Inspirations

Homosexuality: Judgment comes from God!

2015-07-03T03:20:00.000+05:30

-------------------------->Fr. Conrad Saldanha

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isa 55:8-9

Humans, apart from the wisdom and grace of God, are the greatest enemy of humans, even collectively and in democratic situations. Even the choices they make are myopic and detrimental either to them or their children for generations to come.

At a micro level, we disagree with the choices our parents make for us and then we commit worst blunders then them and the repercussions thereof are for generations to come. Many a times we do not realize the repercussions because of the cushioning on account of the faults of the many that surround us.

The problematic: when sin increases the increase leads to further increase because humans want to outdo one another.

Our education teaches us to think wise, sound wise and be assertively self confident; as long as one is successful. The only criterion for success is material gain: Achievements in school, in office, a better pay packet, a higher position in society, materialistic wealth, power and domination for self aggrandizement.

Who will attribute success to the many successful that have died ignoble deaths, lost to the world? One such unsuccessful person in his own time was Jesus Christ.

He had a group largely comprising of unqualified fisher men and died the most ignoble death in the history of humanity. Yet the truth that he died for stands firm forever for all ages and for all generations. The fact that the church has stood in spite of the many corruptions and evil within its ranks for generations to come bears out a greater truth: the sacrifice of blood shed by Jesus Christ.

Kingdoms have come and gone but the church has withstood the many onslaughts despite the many corruptions within its ranks. This is in not justifying the actions of the corrupt within its ranks, who have failed to live up to the teachings of Christ and act like Judases.

One such teaching of Christ which has withstood against the deception that the evil one throws up is the institution of marriage and family; Man and woman together are called into the union of marriage.

But now evil men in high places in society and some in the church too want to break this doctrine of Christ under various deceptive opinions. They want to give their view a sense of legitimacy through deceptive play of words.

Homosexuality is a prevalent and rampant disease of our time which needs not indiscriminate compassion but a discerned compassionate approach. I say this because many in the church talk about a compassionate approach towards the homosexuals and which doctrine is misplaced.

When they talk about compassion they talk about rehabilitating them in positions of power in the church, without seeking to correct their orientation, which is detrimental and scandalous to the faith of the church.

For example; the bishop of an Archdiocese may rehabilitate his priest who could be a known homosexual and depute him for higher studies so that he may dish out a happy and gay message to the laity and on the other hand he may even condemn an ordinary priest who questions their wrong teachings. It seems that the church is more comfortable with its Homo sapiens in homosexual heave!

Without moving away from its mission of compassion, which largely has been its forte, the church could then think about rehabilitating the individual after having sought their recovery through the implementation of the sound elements of its faith.

Does this love and compassion mean that the church should be silent about the evil of Homosexuality or the sin thereof?

Many in our generations, including certain leaders in the hierarchy have started trending the new language: “who am I to judge”? Surely, in the subjective sense, we are no one to judge the individual who has committed an act as to the punishment and the legal clause to be applied, especially if that individual appears ever repentant. On the other hand we cannot be tight lipped about the judgment of God, as revealed in scripture and affirmed in the rich tradition, about homosexuality and which the canonical and inspired book clearly reveals.

Hence one would not proclaim the judgment of God only if one doesn’t fully accept the revealed word of God, as God’s word (the Scripture is Canonical even for a Catholic).

Every true Christian, that includes Clergy, religious, Bishops and even the Pope, are called upon to proclaim not their own judgments about sin and evil but what God has revealed through his word and as Catholic also through its rich tradition. If they find themselves in opposition to the revealed word or have difficulty in proclaiming what the revealed word has to say then they need to either repent or go back into reflection and acceptance of the word or step down rather than fool the people with a white robe and a dead spirit inside.

Primarily, it’s not your judgment or the Church’s judgment or the hierarchy’s judgment but it is the judgment of God and as Christians we are called to be faithful to God and not to somebody else’s opinions and reasoning’s:

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” 1 Cor 6:9-11 (Bible)

On the other hand, when genuine Christian Leaders, in keeping with their faith, proclaims certain actions as sinful or morally as unacceptable then:

1. They are not condemning (judgment of condemnation), but are only warning about an impending consequence.

Condemnation is the prerogative of God. A human being may be given that right to manage society or church, sitting in place of God.

Hence to look at it as a hate language or discrimination is based on false understanding of Christian faith. Those within and willing to submit to the government of the church, then this judgment is accomplished in faithfulness to the law of God, so that the person is not lost forever. Unfortunately the abuses of those who sit in such positions of judgment in the church are galore in our day; some of them judging on the basis of socio-psycho ideologies which have their basis in Satanism or a form of humanism which is myopic rather than basing themselves on the truth of the Gospel.

2. It is an action of concern & deep love, in keeping with the Christian world view of eternal heaven and the consequences of sin in this life too, not only to them, but to others too and for generations to come.

3. It gives an opportunity to the ones who are facing the problem to see their condition or at least to seek the truth about their condition and even seek help if necessary. Many Christian have faced martyrdom in their action of love to warn the deviant; compare this with the self centered love of the homosexuals, which is a pure pleasure seeking exercise for selfish gain. (cfr. Jn. 15: 13)

4. It is this acceptance of the evil desires at work in them and the need to rectify that leads a person into close union with the Lord; who died, out of love for us in order to save each one of us from our sinful ways.

On point 2, there are enough scientific studies done on the evil effects of homosexuality and the impact it can even have on children who are raised up by such parents. This evil effect will only multiply. And for a Christian such pulls of this disease is a result of the rejection of God at some stage in a person’s life or in the life of their family and hence the inevitable wrath of God is bound to fall on humanity.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth.” Rom 1:18

What sort of a world are we building with mentally disturbed children, confused on account of the different orientation of their so called parents of the same sex? - A violent generation to follow, disillusioned and depressed, confused and confounded.

This is just one of the consequences of the effects of sin. When the word of God addresses something as sin, it means that it is going to have a severe negative repercussions on the state of human relationships with various elements of nature and more so with the other.

On the other hand, as in pt. 3, to silence a society, in the name of discrimination and hate speech so as not to refer to homosexuality in any form as sinful, is only aimed at creating an intolerant society by forcing an absurd tolerance on the other whose mission is only love and means no harm but good.

Also, just as in case of a person with mental sickness it is difficult to tell the same to them about their real mental condition, likewise there is now a similar trend among the LGBT’s to refuse to accept their condition, even at times being violent to assert their hypothetical rights.

A pathological sickness or criminal tendencies brings a person under custody of someone; either a parent or a doctor or a rehab institution or imprisonment, etc. What will happen to a society when such people who need to come under the custody of someone now assert that they have equal rights and be given freedom to contaminate society with their unnatural orientations; as if the present evil of such criminals in positions of power is not enough!

Very soon, in the name of human rights and freedom, nothing will be considered a crime in society.

If they refuse to accept their condition then those among them, who are genuinely interested in addressing their condition and would want a solution to their problems, will lose out on it. It is like the denial of any serious sickness till the person realizes or may not realize till the end that it is too late to address it.

No society can be built on lose morality, every sound and surviving society has been built on sound moral principles, if not then it has vanished from the face of the earth like Sodom and Gomorrah. (Gen. 18:22- 19:29). Thus we have the term Sodomy.

As for the church, the time is come to preach the gospel that heals and saves, through an earnest call for repentance and forgiveness of sin, with renewed zeal. It may result in a new wave of martyrdom for the faith and may the martyrdom not begin from the persecution that comes from within its rank.

Some quotes for further reflection in order to understand the mind of God as revealed in the Bible: Leviticus 18: 22-30; 20:13; 1 Tim.1: 8-12; Jude 1:7; Mt. 5: 17-19; Titus 2: 11-15; 2 Jn. 9,10)

Should Christians dabble with Yogic Exercises?

2015-06-21T02:01:00.000+05:30

~~>>|~~ Fr. Conrad Saldanha

(I was compelled to write this article in keeping with the urgency of the situation and the sham response of the hierarchy in India and Mumbai to the issue that is eating into the church like cancer)

The world will celebrate world yoga day. While the Muslims have raised their voice against the imposition of yoga, the voices in the government have managed to appease them by removing the suryanamskar from the routine.

The Catholics seem to have welcomed the World Yoga day minus the day chosen, which is a Sunday; a sacred day for Christian. Otherwise they don’t seem to have any objection to the practice of yoga.

Why would the Catholic Church in India not object to Yoga and the world yoga day?

It is solely because the hierarchy themselves, in search of the concealed “ray of that truth” and in seeking to separate the good elements from the bad are indulging in yogic spirituality. Unfortunately it is part of the formation in many of the seminaries in India too.

Could it be true that even the Catholic Church at the UN voted in favor of the world yoga day without assessing the deceptive claims? (Some of these false claims have been answered in this article without highlighting them)

Besides the practice of it, many from the hierarchy seem convinced and have either written introductions to books on the subject, written or commented positively on the subject, conducted sessions and classes or invited others to do the same and some of them are even exporting it to other countries, earning for their lavish lifestyles. Some have either started ashrams or are even heading institutions which promote and claim that they use yoga to reach out in healing for the people; which percentage of claim stands in need of verification because deception is always a fruit thereof.

How compatible is yoga, even the so called exercise form (Hatha Yoga) with Christian spirituality? We need to especially look into what seems to be the most innocuous part of it: The so called physical exercises.(In reality yoga is not mere exercises but always referred to as postures (asanas).

Unlike Hinduism which is free to adapt to a dual or even a multifaceted spiritual lifestyle, a Christian is supposed to be singular in his focus and cannot be dual in his ways, thinking and action. The word of God is supposed to be the primary focus and a basis for discerning and accepting every thought or action and these thought and actions are to ultimately be subjected to Christ through the Church's tradition and magisterium. It is so because we are capable of self-deception, no matter how intelligent and hence the historical action of the Holy Spirit manifested through the rich Catholic Tradition and Magisterium needs to be respected in all humility

There are well defined moral standards too for a Christian, whether he puts it into practice or not. One is supposed to do so without any duality.

All this, for a striving Christian, is made possible on account of the Salvation which Christ Jesus has accomplished on the cross. Jesus offers one the hope, the healing, the health, consolation and courage and above all the eternal salvation.

Therefore, Yoga in any form is unacceptable to a Christian who believes in Christ Jesus, whether it is the meditations or the postures thereof because Christ Jesus offers us the fullness of salvation and not a partial one.

Critical Analysis of the claims of Yogic exercises from a Christian point of view:

Yogic postures are incompatible with Christianity because it is incompatible with truth. In other words, it doesn’t have a basis in truth. For Christians truth is the guiding factor. Unfortunately many may have been deceived into falsity in search of that 'ray of truth' when they either through deception or wickedness of heart missed the fullness of it in Christ Jesus.

The reason why yogic exercises have a growing popularity is on account of its many positive claims; some of which could be true but many are deceptively false, especially from a Christian world view.

Yoga, it is claimed has nothing to do with religion: While many of promoters of yoga claim that it has nothing to do with religion there are some yogi’s who have clearly affirmed that it has everything to do with Hindu religion. Some even accuse and condemn the Christians of trying to separate yogic exercises from the Hindu system and then condemn the Hindu’s as damned. Even though they may be disputes as to its religious leanings but no one seem to dispute as to its origin, which is Hinduism. It should be noted that even if a Christian tries to Christianize the system, it cannot be accepted since it is rooted in Hinduism.

Hence from a purely Christian point of view it has everything to do with religion, if one finds it difficult to understand that then let me put it differently: “Yoga and the postures thereof along with its goals and aims opposes the Christian understanding of Man created in the image and likeness of God.” And hence any such opposition to the Christian faith is a new religion or cult.

Secondly, for a Christian it is important to identify the source for further and right action. In the scripture, in the temptation narratives of Matthew and Luke when Satan comes to Jesus with the pure written word from the Bible, Jesus could have adopted the new principles of modern man in search of the 'ray of truth' in other religions and separated the written word of God from him and observed it diligently but instead rejects it because the source and the application of it is not in God’s interest and thus in the interest of humanity.

