate situation the individual has to take responsibility for what he or she has done.

Yet there are certain other factors which reduces the culpability of an individual while the objective norm remains; such as the emotional and mental state and situation in which an individual is born and brought up in and the present circumstance and intention. 

The interesting fact to debate is this: Who has the greater influence; the society on the individual or the individual on society?  Very rarely have we had individuals, who have made a big impact on society, but rarer still, are there visible instances where society has played a major role on individuals. Still, we cannot easily arrive at a concrete measure.  And this is all the more difficult because a society is not uniform entity so as to propound a fixed theory.  There are the leaders of the people who guide the fortunes and behavior patterns of the society too. Then we have the learning institutions and role models whom both individuals and societies ape and imitate and look for wisdom and guidance. The majority want it easy. We have them as leaders over us while we only rave and imitate them even in their unruly and disruptive ways.  There is always the instructive way in which education seeks to inculcate values in an individual. But by the time a person grows up, he does not know how to differentiate between sound values and false. The moral principle and the ethical way of life are not always clear. It is a dark confusing world.  Some of you reading this article will find it confusing. Life a complicated and dark entity! Where do we seek to find the solutions of life? Can we go for that perfect role model or that perfect instruction which could help us to grow in the right direction?  Just a role model is not enough for it is not good and safe to imitate an individual whose talents and gifts are far different than mine.  

Our search for that superman, the prefect man has to go on. Could there be one in the long history of human beings that superman who could be the perfect solution for our predicament. Jesus Christ surely fits in perfectly.  Does anyone want to dispute with what I propose?  Try knowing Jesus and see if there has been anyone anywhere near him in comparison.  You won’t find one! Remember, I am not proposing a dead man; that would be like proclaiming a dead truth. What I am proclaiming is a living truth and hence Jesus as superman becomes so very special.  The dead man Jesus showed super human qualities but the living Jesus, who rose from the dead, is with us to assist us to live life. HE clears the constant confusion and enlightens us, in the dark reality that surrounds us. Unfortunately, many Christians seek only the superman Jesus and try to live by his wisdom but fail to humbly seek the help of the living Jesus who still is with us (Emmanuel) to help us in our weakness to be super human beings.

Then there will no longer be a human being blaming society for his own misfortunes, while absolving himself from responsibility. Instead, in his place, we will have an individual who will praise God even for the evils of the past and rise above every power and forces that may seek to overcome him;

Ps 40:16-17 Let all those that seek and require You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified!  [As for me] I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me. You are my Help and my Deliverer. O my God, do not tarry! 

 We have the power of the Resurrection in our life to help conquer; this Power that Jesus gives to those who ask. HIS HOLY SPIRIT.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you for revealing to me this moment, that you are the one, we should look for, and look no further for solutions to our existential and human problems. Help me to live by your wisdom and to be guided by your constant grace and assistance. 

Lent: an opportune season! -Fr. Conrad Saldanha

The beautiful thing about seasons, is that they come and go at their appointed times, and achieve that what they are meant to do. The consequences for an individual can either be good, bad or indifferent. Seasons are just a change in the climatic conditions of nature and atmosphere. Yet they have such a vast and drastic influence on human beings. We need to be geared up to face it! Imagine preparing for monsoons without rain gear or for summer without a fan or an air conditioner at home, or for winter without warm clothing’s, etc. Some special food and clothing’s find their real use in a particular season.  Even a well bred businessman knows that there are seasons for making money and they need to take advantage of it.

Seasons come and go, they influence our lifestyle and thinking yet not all would benefit as much or enjoy the fruit of a season unless one is geared up and well prepared to take advantage of the season.  To the young you need not teach how to take advantage of the parties and celebrations. It’s a season too, to take advantage of.  The most beautiful thing concerning a season is that those who take advantage of the available fruits and produce, can even benefit from it all throughout the year and even longer.

Similarly, the season of lent is a season in which only those reap the benefit who know how to take advantage of it. Just as young couple would take advantage of Valentine day and other such opportunities similarly lent is a moment, a season to take advantage of; to express our love for God in whom alone our soul could find rest. Mangoes and derivates could be available to us throughout every season but the abundance and special flavor is available to us only in its season. And when the whole community is at it why should one lose the moment of opportunity to indulge in the joys of the moment.

“It’s never too late to mend”, goes a famous proverb.  More so when the goal we are seeking and the joy thereof is the highest and the best; it’s better than having mangoes and wealth and houses and loads of every pleasure at our disposal. The psalmist who has tasted such a wonderful joy has his goal and vision clear; “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple”. Ps 27:4 He shall not look to the seasons and opportunities of this materialistic world but will rather go all out for the divine fulfillment.

To do that we need to first change the motives of our heart before we take a plunge in seeking the heavenly pleasures. We may find ourselves taking up this assignment in right earnestness and along the way forget the purpose and goal of our activities. It is like a person, who begins in right earnestness to serve his people, but ends up swindling them. It is like a man who answers the divine call in right earnestness to serve God, but ends up serving his own selfish cause. Or an individual who takes up higher studies, and keeps forgetting his goals, unless reminded by someone or by the pressures of exams.

So, when you fast or pray or give alms do not forget to seek God’s glory rather than self glory or else we may end up as hypocrites.(ref. Mt.6:1-16)

So often, people ask me about fasting and prayer and alms giving. How to do it quietly and without fanfare? How much to give and why? Isn’t alms giving and reaching out to others more important than prayer and fasting? Isn’t works more important than faith?  Or they would point at others or at people in the renewal ministry as being hypocrites. Why? Because they pray aloud and go contrary to Jesus’ injunction; thus act like the hypocrites. Those who think like this are people who have missed a point and have only manifested their hypocrisy of not attending to the log in their own eye. 

Some fast during the whole season of lent and give-up on drinks and favorites. Some make it a point to avoid non-vegetarian food and go through great lengths to give alms and yet may have very little time for God and prayer. God may never be the centre or the reason for such action. People,  undertake a  fast for various reasons; some fast to slim down, some fast to detoxify, some fast for health reasons, some fast to show-off.

What do you fast for?  The purpose for fasting and alms giving needs to be aimed at, being detached from our carnal self and be attached to the divine; to be guided by his Holy Spirit, and thus to be filled with heavenly graces. Fasting, penance and alms giving, in any form should be aimed at helping us grow in the love and faith of Christ; who alone is worthy of our love and affection.

There are some who would jump to judgments and may even condemn such thinking as being only vertical in thinking. The Christian tradition of reaching out to others flows from its vertical spirituality; the God whom we love and want to serve directs our hearts to love others too, directing each one according to one’s ability and talents. I once met a Christian gentleman who did a lot of charity and at the same time boasted of his new found faith based on human values and the equality of all religions.  I was compelled to remind him that if today he is doing any acts of charity it is on account of his Christian background and influence. It is not the believers of humanity and religious ideologies who are major practitioners of Charity but the Christians and statistics proves it all. Hence, those who seek to build apart from God will only be promoting and building their own kingdoms and communities in the name of Christianity. For them spirituality is a way of soothing and comforting the exploited ones who are deceived by them and made use of to build their own kingdoms and communities. Therefore they have no qualms of conscience to promote a self-centric diabolic spirituality based on eastern practices and crude holistic approaches which ultimately promote their own ends.

The aim of this article is not to discourage fasting and alms giving but rather to fight the hypocrisy and to keep God’s glory as the ultimate purpose of our doing things rather than seek to build one’s kingdom (I Cor. 10:31).  Hence fasting and alms giving is good, it helps us if we embark on it with the right attitude and spirit. Then we will not do it because the law says it or the church requires it but because God desires it, that too for my own good and for his greater glory. We will participate in the process not because of a mere external injunction but rather because of our need for repentance and transformation; a groan of a faint heart and a weak spirit. This fasting, prayer and almsgiving is not the pure human triumph but the participation with God in his triumph. We shall seek his help during every part of the journey; he who has given us his Holy Spirit to lead and guide us.

To further aid us in this journey we will seek the wisdom of the servants of Christ, and read books and the rich spiritual wisdom offered by the ancient tradition of the Church; through the writings of the desert fathers.  Then there is the help of the Sacraments and devotions which ingrains in us a piety that strengthens us to face the constant onslaught of the evil one, in fighting against the concupiscence of the flesh and mind. “I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”. Rom 12:1-2

Fasting and alms giving can also gain new meaning and significance for the faithful of God. It takes the meaning of sacrifice with thanksgiving and gratitude. The invitation of Christ to discipleship gains a new significance and meaning and hence the need of participating in the constant dying and rising process.  “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” John 12:24-25. The participation in the dying and rising process becomes then an ongoing exercise not just at lent and Ash Wednesday but also throughout the year. It takes on a wider meaning and perspective of dying to our many selfish hungers of power, self glory, revenge, hate, greed and self indulgence, self assertions, fears, anxieties and guilt. Otherwise our fight against sin and achieving perfection, can take on wicked dimensions of human pride and self glory, predisposed to condemnation, judgments and prejudice, and above all, a hypocrisy which finds faults in the other rather than the self. Those in leadership could end up promoting a human agenda opposed to true godliness and sound Christian doctrine.

Let this lent then be an occasion, a season of grace to earnestly embark on a journey of seeking a right relationship with God even as it offers us the means, through the various actions of the church and the wisdom derived from its traditions. Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. Ps 34:5

Prayer: Lord help me to be faithful to your calling of being your true disciple and seek you with all my heart in this wonderful season,  so that I may reap its fruit all throughout my life and lead a life that is pleasing to God.