Thus the Catholic Church in its document in 2003 makes this element of argument clear: “It is difficult to separate the individual elements of New Age religiosity – innocent though they may appear – from the overarching framework which permeates the whole thought-world on the New Age movement. The gnostic nature of this movement calls us to judge it in its entirety. 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.” (Chp. 4:1; Jesus Christ the bearer of the water of life)

Hence anyone claiming that the church has not taken a stand is only abusing his office to deceive the ignorant laity. Similarly those suggesting that it can be safely practiced apart from its philosophy are already walking in deception and if they are shepherds then they should humbly step down for leading the flock astray for long and for acting to be wise in the ways of God.

Let’s arrive at the truth about the exercises from the existential point first:

The west, steeped in secular, scientific education and materialism, had failed to understand the Christian doctrine and many of them were left empty in their spiritual or psychological quest for God, peace, happiness, solace and relationships. They had the money to buy everything but didn’t realize that the fruit of the gospel was freely available to those who seek it in humility in Christ.

Many entered into the deception of yoga because it claimed that it has nothing to do with religion. Their rejection of religion mired in the pride of education made it difficult for them to see the truth. They may be right in their thinking from their perspective but specifically from a Christian viewpoint it has everything to with religion as you will see from the explanations below.

The Church, in such circumstances, too failed to communicate the gospel of hope to them.

Hence their materialistic pride thought them that they could buy everything, including truth and in return they got the deception they wanted. (cfr. Rom. 1;17 ff)

No human being can attain God on his own wisdom, knowledge or efforts unless they humbly seek it, with perseverance: “You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart.” Jer 29:13 (Bible)

In the same vein yoga is considered scientific too. Though there are some verifiable facts about yoga and certain things about yoga can be verifiably affirmed but some the psycho-social benefits can be disputed about. What is apparent or may be initial benefits or a deceptive feeling of well being on account of partial difference may be claimed as achievements.

For example: India should have been a sporting giant on account of its roots in yoga and practice of yoga in sports but it is definitely a great giant in corruption and creating an index of unhappiness. We still need foreign coaches and trainers to train our sports personals.

The following are the practical reasons why one gets into yogic exercises and how compatible is it with the truth and with the Christian world view:

1. To fight stress or for de-stressing: Most of the stress we experience is due to hurts, un-forgiveness, guilt, every day conflicts and trials of life or taking decisions which are incompatible with one’s abilities. If a Christian can handle these through prayer, confession and sound counseling then does one need to practice yogic exercise to de-stress? I have seen countless number of people being healed of the symptoms of stress through the right approach to prayer and through the Sacramental ministry of the church.

2. To attain peace of mind: Yoga doesn’t offer anyone Peace of mind and those who claim that have not really experienced the real peace which Jesus offers to his followers. In fact what yoga definitely offers is a state of calmness and this is often or even deceptively referred to as peace. It is like a deceptive baker selling his bread as a cake because the natives have never seen a cake.

Since one may imagine that I am only disputing about words; let me explain: If one is disturbed on account of a public insult then yoga deals with it through its method of either breathing or mantra or physical exercises, either by ignoring it, rationalizing it or suppressing it. On the other hand the Christian deals with such disturbances in prayer, either through surrender, forgiveness, letting go of what one has held back. Further, to help the weak do it we have the wisdom of the cross and the grace thereof to attain the peace that surpasses all understanding. (Phil 4:6)

3. For good health: Exercises do give us good health but do they deal with the problem at its root? What is the main reason for most of our ill-health? The few reasons for ill-health:

- Our not being reconciled to the one true God is the primary reason for the ill-health we face in life and this ill-health working in us can ultimately lead us to eternal destruction, even though we may live long on account of our disciplined life of right eating, right sleeping, and right exercises.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received our reconciliation.” Rom 5:8-11 (Bible)

- The bitterness of un-forgiveness can be also a big reason for ill-health and most of our sickness. What would be better: to eliminate the problem or to ignore or rationalize or suppress it or may be just rise above it?

- The guilt of wrongdoing could affect us and lead to some deep emotional problems too. But yoga will seek to ignore guilt as bad and thus suppress or ignore it rather than deal with it as catholic would do through the confessional.

- The pain of deep hurt and rejection can leave deep emotional scars which again could be suppressed through physical exercises.

- The deep rooted fears could be calmed too by yogic exercises with seeking to eliminate the root reason for it.

- Likewise, many other emotional issues are not dealt with in the true human spirit and thus yoga rejects the truth of man.

Yoga through its exercises seeks the physical and spiritual bliss by ignoring the reality of the above mentioned problem.

4. To lose weight/ slim down: On the one hand it is claimed that yoga brings about harmony between man and nature and deal with climate change and on the other hand it does encourage the reduction of weight through exercises; which means indulge yourself and then exercise to lose weight. Compare this with the ascetic spirituality of being frugal with our eating and drinking and thus donating and support the poor and orphans. Which would be more environmentally friendly? Most of these yogi’s are such vegetarian fanatics that they would want to preserve the bovines in order to increase the green house gases in the universe but will not give up on their milk.

5. To remain young and youthful: The new self is self-confident, seeks to achieve, believes in oneself and adopts a spirituality that helps them in their selfish ambition to be achievers at any cost. There is very little of the moral principle at work. What is forgotten is that one could remain perennially young and youthful but lost forever into eternal damnation. Because scripture reminds us that God had reduced Man’s lifespan so that he may, reflecting on death would think of his creator and pay him homage (cfr. Gen 6:3; Ps. 39). Whereas yogic exercise has to lead you the other way: long life and youthfulness but eternal damnation.

6. For better performance: Indeed yoga could help one perform better in rote learning and may be alertness and in concentration minus the moral principles and emotional control! Unless one has brought their sense of morality along on account of their family or school background one is lost in the maze of a deceptively glorified idea. Much of the sound discerning wisdom is in the morality of life’s principles. In India a cow may be of more value and may be worshiped than a human being. I have seen how concern for human life is poor and the karma principle justifies the indifference.

The immense evil in Yoga vis-à-vis the human being is remarkable: Though yoga may offer some of the benefits which I have acknowledged and described above but in keeping with its tall claim it ignores the moral principle in human nature and even the emotional nature of man. The claim of peace, de-stressing, equanimity, etc is at the cost of ignoring of the human conscience. What sets human beings apart from the animal world is their conscience which at times even needs to be formed so that he may respect the other, not cheat or give false hopes and promises and make lofty statements of assurances and not fulfill them and give different value or meaning to the same word of assurance given.

All that unity and harmony that it claims to achieve in man is done minus/without reference to the conscience of man which is either ignored or suppressed or harmonized in oneself in order to create a new situation of health, harmony, goodwill, etc. But what appears apparently to be good is nothing but a creation of an intolerable world view that will not tolerate opposition to its ideological claims once it attains full power.

Finally, a hint of the evil in certain physical exercise revealed in Scripture: “In those days lawless men came forth from Israel, and misled many, saying, "Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles round about us, for since we separated from them many evils have come upon us." This proposal pleased them, and some of the people eagerly went to the king. He authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom, and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil.” 1 Macc 1:11-15 (Bible)

Choose: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him; for that means life to you and length of days,” Deut 30:19-20

For a still more detailed write-up on the subject I plan to write a book. Those interested could kindly write to me at frconrad@rediffmail.com with name, address and the number of copies.

The Deception in Yoga

2011-10-08T23:11:00.002+05:30

~~~Fr. Conrad Saldanha

(May Jesus bless you as you read it prayerfully. Also Pray and reflect on God's Word daily with Fr. Conrad @ http://dedicateddiscipleship.blogspot.com/ )

The practitioners of yoga have often claimed that Yoga has nothing to do with religion. They could be right in their own eyes because they who practice it look at the world in such a manner. But for a Christian, it does not communicate the mind of Christ and His body, the Church. Yoga is the lie of the devil and his deception that is infiltrating the church under the guise of being un-harmful and propagating health benefits which in some cases may be true. What should be understood is this: what is contrary to the Christian faith has to be contrary to the very nature of man and thus in the final ending, harmful for humans and the human race as a whole. Health is not the highest value of life but faith is. One cannot exchange ones eternity for apparent good health and relaxed body here on earth.

And then, one can enjoy better health benefits when one receives the sacramental grace offered through the ministry of the church. Similarly, some claim to have tamed the stuff and call it Christianized yoga, this is a greater deception when one understands the relationship between Truth and lie; a relationship which I am also discussing in my article.

There have been many who have written about the evil of yoga and the reason why one should shun it, though I am unaware of how many have striven to write about it from an existential anthropological angle. Thus the aim of this exercise is to analyze the whole issue from an existential-anthropocentric point of view.

The reality of ourselves from an anthropological perspective: How are humans different and what makes them different from other living creatures?

Human by nature have the capacity to reason and express themselves in varied languages and words. They have a capacity to remember, imagine and create which is unique to their persona. Each is so different from the other that no two human beings even if they look alike are the same in every attribute. They may be similar to each other yet not the same as each other.

Hence in the light of the above, the spirituality a human being imbibes has a marked impact on his persona. If he practices a spirituality that is steeped in mantra, concentration and focus on one object, which could be the breath or a mantra or bodily sensations, then it in no way promotes the uniqueness of his creative abilities. There are better ways to achieve the goal of concentration and relaxation rather than having concentration as its goal.

On the other hand, the aim of Christian prayer is not concentration, though the ability to concentrate better could be the fruit thereof. Jesus never gave his disciple a mantra to utter. To approach God by way of a mantra and / or to think that we should attain God by using a mantra is not only an insult to the persona of the created being and also to a God who has created us with such varied wisdom. We who communicate using a language with many words have to reach such pitiable state in order to communicate with God our creator, is an inhuman exercise. This method of communicating means to go against our very persona; which expresses in varied words and language, with emotions and feelings, with non verbal gestures and expressions. The animal and bird kingdom speak in a mono language each according to their nature speak their own sounds (mantras) to communicate.

Some are foolish enough to compare the Rosary or the holy ejaculatory prayers to a Mantra. If one understands the Christian doctrine on God then one would be both watchful in its practice and welcome the beauty of such devotions. While the Rosary is based on sound Christian doctrine, repeating the words about Mary as revealed in Scripture, its recital never invites one to concentrate. Rather it is an invitation to ponder like Mary on the Mysteries of the life of Jesus, with Mary with us on the pilgrim path. Thus, it should lead us into that contemplation which allows the mystery to work in us through constant revelation. Hence, we do not lose our persona in order to claim oneness with the universe or the cosmic creation whose consequence is often a make believe world ridden in escapism or a form of detachment that suits one’s mindset.

Therefore, Christian meditation or pondering is not an abstract activity that trusts itself but a reliance on a creator in a creator-creature relationship. It is relationship in which we allow the creator to communicate with us his wisdom without which we cannot grow; our vocation to transform the world is thus carried out in union with the God through the Holy Spirit. This is contemplation and is unique to Christianity. A Christian who remains stagnant at only meditation is still a yogi and has not understood the reality of his faith. There are many practitioners of yoga who claim that they now understand faith and scripture better. I pity them for such pride which prevents them to be open to the revelation of God, as in contemplation. This makes them trust their own reasoning’s, with fabulous logic and yet with a sound foundation in falsity and lies.

On the other hand, all the formulated Christian prayers have their sound root in the doctrine of Christ and his tradition. All Christian prayer that is approved and based on sound doctrine is valid and acceptable to God, even if the one reciting it is not doing so with efforts of meditating nor concentrating. It is nevertheless considered effective irrespective, but this degree of effect may vary to the extent to which one is fervent. Thus in Catholic circles we have the concept of ‘ex opera operato’, the heart that is fervent and the intention with which it is prayed adds to the effect. As explained, the rosary is also a prayer that recognizes the limitation of the created being and humbly acknowledging this, calls on God to intervene through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. But if one meditates on the mysteries and recites as per the doctrine of the Catholic Church and then one enters into a state of contemplation allowing God to speak through the Mysteries which are a compendium of the Gospel.

There are other areas of differences too between a Rosary and a mantra but this should suffice.

Unlike a yogic approach, the Christian approach to God is personal. One approaches God with the aim of either asking or communicating or seeking a relationship. Hence it is not an abstract approach to an abstract concept of god. On the other hand the yogic approach ends up ‘with me’ as the centre of the universe; tat tvam asi or aham brahamaasmi (Sanskrit: you are that/ I am he or I am the universal being/ ultimate reality)

In a Christian approach every bit of surrender and submission is strongly rooted in one’s ego which seeks to die to itself and in the end is raised up to a new person, in God’s own image and yet with one’s own uniqueness and quality. Never will a Christian at the end of his prayer experience claim that he is ‘He’ or “I am one with creation.”- Pantheism!

Yoga’s origin is Hinduism and is steeped in a mystery of incoherent understanding of the truth. The Hindu concept of the universe and life can often lead one to doubt in its many beliefs. Yoga comes as an aid to rescue such a mind set of confusion. Doubt in Hinduism is looked down upon as negation of the rational mind that is not still. Therefore it has to be calmed by either the discipline of exercises, mantra or hyper activity as in karma yoga or focusing on objects, a word or breath. The mind that is hyperactive needs to be controlled and focused on in order that one may achieve concentration and altered state. This practice is a great affront to the assimilation and understanding of truth.

Human beings are born to relish and celebrate beauty and truth. Yet truth eludes the human mind in the many reasoning’s of the mind. A glimpse of the truth is enough to give a false sense of satisfaction and to be deceived and be led astray. It is like being so enamored by the beauty of the rose that one fails to see the beauty of the plant. The Christian understanding is this: Truth is not immanent to man and hence he cannot arrive at the truth even through a brain storming session of high profile intellectuals. Yet it is seeking and in knowing and understanding the truth and acting on truth that he finds his real freedom and happiness. In truth is his fulfillment.

Truth is objective and to be understood not as we choose to understand but for its own sake. The moment we seek to understand truth as we want to understand it then we are not doing justice to truth. For the Christian truth is also dynamic, constantly revealing itself and contemplation in the power of the Holy Spirit is the way to assimilate it.

Whereas the Hindu concept of truth and its understanding is this : one is in the truth already and it has to be realized through meditation and yoga, i.e. by attaining knowledge, achieving enlightenment and realization through yoga is the method to arrive at such consciousness. Good and evil are almost non-existent concepts and truth diminishes into an abstraction wherein everything is considered to be a part of the cosmic universe. Morality which is an important component of truth is low on the quotient and is ignored totally in the spiritual achievements of the yogi. Suffering and poverty, the existential reality, is attributed to one’s karma or previous life and one’s destiny is already pre-ordained. Detachment here means being separated from the realities and confrontations of daily life. Pain, hunger, desires or carnal manifestations are part of the manifestation of the universal being. How to explain concrete realities of poverty and pain and sufferings? Attribute it to one’s Karma=deeds done in previous life.

How then does one handle matters of truth and morality and the existential realities of life? An ordinary human being confronts this reality or may rationalize about it and if necessary may even take an aggressive posture to deal with it. The Yogi on the other hand deals with it through the structure and methodologies which boastfully is affirmed as being well rooted in ancient religious wisdom. This yogic methodology ignores the basic reality of life and enters a world of experiences which is termed as the god experiences by some or a state of bliss or nirvana, etc. by others.

Truth sought through the subjective human conscience is totally ignored. Hence many among the Clergy who have trodden this path have been highly wary of the confessional and have even abused the confessional making a mockery of the sacrament besides suppressing the truth of Christ. Morality, which communicates truth, is the dynamic ray of the truth of life.

They who have dabbled with such occult practices have often been in the forefront of attack against the prayer group spirituality, retreat centers and the sound teaching of Christ and the Catholic faith in matters of sin and morality. “They induce guilt” is the popular allegation and why will they not when they are in a state of deceptive bliss achieved through human effort, i.e. yoga, vipassana, etc. They ignore the reality of the self that finds true fulfillment in truth; which includes the moral element too.

The most deceptive element of this spirituality is the love that they often talk about. Of being kind to everyone and doing good but the most practical aspect of this love and kindness is overlooked: morality, truth, forgiveness and commitment is of no or less value. Relativism and perspectavalism are objective truths, a contradiction in the contradictions they hold on to. It is a way of willfully shutting out the truth about God arising in the conscience of every human being. “Undeniably, those who willfully shut out God from their hearts and try to dodge religious questions are not following the dictates of their consciences, and hence are not free of blame” (GES. Para 19:3, Vat II).

Jesus, the perfect one, reveals man to himself (cfr. GES 22, Vat. II) which includes his sinful and immoral state cut off from God. He came to set this imbalance of relationship right with God and one another through the reconciliation of the cross. He speaks to the conscience of every man especially those who have submitted to the obedience of faith to lead a life worthy of his calling by the power of the Holy Spirit received in Baptism. The Holy Spirit constantly working a programme of renewal, through repentance faith and surrender, transforms us from one degree of glory to another (2 Cor. 3:18).

Hence, reason and doubts are not shunned but meet their satisfaction in the search for truth in Christ Jesus who claimed to be the way, the truth and the life and the one way to the Father and no one goes to the Father except through him (Jn. 14:6).

In the light of the above we can say that Yoga then deceives at two major levels. In the first major and immediate way, it deceives the self through its methodologies whereby one through its practice unknowingly walks the path of escapism in an experience which can be compared to that of a drug addict; a altered state of mind. There are some who have come out of it and acknowledge this element of the psychedelic experiences. This is further affirmed by experts who vouch that the experiences of yogic arousals are the same like that of psychotropic hallucinatory drugs. In India, in some place there are a band of yogi’s who achieve their spiritual goal through the use of such drugs.

The second major deception is that of relegating everything to the deep, the subconscious, and building a wall surrounded by an experience of deception. This wall is often difficult to break through both for the practitioner or the one seeking to help the victim of yogic philosophy through the truth of the gospel. Unless the practitioners cry unto God to liberate them from such self imposed bondage which they have put themselves in they will never be free.

In my experience in ministering to people with such background of dabbling with the New Age, I have often come across cases of such deception. They reason and have great confidence in their ability to reason out things scientifically and logically. But they have forgotten the important drawback of logic, viz. that of basing oneself on a wrong premise: All that is logical is not necessarily the truth but the other way is true, all that is truth is always logical, but the yogi finds it difficult to grasp it and sees them as foolish.

There was this person who was involved in the art of living. He had come with problems in interpersonal relationship wherever he went. He was often discouraged from practicing the calming exercise, the yogic methodology of calming oneself. But after many reminders and prayers and not without much arguments with logical reasonings that he came one fine day to confess that though he practiced the calming exercise yet within himself he always had this raw feeling of agitation and becoming boisterous often.

A total renunciation doesn’t comprehensively handle the problem. At our retreats I would encourage those who had dabbled with such occult to renounce or strictly follow the discipline of the retreat. I would tell them that Christian silence is different from that of the yogic silence. Here in the Christian silence you are still communicating to the living God while the yogic silence is communication with an abstract reality with abstract techniques and methodologies. Those who obeyed the discipline of silence as followed at the DD retreats emerged successfully contemplating the beauty of God in all that they did but others went away empty.

Another case was of a woman who had gone for a vipassana (Buddhist form of yoga, which focuses on the breathing and bodily sensations. Since her conscience was compromised and was into activities which have its roots in Marxism, she had great difficulty to comprehend the truths of the faith and hence couldn’t deal with her larger fears and anxieties since they were suppressed in the deep subconscious and hence suffered many fears and pains.

As mentioned at the outset, one may ask; how come they who practice these New Age practices receive healing. My contention is this, the healing may be real but it is again rooted in deceiving the body. While the healing received through the practice of Yogic exercise is different from those received from the practice of yogic meditation. When a certain nerve causes pain the doctors have two broad options whether to allow the processes of healing through medicine or other forms of palliative care or go for a surgery to cut the pain causing nerve. Both options are not of equal value and significance, the former, if possible, is always a better option. Yet the doctor and the patient could say; “look I want quick results”, this can lead to long term disaster. Likewise the yogic healing is for this life and cuts us one off from the eternity of life which God has prepared for those who seek their Salvation from him who paid a great price to offer it to them; the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.

Similarly, the effect of yoga can lead to immediate gain but an eternal disaster for ignoring the truth which Jesus came to reveal in order to give us eternal life.

The Catholic Church warns about the evil of yoga through its various documents. Here below I would like to mention the two documents:

1) In 1989 the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith (SCDF) came out with a letter called “Orationis Formas” on some aspects of the Christian meditation.

2) The second one was written by PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR CULTURE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE, on 6^th Feb. 2003, “JESUS CHRIST THE BEARER OF THE WATER OF LIFE” A Christian reflection on the “New Age”

Some ask whether we could separate the exercise from the yogic meditation. If you want to eat the food products of Fukushima after the radiation risk in spite of knowing it then it is to your destruction. Similarly, since we know for sure that the exercises, however healthy and beneficial it may be, but, ultimately has its roots in Hinduism, leads to destruction, then we are opting to walk the treacherous path. “It is difficult to separate the individual elements of New Age religiosity – innocent though they may appear – from the overarching framework which permeates the whole thought-world on the New Age movement.” (JCBWL: A Christian reflection on “NewAge”: Chp. 4:1)

Some prefer to practice what they call the safer and good elements of yoga, yet the above document, which I have quoted from, clearly warns about the dark and grim reality. Similarly, you cannot say to yourself I will take the name of Jesus while doing the exercise. It is like using a vessel used for unclean purpose for a noble purpose. Do not abuse the most Holy name of Jesus and crucify him again in your hearts for shortsighted selfish gain.

Truth has to be sought for its own sake. We cannot say now we understand truth better because of yoga. A contaminated vision cannot make us see things better even though that person may claim that he can see well. Similarly, those immersed in yoga and its philosophy may see things better through the glasses yet it is not a perfect vision in comparison to the direct vision. If the glass is tainted then the seeing also becomes tainted, though the one seeing through the taint may think that it is normal to see in such fashion. It is like this Alcoholic, with wife and children left to fend for themselves, who once told me that he was not wrong by drinking; because he was only harming himself, so why should his wife and children complain and nag him. The self was more important to him than the others towards whom he had a responsibility and commitment.

Yoga’s base as discussed above is a deception and not based on truth. A lie can’t make truth better. Whereas truth can enhance a lie to make it look better and more convincing; a good lie always contains a good bit of truth. In other words; lie added to truth only makes it a greater lie full of deception, likewise truth added to lie again qualifies for the same state. Truth stands alone and does not require the help of lie to qualify or enhance it.

Jesus is the truth that saves. The incarnate eternal Word of God is also the revelation of God to the human race in need of the truth that saves. He fully reveals man to himself and has given us knowledge about himself and us. He has revealed to us our true worth and yet in his great mercy and love revealed to us the great mercy of God to save us from our state of sin; a state that prevents us from knowing the truth unless we turn to him in faith. Faith is the foundation to know him; faith is also the beginning to receive this revelation of God. Faith which is expressed through all humility can even lift us up to his level because God is pleased with such humble trust. He does this by pouring into our hearts his life and love (Rm.5:5) so that through his Spirit of Sonship we may continue in the grace, daily nourished at his Eucharistic table and striving in the world.

If you have dabbled in yoga, vipassana or any other New Age spirituality then it is high time you said no to it and renounce this before the living God and turn to Jesus in all humility for help. Wait on him and ask him to guide your life by giving you his Holy Spirit, who he promised will guide us into all truth. (Jn.16:13)

Prayer: Father your Word is truth, forgive me for not accepting your word as your word and thus not allowing you to speak to me through it.

The need for a correction to the Inner-Healing Process

2011-10-01T03:23:00.000+05:30

Fr. Conrad Saldanha Part II

When teachers give homework for the child to work on they generally know that the child is capable enough to do it. Now, if the parent does the homework and leaves nothing for the child then the child will never grow in being independent and know and realize the intricacies of life.

Likewise, a parent will not always carry a child and make them walk. The real joy is in seeing a child walk and even seeing the child walk for the first time.

Similarly, any healing process that seeks diligently to remove the obstacles that apparently seem to hinder can lead to dangerous pitfalls.

If the crosses and the obstacles of daily life are taken out of the way, the most vicious spirit of pride could reign in our hearts.“The beginning of man's pride is to depart from the Lord; his heart has forsaken his Maker.” Ecclus. 10:12

Speaking of the dangers of pride, St. Paul reveals; “And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor 12:8-10

The debate to know this messenger of Satan we leave it to the experts for the moment. But what is strongly brought across in the above is the direct revelation in vs9 which assures every human with weaknesses, the power of God’s grace released on the cross to attain perfection. Not in achieving perfection based on human priorities but a perfection that is based on God’s priority. This should be the goal of all healing. A healing that makes us forget God and enables us to leave him behind is detrimental to our call of true discipleship.

Another point of contention is this: Does healing have a higher value than the faith we profess? There are many who have deviated from the faith by even proclaiming healing through every kind of New age methodologies such as Yoga, Vipassana, Pranic healing, Cosmic energy, and other such therapies which are contrary to the faith. When challenged the fruit of such practices, especially the healing they have received thereof, is provided as a justification for continuation in such philosophies and therapies.

The Psycho-analytical methods used in inner healing can be fraught with such danger. Its rash application and a heavy usage in prayer groups can be compared to the pre-matured handling of the cocoon which results in the death of the worm.

In the Bible we do not have explicit teachings on the aspect of inner healing. But like some doctrines of the Church which finds implicit mention in some statements of Scripture so also the concept of inner healing could be routed in forgiveness and seeking the Lordship of Jesus in every area of our life, which includes the past, the present and the future; for he is a God who was and is and is the one to come. He is God who has created all things and so the old is gone and the new is ushered in by his power. Many a times the emphasis is predominantly on the inner core or the subconscious making it comfortable to the long standing scare, pain or anxiety. There is a certain sense of well being and a feeling of wholeness which may ultimately lead to healing.

Hence any inner healing which follows an abstract methodology, detached from God (though God is mentioned yet in the process what comes across is that we can do it without him) by way of pure therapeutic techniques needs to be banned from the Church and needs to be condemned. It is unfortunate that some seem to apparently have Christianized the process but yet it is in many ways no different from the New age methodologies in the whole process and approach. Hence practitioners of this type of inner healing go about freely testifying to other new age spiritualities and practices too. What is practiced can be termed as value based spiritualities, without a need for divine intervention.

The extent to which the Lord is put into the whole process is important and necessary. You cannot separate him and at the same time he needs to be given the legitimate place. The Lord as being primary and not our healing; this will communicate the major difference between therapeutic approach and divine approach to it. So also the human priority should not be a hindrance to the responsibility which Jesus has placed on his followers to carry the crosses of daily life, which in turn is a participation in the Cross of Christ.

It is our many weaknesses which make us humble enough to trust him more than ourselves and this trust is necessary for our salvation.

One of the sound bases to discourage these psycho-analytical processes of inner healing is in the dynamics of the Christian calling; God in Christ Jesus has called us not because we were perfect but in spite of our sinfulness. Scripture in Romans 5:6 reminds us that “While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Therefore of prime importance is that change of heart and sinful attitude of hostility towards God which prevents us from recognizing him and following Christ. Hence the sinful tendencies (concupiscence as understood by St. Augustine) and the lack of clarity on sin and wrongdoing may remain for a time and perhaps for a long time to come. But the call to stay on course in following the Master should grow in intensity. The stronger the current that seeks to lead us away from loving God and following him, the stronger should be our efforts and perseverance to stay on course in the journey of life with Jesus.

The over emphasis on inner healing can be an obstacle on this journey and can take our focus away from the Master who has accepted us and called us to follow him. This primary act of repentance requires a mere change of heart and attitude towards God; from that of hostility to one of willing obedience and love.

In this journey, we know that humans have a capacity to exceed themselves beyond their limits and this is further enhanced with a helping hand from Jesus our Savior and the Church which like a huge ship is on course in the same direction. The food for this journey is the Word and Sacrament.

We even see beauty and meaning in life when we see humans in spite of their many handicaps winning the battles of life’s journey, though many times they do so for a worldly crown which is perishing. How much we need to do this for Christ who assures us of a surer crown, for those who strive. St. Ignatius of Loyola calls it Magis: what more can I do for you God, and I would like to add, in return for all that you have done and continue to do for me?

I know of situation and cases where people have been possessed and going through all sorts of oppression in their struggle over sin and right action. They easily stand condemned in the sight of men for sinful action and wrongdoings. Those who have been given the power to heal and set the captives free from their bondages have instead opted for the path of judging them as criminal and bad witnesses of the Lord. Perhaps, if they had looked at the log in their own eye then they would never have stooped to condemn the chosen ones of God. The visible sins of men are more irksome to him then the invisible weaknesses. What the world and people have to say are the new criteria for judging the grievousness of sin.

But God who knows the inner reality of each one of us, the one who looks at the heart of a man and judges unlike man who looks at the outside, also knows whom to show mercy and why. (Rom.9:15; Ex.33:19) Hence his judgment is never unjust or predestined.

As a result, a person who has not experienced inner healing, should never brood over his or her poor fate, nor should the one who has never been for one or failed to receive healing at the inner healing session itself; instead it should increase their resolve to follow him with their many faltering.

It is the Lord that matters and how we love him. Our weaknesses are never a impediment but can be a boost to seek his face more. They become opportunities to offer up to the Lord our bodies as a living sacrifice as we fight and struggle against the many cravings of the flesh.

Prayer: Lord I thank you for accepting me into your family. May I strive in my daily struggles against my many sinful tendencies to live a life worthy of your calling.

The need for a correction to the Inner-Healing Process

2011-09-24T03:50:00.002+05:30

Fr. Conrad Saldanha Part I

Having been in the ministry of inner healing and experienced the entire inner healing process, I believe there is an urgent need to correct certain aspects of the process, its vision and goal.

At our DD (Discipline and Discernment) retreats, we would make it a point to emphasize this need i.e. for a right and correct attitude in the face of certain drawbacks to the inner healing process.

There have been many instances of lacunae in the inner healing process.

I was once ministering to a girl who was facing many problems on account of the abusive nature of the relationship she was in. The boy would be abusive, beating the girl, using all sorts of abusive language and with threats of using force against her and the family.

For the sake of her attaining immediate mental peace in order to overcome the trauma of those moments, it was necessary to pray with her for healing of memories. But, this in no way helped her situation. For after having come out of that state they would patch up again even though it was discouraged as being highly risky. The advice to corrective measure would also get ignored. Perhaps a supportive assurance and by allowing the individual to remain in the pain and encouraging her to handle it prayerfully with the right Christian attitude would have helped her greatly than a quick fix solution.

This above example communicates a point at a very human level.

I was told of an individual who was ministered to by someone who has been quite experienced in the ministry of inner healing. The person was suffering from a low self image and had some skin allergy too. The deep rooted rejection and pain was handled through a process of inner healing therapy. Yet it never really encouraged the boy to seek God once the healing process was in place. This was because the relevance of God in the life of the individual was never emphasized.

Another area in question is this: What happens when a person does not receive the assured healing, even though, the triggering factors is well known? Many times, a person goes through a tremendous guilt and trauma in one’s relationship with God and one another for not having received the healing that one has so diligently sought for.

There are many such stories of deficiencies in the goal and aims of inner-healing. What then are some of the dangers of the Inner-healing process that should make us tread with caution and should spur us on to make a course correction in our whole approach to it? For this we need to explore a brief into the historicity and background of the whole process.

A brief about its origin and background: The subject has its roots in the Freudian and Jungian psychology. Agnes Sanford a Pentecostal was among the first adherents of a methodology that tried to combine spirituality with the principle of the Psycho-analytical methodology. Freud believed that at the root of every human behavior was a background in subconscious stimuli received at some point in the growing stage and hence the reason for human behaviour. What Freud had discovered was true to a large extent. But to attribute every regression to the subconscious is the debatable element in the whole concept.

You need to attend an inner healing retreat, they say, in order to handle a particular areas of weakness. Many times the emphasis especially, among prayer groups on this element is so much that even God takes the back seat and healing the first place. Even post inner healing, the situation now being better, one has forgotten the God who has healed. One then goes on with life as usual, returning to their former lifestyle of sin and wrongdoing.

Here below, I want to explore the two reasons which can help us understand the limitations of the Inner-healing process and the caution we need to exercise in the unbridled application of this therapeutic methodology:

The first is the anthropological nature of humans from a Christian point of view; the body, mind and soul, with each having a role to play in the development of the individual with eternity as its ultimate goal.

Hence every experience and pain and trauma that one undergoes has an important role to play in one’s formation and development. For a Christian, the body is not a unnecessary evil that has to be discarded: sooner the better! But rather the body is an instrument of our transformation through much learning. This is made possible through the many experiences and stimuli that it receives and the way it is interpreted and applied. In this body, with its experiences and subject to the law of Christ, is what develops the inner man which in Christ Jesus is transformed from one degree of glory to another.

It is through the sufferings which we undergo that we are transformed much. Therefore Jesus says; Carry your cross daily and follow me. Part of the suffering is the daily pain of the temptation of sin, which for a Christian is never a palatable action as one seeks to please God out of love for him and his laws. These sufferings in a Christian crucible, makes us all the more human and meek. Surely the meek shall inherit much and even eternity for they shall be shown mercy.

Likewise the mind transformed through the Word of Christ, despite all the pulls of the body is what Christianity is all about. Christ salvific action in us is a total sanctification of mind, body and soul. Hence the struggles of daily life can be sought to be mitigated by inner healing but in the long run can have a negative effect if this freedom is not used to seek God’s glory.

On the other hand we need to dwell on the nature of sin and its many manifestations, and the constant deception in which we live as humans, especially the deception of being blind to the whole concept of sin and its priority.

The sinful nature in human beings and the various wrongs that one commits can be broadly classified into two categories:

1) The Divine priority

2) The human priority

Unfortunately, even in Christian or Catholic circles, these two categories of sin or wrongdoing is not explored or understood so as to apply proper remedial measures to alleviate the sufferings of the penitents who come to priests for solace and healing.

There are some sins that bother human beings more than God and we may even think that we are doing God a favor when we become activists to vanquish it either from our own lives or from the lives of others. Guilt or the human agenda for revenge become a determining factor in the human priority and one is not able to see the deception we are enmeshed in. “They know not what they do” holds true here.

A mere lie could disturb us more and we could browbeat the whole issue than if a person fails to witness to the truth and love of God or spend time in prayer in his presence. A person dabbling with new age spirituality may never be looked on with so much contempt than a man who has committed adultery; though the other is an adulterous relationship with the spiritual world of darkness. Though both are sins which one is more heinous in the sight of God? Here it is not the question of which is more heinous, it is that the other may be totally overlooked and ignored and maybe, one even finds reasonable justification when confronted.

In drawing attention to some of these human priorities, I also want to bring to the forefront the whole issue of inner healing: Many times we encourage people to seek healing or even individuals may seek healing in keeping with the human priority. “I want God to heal me of a particular weakness because I find myself in an embarrassing position. I am afraid of the rejection that I experience on account of the pain, fear and anxiety thereof. God’s commandment and the category of sin and its viciousness may never be the priority of the individual.

God may be telling us; “My child I love you just the way you are, my grace is made sufficient where there is weakness. Just as the heavens are far above the earth so also my ways are not your ways. In keeping with my priority I want to deal with that particular area which is nagging in my eyesight and I need to deal with that first” or I want to leave the weed and wheat to grow together so that there is no patch mark left in your life and the wheat will grow better.”

It is better to have all the scars of sin, which may even present us a bad witness in deeds (After all human judgment is flawed with irrelevant expectations) than to have every scar of sinful tendencies vanquished in us and have no God. To have Jesus in our lives is much important than to have a perfect, upright life but deprived of God.

Does this mean we discard inner healing completely? (We shall answer this question and the alternatives we have towards resolving this problem in Part II…)

Prayer: Lord, may I not seek to please myself but you. In pleasing you, my soul will be at rest and enjoy your peace.

Whom did Christ offer his blood to? Part II

2011-09-17T02:26:00.001+05:30

}}}}-- Fr. Conrad Saldanha

A mother once shared with me about the changed behavior pattern of her son after his marriage. She said that he has married a woman who has great love for wealth, money, rich living and who has managed to keep him under her thumb and control. This has resulted in a changed behavior pattern in him whereby he now lets out his frustration and anger on his parents.

One practical angle of the consequence of sin which we normally avoid in our deliberations is this; the so called weak in society can be more seductive instruments of sin if their weaknesses are not in submission to God’s saving action.

The weak woman can be more dangerous in manipulating the strength of the strong man to her advantage and cause further unrest in society. As in the first instance at Genesis so also it is now.

In a family where kids grow together, the smallest can manipulate the parents in various ways, for eg. influencing the parent in punishing the elder child. The fruit of such subtle common and everyday action steeped in self preservation and survival, which we may sometimes call the politics of daily life, is that it results in making a scapegoat of the more upright.

What would happen if there was no law and order and it was a free for all society? We would be no different from the savages and the barbarians. Perhaps still worse without religions which inculcated the element of fear in people!

Jesus changed the rules of the game totally. In him we see what humans are capable of in their sinful manipulative behavior. The most innocent man in human history has been condemned to death. Will it be any different if he would come again, after having learnt the lesson from our ancestors and from the Bible? No, a majority would still do it. An innocent threatens and intimidates us more than a criminal and a manipulator. Dealing with a weak brings out the best from our criminal store house than when dealing with the strong. Just a reflection on the unharmed aborted babies is a visible proof of the criminal behavior of the civilized humanity. An honest and simple man is much more a threat than a dishonest man and if there was no law then we would even eat them raw.

Blood for blood was the Old Testament law: eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. It only leaves room for dishonest lies and manipulation for survival with twists and turns. Yet that was the best till a more sure faith was revealed in Christ Jesus.

In the death and suffering of the most truthful man in the history of the human race we see the consequences of degradation of humanity due to sin. We may come up with pleasant theories and sit in judgment even over God. How can God demand blood if he is a loving God? Yet, He doesn’t require blood for his sake; he requires it for our sake. So that by the blood that we shed by our sinful manipulative and selfish action, we who deserve death by his justice, may now be atoned for and receive his mercy. So that, especially the weak, poor and outcast, who seeks his salvation, may find it.

Jesus is God’s permanent and once and for all solution for the human race heading towards the omega point of disintegration and death.

It is as if God saying: “I need to see the blood of my Son in order that I may have mercy on the human race who sin against me and one another. Christ is the mediator between God and man, who entered God’s presence on behalf of humanity by his own blood so that he could plead for us before his Father in heaven for mercy and forgiveness. The Father seeks to reach out to us in love exactly in the sinful situation in which we are. When we see him coming and respond to his saving help then can we have life through the redemptive action of Christ’s blood shed for us.

As for men, it is poured out for many as a sin offering. It becomes a reminder and atonement for our sins. Take and drink and take and eat are indication that we are the ones who are the actual beneficiaries, even if we don’t understand the full significance of what Christ has done for us. So at every Eucharist we partake of the cup and eat the flesh. This Eating and Drinking is also a participation in the life of Christ and the Trinitarian life of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood.” (Lev 17:11, 14) One significant element of the offering of the blood was atonement and this atonement warded off death and curse and evil and restored life. “..for it is the blood that makes atonement, by reason of the life.” (Lev 17:11)

Thus the price that Scripture talks about and which Jesus paid was not to the Devil but rather a price that he had to pay in fulfilling the Father’s will which included his plan to save us. It could also be put as the price that Jesus paid in order to redeem us. It is more an expression of a figure of speech that communicates the extent to which Jesus sacrificed and offered himself in order to save us. The Devil gains nothing whereas it is all to the advantage of “the humanity” who believes and accepts God’s offer of Salvation. This is why Jesus sent his disciples to the ends of the earth, so all those who believe in Him may not perish but may be the recipient of God’s mercy through the great outpouring of His precious blood.

This great offering of the blood gives us life and life in abundance. (Jn. 10:10) It was life that we required to overcome our weakness to sin and the fear of death. So too we needed a sure hope of life not only after death, but even here on earth. Jesus did it for us by making us participants in the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity; the very life of God, which is eternal.

It is easy for the devil to live on dead creatures i.e. creatures separated from God by virtue of their resistance to accept his salvation. The devil can thus deceive and prod them who lack the will to resist in order to cause them to further rebel and sin. But he who has the life of God has the same power over sin and wrong doing as Jesus. This process is gradual and works best when we cooperate with his grace.

This can be best explained through the allegory of the sick body which is captured by the sin of germs and bacteria’s. The Doctor does not give the medicine to placate the infection and germs. On the other hand he could kill the germs by giving them an appropriate dose of antibiotics. Another way a wise doctor can deal with it, is to work out a programme of removing the deeper causes and underlying causes which normally has to do with the mental and dietary regimen and thus build the immune system of the patient which in turn takes over to push infection out of the system. Similarly, Christ has strengthened us and does that at every Eucharistic banquet with his Body and Blood so that the hold the evil one has over us is reduced and vanquished. Unfortunately, many of us do not realize the full significance of Christ’ action in the Eucharist and hence fail to avail of the full benefit of this elixir of life.

The devil reaps where he does not sow and reaps on the life which God has provided the human race. Satan and the army of evil angels sought the blood of Jesus too and were instrumental according to the will and plan of God in the Crucifixion. They through the hands of wicked men crucified Jesus who laid down his life according to his own free will.

Was the blood offered to Satan and did he get it, though he sought it in keeping with his blood thirsty nature? No, what Satan sowed and labored for he couldn’t reap, he is a cursed being equally in the fray. His gain became a curse for him. He would not even dare to see the most precious blood of Jesus that hangs like a curse or a noose for him. Satan flees at the very sight and the naming of the precious blood of Jesus. It makes him tremble and shake the moment the most sacred blood of Jesus is proclaimed.

Therefore, the Devil is not appeased by Jesus in any way but Jesus by offering his Body and blood, the perfect nourishment to those who receive him in a worthy manner, has strengthened us in every way. Jesus keeps doing it at every Eucharistic meal with the Word, Sacrament and the believing church in the power and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. This is the very life of God which we have and which we walk in and made possible by Jesus by ransoming us by his blood.

The real beneficiaries are we who believe and accept this plan of God’s salvation. The blood of Christ then becomes a sanctifying instrument through the forgiveness of sin. Just as the body in an infection has the capacity to fight and overthrow the infection through proper palliative care likewise the redemptive action of Christ Jesus becomes a constant strength for the soul to overcome the temptation and vile of the evil one. We are fortified at every Eucharist to go out in his name and be victorious if only we know and receive his redemptive action in a worthy manner.

Those in the ministry of deliverance and those who often find themselves in great oppression can now hope for a greater fruit by seeking to avail of the power unleashed by the blood of Jesus on the cross.

Prayer: Lord, cover me with your precious blood, so that I may always be under your watchful and protective eye and that your angel of life, seeing this seal of protection, ward off every evil force that strives against your plan for me.

Whom did Christ offer his blood to? Part I

2011-09-10T05:32:00.000+05:30

}}}}-- Fr. Conrad Saldanha

A pastor once preached from the pulpit and said that Jesus offered his blood to the devil as a ransom for the salvation of mankind. This is the price that he had to pay for our sins so that we could be free from the clutches of the devil. The whole world and all people are in the clutches of the evil one. The love of God is shown in this; He died offering his blood as a ransom to the evil one.

The idea of Jesus offering his blood to the Devil as a ransom for us can send many on a wild goose chase. But put in another way it can be a subject of a hot theological debate and which I myself would like to participate, answering the dispute in a two part series: “Whom did Jesus offer his blood to, in order to redeem us?”

There have often been attempts in the past to explain this at various times and various moments.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) only emphasizes on the offering of Christ’ whole life to the Father (606-7)

On the other hand the scripture which is normally quoted to give us the impression that Christ Offered himself to the Father is the text from Hebrews:

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Heb 9:11-14

The argument then offered which makes many retract is this: How can God who is a loving Father require blood for appeasement. What difference is there between the God of the pagans and the Christian God?

The argument concerning Jesus offering his blood to the devil is a strong argument in some circles. Jesus has paid a price to ransom us who are under the power of the devil. Sin held us captive to the devil and we need to be redeemed from this captivity to the Devil and Jesus offered his blood to the devil in order to free us from this captivity to the devil; the price he paid to redeem us. “..You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”(1 Cor 6:19-20) Or the other text: “You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.” 1 Cor 7:23-24

I propose that the problem has to be looked at from a broader perspective taking into consideration the Old Testament and also the relationship between God, Man and Satan. These are the 3 characters in the whole drama of redemption and each have a role to play. It is my opinion that all three had a stake in the Blood of Christ (life of Christ) in three different manners and that is the price that Jesus came to pay. To whom did he pay is the question we dwell on and seek to answer.

A little historical background in the light of the Old Testament would help us in understanding the role of each of the characters and their role.

The offering of sacrifices is seen in the very first book, in the first children of Adam and Eve. By the time of Moses the laws of offering a sacrifice are streamlined with the appointment of the Levitical priesthood. The sacrifices for sin, under the Law, were sin-offerings: Lev. 4:3,4,23,24,27,31,34 and 35; Exod. 30:10; Lev. 5:11,12and Lev. 9:2,6,7, and 2 Chron. 29:7-10,20-24.

In the Old Testament the offering was clearly made to God for the atonement of one’s self for sin. The blood of the bull or goat or lamb was collected by the priest and was sprinkled on the veil of the sanctuary.

Which clearly suggests that God required of them, an atonement with blood in order that his wrath may not come on the sinners who have broken his laws and commandments. In this we learn that there is a relationship between sin and blood. Sin that is the result of breaking God’s commandment not only brings about a further divide between God and man but also separates man from each other. The worst consequence is that it reduces his life span through the working of the wrath of God, even leading to death. (Rm. 6:23) Thus atonement is through the blood; the life of a lesser creature than humans was the norm in the Old Testament.

Hence the significant point that we have in the Old Testament is that of a vulnerable humanity steeped in sin and wrong doing and the resultant bondage which is detrimental to his immediate wellbeing and eternal happiness. Therefore God has to intervene and offer them a solution that would represent and would be a fore runner to the ultimate plan which would unfold at an appointed time in history; Jesus, the Lamb of God who will come and offer himself as sacrifice to redeem us from under the power of death and sin.

Where Satan comes in the picture? As far as the Old Testament Sacrifice is concerned, Satan’s role finds no mention. But it is important to keep in mind the pagan sacrifices which were ghastly demonic and an offering to appease the deity whom the Apostle Paul would even refer to as Demons; “I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God.” (1 Cor 10:20) The aim of their exercise was to appease Satan and the evil spirits so as to ward them off through satisfaction. This practice is still a common practice in pagan and modern paganised cultures especially if they are assailed by evil spirits and when they have to undertake a major task or for other evil purposes. Blood of fowl or goats or bulls are offered in order to appease the deity or wandering spirits in order to ward-off any obstacles or evil.

Reflecting on man; the key character and primary centre among God’ vast creation. Ever since his fall the first man came under a curse, subjected to pain and suffering. Humans lost the sense of God and came under the power of sin and death, the power of the evil one. In the history of the Old Testament we see a gradual decline in morality and goodness and a growing trend towards creating their own gods. If we analyze sin then the primary sin is that of losing the sense of the one true God who created us and instead creating the one which suits our reasoning’s and fascination.

Yet there is one thing that’s common both among some of the pagan religions of those times and the early ancestors of Noah and others and that is the offering of the blood sacrifice to make atonement for the guilt of one’s sins and to appease the deity in order to receive favors.

When it comes to humans, the Bible clearly forbids the consumption of blood in any form. Yet in the history of the human race they have been abundant of instances of torture, murder, wars and even the drinking of human blood either as part of a ritual or apart. These have not just been an ancient reality but even in our times, these things exist in various measures. Often we find the best solution employed for survival and peace is the destruction of the other.

Have humans been a slave to Satan, yes, each according to their sinfulness and choices are in a way under the yoke of the evil one. Therefore we are also under the power of sin; Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. (John 8:34) And then there is death under whose power we are subjected to and against which we constantly struggle against for survival. “..who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” Heb 2:14

Thus sin and death which are a visible reality are the weapons of Satan to trouble humans, especially the power thereof of guilt, shame, fear, uncontrollable anger, greed, addiction and every form of destructive behavior patterns. One under the deception and influence of the devil begins to believe and think that it is self gratification is necessary in order to survive. The human nature by default manifests a pattern of behavior which seeks survival over death, gratification over sacrifice because of the many fears and anxieties, including the fear of death. “And you, who once were estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds” (Col. 1:21)

In the light of the above we shall now place Christ Sacrifice in its proper context; all three had a stake in the bloody sacrifice of Christ.

Though the God of the Old Testament desired as necessitated by human sinfulness that atonement be done by the blood of bulls and goats yet it was never his desire to continue with the bloody sacrifice of atoning with blood. It was as if he was waiting for a special moment, the appointed time to send his son Jesus to finish off with the ritualistic requirement according to the law that governed our life. The atonement with blood was necessary in order to prevent us from falling further prey to the devil, the angel of death.

(To be continued in Part II)

Prayer: Lord prepare my heart and mind that I may reap the benefit of the precious blood of Jesus Christ and thus participate fully in the life of Christ and the Most Holy Trinity.

Universal Brotherhood and Humanism

2011-09-02T23:18:00.001+05:30

As a catholic priest I was invited, this week, to an inter-religious seminar. I was briefed that I would have to speak about my faith. On preliminary enquiry, I was not given much detail concerning the programme and the theme. The theme at the entrance itself, read loud and clear: Revival of universal brotherhood and humanism. Though this may not shock many, I was shocked.

When I saw the theme I realized that I did not fit in with the so called pseudo-intellectuals who would display their merchandise and have scant regard for the truth.

At the outset itself, I was introduced to one of the key figures, who was an ex-IAS (Indian Administrative Service and still active), considered to be a well read man. In our preliminary discussion it was evident, that in his conviction and zeal to achieve this goal, he was willing to suppress every form of resistance through strong intellectual assertions, and he had a willing audience to accept it.

He held a view: “When people believing in different religions will get united and cooperate for reviving global brotherhood and humanism there will be no problem in bringing about world unity.” He even had a view about every religion and what they are and what they should.

I was suggesting to him that true unity could consist in not ignoring the differences but by recognizing diversity and differences, and yet respecting the rights of each one to hold on to what they think as right. (This I did put into practice there, even though I was insulted and disrespected and yet responding with kindness and respect). I chose to be gentle to them through enduring tolerance, and by not walking out of the seminar. Ultimately, was this attitude of mine, viz. that of respect, kindness and gentleness considered as being an approval of their mindset and thinking, by them??? They seemed to know my religion better than me, and were keen on teaching me and interpreting it as they thought it fit, as if they had my stamp of approval to whatever seemed right to them. Alas for their zeal to unite religions!

I had only to fit in with their scheme of things: Revival of universal brotherhood and humanism – in what way is this not a new religion?

No doubt, the goal of moving towards a universal brotherhood and humanism, by bringing all religions together on a common platform, in order to get them to agree on being united in common purpose, sounds noble and very appealing but nevertheless belongs to the ideological world of ideas; it is not a new trend among humanity.

The aim of this article is to expose the hypocrisy in such thought patterns and analyze the underlying cause of such longings, and the reason for its seeming success with possible solutions.

Years ago when I was serving in a particular parish there were emissaries sent by some priests to invite me to participate in a seminar on humanity, where the aim was to bring all religions on a common platform and help them realize humanity as the uniting factor for religions. I was told that some prominent personalities would be there too. After having listened to their insistence I asked them; “Isn’t this goal of bringing people of all religions together on a common platform, in the name of humanity, and uniting religions under one banner was as good as starting a new-religion?”

I have seen such foolish participation by the elite class, the Judases of the faith, who may never have realized the disservice they were doing humanity in the name of humanism (Hindi/ Sanskrit: Manavta).

Overall Analysis of the problem:

Achievement factor: The focus of this exercise should by now be clear: Bring people of all religions together on a common platform so as to unite them under the banner of humanism. The fruit thereof would be the establishment of a new world order based on humanism; one world, one government.

The reason for this exercise, on their part, is on account of the frustration with religion or could be their personal ambitions. Besides this, religions binding laws, the internal and external conflicts, the growing religious intolerance and the rise of religious terrorism may also be a cause for such a demand. Such ideology may also be sown in human hope; of achieving something credible.

Though what is proclaimed by these is that every religion teaches one to love and respect and there is good in every religion, and that we must seek what binds rather than what divides - this in itself is a contradiction: If there is good in every religion then why seek what binds and not learn to respect and deliberate on what divides? “There shouldn't be the dividing factor among religions”; as per their reasoning.

The normal trend is to see all religions from one perspective and from one window, this sometimes holds true even in Catholic circles among priests and religious. When there is a manifestation of any form of fundamentalism or fanaticism in any religion, even if it is broadly manifested in a few religions, then the condemnation issued is towards all; "all religions are bad," - is what they would boldly assert.

On the other hand, the positive contribution of Christianity towards the development of cultures and people are all forgotten. Holding on to Christian fundamentals can only lead to a service of love and self-sacrifice.

For those who are working towards the goal of universal brotherhood and humanism, this new approach, to them, is the need of the hour, because they are tired of the many conflicts in the name of religion, the growing trend of religious terrorism and the division in society.

Is it a new phenomenon to unite religions of the world? At least, to seek the unity of man is not new a new trend and many think that it is religion that has been an obstacle towards achieving this goal. By what seems noble in his nature man always seeks unity, the goal does not matter to him or how this unity is achieved. At the ordinary level it is even unity for the sake of unity!.

I have seen and experienced for myself, how people with such mind set have been brutal in suppressing those who raise a prophetic objection to their scheming's Hence, what I speak here is not based on armchair theories or ideas.

This unity which they normally seek is one of blind agreement on any issues, at any cost, irrespective of the truth concerning the issues; whether it is the issue of peace, religion, humanism, brotherhood, development, progress, health or business.

Hence, it is a strong current trend, a movement towards uniting humans on the basis of humanism, which has seen its gradual rise and will definitely grow stronger and louder with time and even establish itself. Unfortunately! We have reached a stage in human history whereby this ideological trend will grow and establish and even assert itself even in the church.

On the other hand there is a growing frustration due to various reasons, besides the religious conflicts; there are also the socio-economic factors, the growing fracture in all forms of committed relationships, lifestyles that are hostile to sound values, family and society, etc. There are those who have made beating at religion their goal and also hit out at Christians who are already holding firm to the faith. Those agreeing with sound Catholic doctrine are already at the receiving end from such fundamentalists rooted in humanism and relativism. As Pope Benedict would call them; “dictator of relativism”

Consequences: This labor which is sown in hope today, viz,. the Universal brotherhood and humanism, will result in great unhappiness and destruction in the near future. For a little while everyone will rejoice and be happy. This will be looked upon as mankind’s greatest achievement. To help in the achievement of this goal there are already existing unions among nations on the basis of trade and development.

Why do these things happen in society? I see this as fruit of human aspiration and hope for a perfect society; an idealism. In which they hope to achieve peace and brotherhood, wealth and well being. What one fails to realize is this; what we hope for and the outcome thereof is never the same, what we aspire for and what in reality we are is something which we have not fully comprehended about ourselves We hope for a corrupt-free world, while we ourselves are corrupt. We hope for a society free of all kinds discrimination while we are ourselves discriminate.

In my talk at the seminar I applauded this aspiration of the human heart to achieve universal brotherhood through humanism but at the same time pointed out the three basic flaws of humanity:

1) Human beings are selfish and self centered; by nature they seek what suits best for them. They are greedy and ambitious and always, whether consciously or unconsciously, seeks their own gain. Their mortal nature seeks survival over sacrifice in a morbidly competitive world.

2) Confused and the conflict within makes him 'want to do good but ends up doing what is evil: Even if they want to avoid evil they still end up doing it.' (cfr. Rm. 7:14ff)

3) many a times, one does not know the difference between good and evil. This is a stark reality which stares at the face of every human being. Whether in the small choices of life or the big he is confused over his choices and sometimes looks to others for approval or create themselves a support structure to absorb the criticism or pain of the consequences of a wrong choice. Even if he thinks he has taken a right decision in life, it is his value goal, his priority, which gives him a sense of satisfaction of taking right decision and yet may never be right: “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Prov 14:12; 16:25)

In such a dark situation, I proposed Christ as the model. He is God who knew this reality of the human race and thus revealed himself and came in our midst to unite us under the perfect banner of the Fatherhood of God. In other words: Not unity for unity sake, not unity by overlooking our differences or sinfulness, not a unity which would be sown in a false hope of human development, not the unity where man is the absolute centre; which would set him even above God.

Get me right: I am not against any form of unity or brotherhood but what I am definitely against is the reasoning’s and means that we are using to achieve it. The way of humanism is neither the solution nor the way to Universal brotherhood.

Jesus has already shown us the way and he himself, in human terms, can be termed as a failure in this cause. He was a perfect example of moral uprightness and perfection and yet never assures us that unity and perfection in society. He has given us a way to unity in himself and under the Fatherhood of God and his failure is proved by the rejection he endured and ultimately his crucifixion: “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." (Luke 12:51-53). Lest anyone misunderstand this statement of Jesus; what Jesus is reminding the human race is its sinful nature, which is selfish, unwise and foolish and gets carried away with that which pleases them. It will not easily accept that which is good for them in the long run, and hence will even reject his true followers and their teachings for their own criterion of life.

Jesus can only unite us to the extent to which we are willing to allow him a say in our lives: How will they allow him that total Lordship over their lives? How many believe in the truth of his statement? If Christ came to establish a kingdom of justice, peace and brotherhood here on earth, as the humanist would have us believe, then he need not have proclaimed to the world, when he was brought before Pilate at the moment of his trial, that his kingdom is not of this world.

Therefore the only success achievable towards this end has to be through an adoption of devious means, false hope, poor logic, through the craftiness of men whose only goal is to unite and perhaps make a name for themselves as authors of a new world order.

Christian love on the other hand sees the difference and hence avoids a hypocritical approach to life. It recognizes the evil and yet tolerates but not without seeking a correction, it sees the hatred and yet loves, and it sees the discrimination and yet is patient. It only seeks the good of the other, even the eternal good. Thus in the history of the human race it can boast of a better ratio of love winning over hatred than any other major religion. There have been more deaths, in its long history, due to the self sacrifice and persecutions its adherents have faced rather than by seeking to vanquish others .

Prayer:

God our Father, have mercy on the human race which seeks to reject you and your revealed ways in their quest for unity and a new universal religion of false brotherhood.

The Salvation Issue -- Part III

2011-08-27T06:42:00.001+05:30

~~Fr. Conrad Saldanha
I have often been posed this question, especially in a mixed gathering: “How can Catholics give so much of importance to Mary and the saints, more so, when Scripture clearly states that there is Salvation in no one else but Christ Jesus?”

My answer to them is: “Do not limit God’s action; for Jesus himself did not limit his action. (Let not some of you after reading this overtly broaden God’s action without reference to his word). True, Salvation is only in Christ but this salvation is handed down to us through the ministry of the Apostles and holy men and women down the ages. Among all these, Mary stands out as the humble servant of God, whom all generations invoking her intercession and salvific grace call “Blessed” (Lk.1:48).

'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' (Matt 25:40) “And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward."(Matt 10:42). This is how Christ uses, what I would call a powerful chain reaction which on that day we may be able to see, as far greater than any chain nuclear reaction.

In him the dead are no more, but they belong to the living, and God allows them to minister to us the message of the power of salvation. “..The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.” (Matt 27:52-53).

All those who lead a life of union with God and are faithful and true to his word are ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). No one can insult an ambassador of a country and get away with it, because they represent the kingdom, which is Jesus, who in person is God’s kingdom.

The Christian privilege often makes one insecure. They see it as an unnecessary arrogance bordered on exclusivity which they think needs to be condemned. Exclusive, yes and privileged, yes, arrogance sometimes, especially to a world that is blind and wants to stand on judgment over the righteous and chosen ones of God.

If we limit ourselves here then it is only the partial truth. Christian privilege and exclusivity is not a call for arrogance or pride or domination which normally makes people insecure and fearful but, it is rather a call for service in humility. This is so because that which is my gain, by virtue of my belief in Christ is not meant for me exclusively, but is meant for the whole world. Go therefore, He said, make disciples of all nations. In other words, the privilege that we as Christians enjoy is to be shared and not to be stored or hidden away. The businessmen of the world keep the best portion and hold on to it. God’s door is open for all peoples and every one can come in. For this very reason Jesus sent his apostles to all the nations to proclaim the good news of Salvation so that all may respond and come in; the greatest act of service. What if they refuse to come in or listen to the message that is able to save? It is not God’s problem if they do not receive. It is only arrogance clothed in garbs of humility that prevents them from accepting the truth of Christ, and then to sit in judgment over the chosen ones of God.

The TV/ Internet provide us with many channels/ websites for relaxation. But if we choose to find relaxation in the worldly serials, reality shows or action entertainment, and forget the greatest action, the greatest story and the actual reality which is true and without an iota of deception; the story of Jesus Christ, the Savior who proved it by the manner of his life and death, then do not blame God. And all who are in positions power and authority, ordained to proclaim the good news of Christ, if they find more meaning in proclaiming worldly wisdom and showing-off credentials and positions of power they hold, rather than the truth of the gospel of Christ then how will the truth in the church be promoted? Go therefore, He said, make disciples of all nations.

There are some who having rejected the objective truth, i.e. Christ Jesus, seem to have found a new impetus in the Vatican II documents of the Church which they have read without a sound knowledge of scripture. Pope John Paul II often emphasized the reading of the Vat. II documents in the light of the scriptures as it was pastoral in nature.

They feel that the “trace of truth” which is in other religions will definitely lead one to salvation. Some even have claimed that this trace of truth means the whole truth. The Church has only asserted that this trace of truth points to Christ; who is the ONLY way, the truth and the life. (Jn. 14:6). There are many who have gone astray on account of the wrong interpretation of this assertion by the Church, and have imprudently plunged themselves into inter-religious dialogue, in order to search for the ultimate truth. Through the medium of inter-religious dialogue some are even teaching others to open themselves to all sorts of occult dabbling and influences. Others have exposed themselves to spiritualities which are not in keeping with the Christian concept of God, who is a person, Supreme and yet always with us. Some even profess only one religion, and that is humanity with extremes of humanism.

This is the extreme interpretation of the term ‘traces of truth’. Could this be a subliminal activity born out of a need for recognition and acceptance? The quicker way of which is rebellion towards the truth. Can a trace of gold, in iron make the iron, gold? Or can traces of pure water in the sewage water make it pure? The danger one overlooks in the realm of religious studies, is to approach these “traces” with human intellect which is fraught with pitfalls. “Apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5). One must consider the many occasions, they have been deceived by other humans in the daily routine of life and the many occasions when they have been deceived and yet never realized it to this day. You need not bother about what you never know but do bother about the eternal truths because it matters; your future and salvation and the salvation of those who are dependent on you is at stake.

Finally, remember Satan too has traces of truth in him though he is the father of lies. He was created good and became evil by his own choice and every good lie has always a trace of truth in it, yet it will always remain a lie. Would you knowing this, believe the enemy, yet whether you acknowledge him or not you still are slave to him and all that he has to offer to you in the name of “traces of truth”.

The relationship between truth and lies is this: Truth exposes lies, while lies can only contaminate truth. To those who believe and have faith in the living God to them this is a sure hope because of a concrete action in history: Truth will ultimately triumph over evil.

In keeping with the contamination there is a love brigade at work also. These are the ones who think that it is possible to attain salvation through love. After all, didn’t Jesus teach us the love commandment as the greatest and only commandment? Some of these are the ones who are uncomfortable with arguments and discussions on the truths of the doctrine but are never uncomfortable to gossip and slander about people and discuss worldly matters. Perhaps love as they understand, in the ideological sense, is the solution to the entire human problem, as if that was the only life line for sustenance of life. Hence in the bargain, these too end up being nicer than God himself.

These love brigades understand love in the narrow sense of the term and as being pleasing to men. They seek every opportunity not to hurt the sentiments of anyone. The major problem arises when they have to judge between two people: then the rule they follow is this; be kind to one and be merciful to the other. Ultimately please no one! What is the criterion for judging? Themselves! There is no justice in their love but only betrayal and wrongdoing. Having failed their master, they rule over God’s household by adopting unjust criteria to redeem their way out from their many follies.

There is also a category who believes that the salvation of an individual is here and now. Their priority is self. The goals that they work for is self development, self achievement, self progress. The spirituality that they adopt is practical to them; a spiritually that promotes their agenda of self gratification; New Age, holistic (wholistic) health and gratifying lifestyle. Take in whatever, as long as it helps and is useful for health. There are some who have more confidence in their therapies’ (water, urine, food, cosmic energies, massages, acupuncture, etc.) than in Jesus who is the truth and has given the sacraments of healing and reconciliation.

Then there are some who believe that life is like being in a boat with rowing oars in their hands for satisfaction, on a vast ocean drifting as the winds take you. For them God is at work in every situation and he will surely take you to your final destination. No cooperation with his grace and power. No mention of his Salvation. To such Jesus speaks again: “…no one comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6b) Drifting on the vast ocean does not lead one to his destination but can lead one to consequent destruction.

By their fruit you shall know what manner of tree it is (cfr. Lk. 6:44). We who are living in a Christian environment have Christ as the standard for judgment. But this understanding of Christ that we have and use as a criterion for judging ourselves and others is not always the Christ as revealed in the Word. We may sometimes have degrees and qualifications in theology and scripture and may be even experts at quoting from it yet it is no guarantee to walk the right path if we do not know Jesus, have a personal relationship with him and allow him to guide and thus rule our lives.

With this article, I conclude the three parts series on ‘The Salvation Issue’. Ultimately, any polemics still has its limitations. More so, if our answers are not sought in sincerity of heart and trusting in the eternal God in all sincerity and honesty to reveal his saving plan for us. Only God knows the categories and world view we hold on to and the premise which hinder us from knowing or seeking the truth and the level of earnestness of the human heart. He, who looks at the hearts of men, is able to cater to our intellect and animate our mind with the divine wisdom without which we cannot be saved. He who had to open the eyes of his disciple and give them the key of understanding matters of the kingdom is indeed the Savior who can remove the scales that prevent us from knowing him and his riches.

Prayer: Lord God I come to you in all sincerity and total surrender, so that you may open my eyes to see the wonder of your loving plan of salvation.

The Salvation Issue -- part II

2011-08-20T01:50:00.000+05:30

>fr conrad saldanha

When discussing the issue of salvation and Jesus being the only way to salvation, the reaction of few (who do not understand this great truth) will always be that; “every religion feels the same, that their religion is true”.

How valid is this argument?

Though the Semitic religions are very particular about this aspect of exclusivity, the other religions are generally not interested. For some other religions, good and evil are part of the divine and they believe in the karmic re-incarnation for purification and hence they are not interested in this aspect.

For the sake of arguments; though religions may claim, but for the Christian, primarily speaking, it is not their religion that gives one salvation but the person of Jesus and all that he established towards this end. The salvation for a Christian is in Christ Jesus who died and gave his life as a ransom to save humanity. Take away the founders from their religions and one is taught that they can be saved by observing the laws and principles. On the other hand take Jesus away from Christianity and you cannot talk about Salvation. For he asserts; "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

On the other hand, there are some third world theologians who claim that the concept of exclusivity is a form of western colonialism and hegemony over the third world. If, they have not understood their own faith, how can they call themselves theologians? It sometimes seems like a colonial hangover born out of school education, steeped in false indoctrination which considered everything that the western domination brought about as evil. It is a ruinous divide which we hold on to when seeking to fight all divisions. Add to this problem is the low self image the third world Christians carry with them while living among the dominant religious groups and the persecution and harassment they face due to constant suspicion of their motives. We have failed to hold on to the good in our religion and its contribution to the very fabric of society and its cause. But yet we try to see the good in other religions!

Irrespective of the behavior of the adherents of the Christian faith, Christian tolerance is different. While for some, religious faith is exclusive and the other religions have no right to exist. On the other hand, some would tolerate as long as you don’t cross their path. There are others who tolerate not by choice but by virtue of their existence in a particular belief which open themselves to anything because they are either searching or accumulate in the hope that one of the deity would work. Give them Jesus and he is one among the many. Or is it like the great Indian masala where more the better for taste, health and wealth. This approach becomes a major obstacle in morals and ethics, which is then considered as always evolving and never stable. Today there are many in the Catholic Church who have allowed themselves to be influenced by such theories and have ended up demanding rights which are detrimental to life and contrary to sound doctrine. Their approach is myopic; the good is the useful and right, and they fail to realize that what is immediately good is in the long term detrimental and destructive.

Jesus teachings have ample example of tolerance both within and outside. He showed it in himself by offering his very life not by submitting to lies but asserting to the truth of the reality of God and he being the Son of God. He is the savior; from a position of absolute nothingness he shows us the rich merciful love of a God who saves: “Father, forgive them for they know not…..” (Lk. 23:24). He says this because he really knows and has revealed to us what we need to know. Then who is it that knows better than him? Does one become wise after having studied about him and got a degree on studying his word and teachings? Hence tolerance for a Christian would mean seeking to correct a situation and in the process even bearing up with the evil of the obstinate who are self-conceited and would not value a sound advice. The Christian bears up with the wrong with patience and fortitude, trusting a God who is still at work in creation.

A Christian is one who has arrived at the truth in Christ Jesus; the ultimate truth. Any dialogue with any religion is never a search for the ultimate truth. Yet there are theologians who have this approach because they hold on to Kantian perspectavalism more than Divine revelation and the objectivity of truth. This does not mean that we reject the concept of seeing things in perspective but rather we are on a sure foundation in Jesus; the only truth. (Jn.14:6) Though we are beings who look at things in perspective yet, we are sure about the ultimate truth with the guidance of the Holy Spirit who leads us in the daily practical truths of life. Life is thus sure and meaningful, even with the minor glitches and mistakes which we make in the absence of discerning the promptings of the Holy Spirit who indeed leads us to all truths. (Jn. 16:13). Christ Jesus is the beginning and the end of all truth, for the human being the Holy Spirit fills the intermediary gap of leading the soul in the daily perspectives of life.

How many of us understand the good news as good news? We think the good news is the stories of Jesus and we stop at that. Hence in our proclamation and attitude, the body language we manifest is the very antithesis of the message of hope we communicate. If we can’t see a crisis here, in the fruit we manifest, then we will never be able to see it.

Everyone has the right to proclaim his beliefs and for us, it is the right to proclaim what is true and good for the human race for all eternity; that’s the good news. If in the world of advertisement, we largely listen to all sorts of crap and even allow ourselves to be deceived by it then why can’t religions have the freedom to do so and present to the world how authentic they are? That would be implementing the fundamental right. The job of governing authorities is to maintain law and order and not curbing people’s right to speak, practice and proclaim what is right and truthful. If these things disturb people then it their problem which they need to learn to handle at forums that are open to discuss rather than take matters in their hand.

For those who reject the objective truth that is Christ, for them Salvation is a human agenda with human emancipation as their goal. They expect church communities to start community centers and Justice Organizations, to work for the marginalized and the oppressed in society, forming human communities. They have never understood the faith of Christ. For them to proclaim the Gospel means to thrust the Gospel down people’s throat forcibly or promote so called gospel values. Their idea of proclamation is warped to the core and thus they abuse their positions to give long discourses on Proclamation with their petty concepts. If the premise is wrong the arguments can only be built on superficiality meant to deceive.

For them there are only good and bad in the world. The good will be saved and the bad will be condemned. Some will even go further than this, for they are much more merciful and kind than the God who has revealed himself in human history. For them, ultimately all will be saved whether it is Hitler or Stalin or Satan himself. God’s mercy is greater than human love and far surpasses it but there is a limit to his patience which scripture speaks about.

What are their criteria for judging what is good or bad? Me, myself; that person is better than me. It is as if they are the criteria for judging the faith of the other. Self proclaimed Saints without openly claiming it! Let Jesus who is the way and truth be the criteria for judging the good and the bad. “No one is good but God alone,” says Jesus. (Mk. 10:18; Mt. 19:17) How can you who falsely accuse others as judging get into the business of judging yourselves by saying; “this one will be saved and that one will be saved because they have led good lives.” Whereas, I have learnt through the word that man looks at the outside and God looks at the heart, but these theologians look much beyond God’s sight, ascended above the throne of god. “..for the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." 1 Sam 16:7

All roads leads to God just as all road lead to one destination. If, that is truth to you then, what about the road that leads you away from your goal and destination? And what about the road that leads to another goal or destination. To such thinking the scripture says: “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Pr.14:12& ps.16:25)

And if you thought, that was being intellectual, sorry, utter stupidity! It is no doubt emotional when people ask; “what about the vast majority that that do not know Christ?” The answer is not for the soft hearted, God’s terrible interventions in creation is not for the soft hearted. But for the moment, it should suffice to know what Christ teaches us and what the teaching of the Church affirms in the words of the Apostles: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by whom we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

Look at Cornelius (the gentile) in the Acts of the Apostle, in the 10^th Chapter; “he was a good and righteous man and God saves him.” Those who thus deduce, suffer from a particular disease that many who approach the scripture like an academician suffer from; A disease, which I would call; ‘chronological myopia’. Though Cornelius was a gentile who used to be generous with the things he had, by giving alms to the poor, yet it was not enough to save him and hence God speaks to him to call for Peter the Apostle from Joppa who proclaims to him the good news, which is the Saving message of God which he offers in His Son Jesus. The scripture tells us that Cornelius and his household believed in the message and were baptized in the faith of Christ. And thus they were saved.

Prayer: Lord, many are the deceptions and traps for the simple and unassuming, be Lord my Savior and help me hold firmly to you and your saving words.

The Salvation Issue Part-I

2011-08-13T02:35:00.001+05:30

> fr. Conrad Saldanha

The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their refuge in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him. Ps 37:39-40

The issue of Salvation has often bothered humanity, especially people of various religious orientation and background. It’s not just the theologians who are concerned, but even the laity may some time or the other reflect on it. But the difference is that the theologians are the ones they look up to and may put their faith more in them, than in the living God who still reveals his salvific plan to all who seek him with a sincere heart. “You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13

The stand of the Church: In contrast to the previous article in my blog site, Inspirations, (of 30^th July, 2011) which explained that Jesus did not shed his blood for all, here in this article on God’s Salvation (God’s saving grace), the offer of God’s salvation is for all irrespective of caste, creed or colour. Though this salvation is for all, yet, it is an offer that has to be first received by an individual through faith. It is an offer of God made through the death of Jesus on the Cross. Thus Salvation is a free gift to all. But just like a gift which does not become your own unless you receive it with gratitude and faith, so also the Salvation offered by God, cannot be yours unless you accept it. Once received, this salvation has to be lived. Next follows the works, the works of faith, from faith and not just any work.

With regards to the Catholic Church being an instrument of salvation, the Catechism of the Catholic Church quoting from St. Augustine is emphatic that Jesus is the only way. “In the later usage, the term sacramentum emphasizes the visible sign of the hidden reality of salvation which was indicated by the term mysterium. In this sense, Christ himself is the mystery of salvation: For there is no other mystery of God, except Christ." (CCC)

The aim of this article is not to elaborate on the meaning of the universal salvation offered to us freely by God in his Son Jesus but to nullify the various fears and arguments that hinder one to believe in such an exclusive viewpoint. The Church in the Vatican II Document makes a presentation of this subject with elements of confusion but latter cleared in Dominus Iesus (SCDF) and other such documents. But sometimes confusion arises, because one fails to read it in the light of the Scriptures and give much credence to emotional arguments which passes on as rational.

I personally believe that many a time our logic is guided by a deep latent fear and anxiety of the various consequences and implications of such a belief, the offense it may give the other irrespective whether we speak the truth or not. Then we present what we things are facts to validate our arguments. The human insecurities, fears and anxieties work in various ways and what appears to be conviction are normally a sublimation of an underlying current.

One of the points of argument is the issue of exclusivity which Christians claim like most Semitic religions. The issue, at stake is the consequence of such a belief. i.e. the fear, that it may lead to broken relationships and communal disharmony. Such absolutism and exclusivism is interpreted as fundamentalism and if this is their conclusion after analyzing the issue then their conclusion is also according; intolerance of the other and if need be a civilized form of violence.

Is this a fact of Christianity and if so what could be the possible problem and solution to such a situation?

For this, we need to analyze the contribution of Christianity, made towards the development of Society and people. It is natural for humans to make a scapegoat of someone when evil befalls. Many a time society in their desperation adopts wrong measures for a right cause. For example a terrorist attack may prompt the government to adopt a strong repressive law rather than improving upon their preventive measures. The government may adopt repressive checks which impinge on the privacy of the person rather than seeking newer technical and innovative methods which respects human dignity. For an individual too, a condom or an abortion may be considered as a better solution to solve problems of AIDs and population growth or unwanted pregnancy, rather than abstinence and responsible precaution. Thus, in the worldwide scenario because of a few rare cases of extreme religious fanaticism, the larger community gets affected. It is not just the government; worse still are the so called progressive communities, within the Christian community who begin to tear and pull from within. Education and pseudo-rationality aids our many fears and insecurities and we are not able to handle them.

The question to always ask ourselves is this: What if there was no Christianity and no Christian contribution to the development of Individuals?

We have forgotten the good and the great Christian contribution to society, in spite of its belief in exclusivity; a contribution which the secularized world has failed to recognize. The contribution to culture, ethics and morality are great Christian contributions to the world. Europe may have been at war over religion in the 16^th and 17^th century. Peace may have been brought about by keeping religious fervor aside, but the west has never kept religion out of bounds, because without religion it would be like choking oneself of life. The morals and ethics of religion act as a life line to sustain life and improve the quality of life.

The Christian faith in keeping with the words of Jesus has had a great leavening effect on the various religions of the world. It has been a catalyst for change and morality which is so very strong in the Christian milieu that we have taken for granted this reality. This is so because we have time and again looked at only the flaws of individuals in the church and waited to see when they would fall rather than look at the good it has contributed to the society and the world as a whole.

How good is a society without the contribution of religion? We don’t have to go far in our search. The Communist nation reveal in their dark history what repression and absence of religion brings; that too by progressive men of revolution who sought to change the social fabric into a more just society: where justice, peace and brotherhood are the corner stone of their proclaimed agenda. But ultimately, repressive structures in the name of progress and which does not respect human life nor dignity had been the order of the day; a great moral decadence which does not respect life, beginning with life in the womb.

The church because of the confidence it has through divine revelation has been a moral voice through the Popes in voicing its concern about certain repressive laws and regimes which have been anti-life and humanity. In spite of the conflicting voices from within and the negative pressure, it has still managed to voice its self against the atrocities against human life, dignity and many other moral issues. The media glare ever willing to expose and blow out of proportion its selective faults has dwarfed the greater contribution it has made. (to be continued……………)

Prayer: Lord we thank you for the gift of the Church and your special presence in it. May we through faithful adherence to you and its teaching come to the eternal life and joy you have prepared for all who accept your offer of salvation. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Desecration of the Body and Blood of Christ!

2011-08-06T03:16:00.002+05:30

```Fr. Conrad Saldanha

There was this little news article on Jul 28, 2011 in the Catholic News Agency which read as follows: “Spanish cardinal recommends that Catholics receive Communion on the tongue.” Further the news article had the following to state: “He recommended that Catholics receive Communion on the tongue and while kneeling.”

”Receiving Communion in this way, the cardinal continued, is the sign of adoration that needs to be recovered. I think the entire Church needs to receive Communion while kneeling.”

“In fact,” he added, “if one receives while standing, a genuflection or profound bow should be made, and this is not happening.” “If we trivialize Communion, we trivialize everything, and we cannot lose a moment as important as that of receiving Communion, of recognizing the real presence of Christ there, of the God who is the love above all loves, as we sing in a hymn in Spanish.” (CNA)

The official church teaching:

The congregation for Divine Worship introduced a document in May, 1969; Memoriale Domini, in which each bishops' conference was supposed to petition the Vatican to allow the faithful in their jurisdiction to receive Communion in the hand. Until such permission is granted, it was not lawful for the faithful to do so (or for bishops or priests to allow it).

The instruction also said that “in view of the seriousness of the matter and the importance of the arguments proposed, the Supreme Pontiff judged that the long received manner of ministering Holy Communion to the faithful should not be changed. Further, “The Apostolic See therefore strongly urges bishops, priests and people to observe zealously this law, valid and again confirmed, according to the judgment of the majority of the Catholic episcopate, in the form which the present rite of the sacred liturgy employs and out of concern for the common good of the Church.”

In 1977, the Congregation for Divine Worship reiterated this point: “The practice must remain the option of the communicant. The priest or minister of Communion does not make the decision as to the manner of reception of Communion. It is the communicant’s personal choice.”

This recommendation also applies to the Priest, Bishop or Pope. It is said; once, when Pope St. Pius X was on his deathbed in August of 1914, and Holy Communion was brought to him as Viaticum, he did not and was not allowed to receive in the hand. He received on the tongue according to the law and practice of the Catholic Church. And so, even in the traditional liturgical practice of the Roman Rite, if a priest were assisting at Mass (and not celebrating) and if he wished to receive Holy Communion, he did not do so by his own hand; he received on the tongue from another priest. The same would be true of a Bishop or even a Pope.

Thus when this congregation was receiving specific complaints from the USA and other places, they had a strong rebuke against the imposed practices by the clergy and Bishops. This is what they had to say; “….and considers any refusal of Holy Communion to a member of the faithful on the basis of his or her kneeling posture to be a grave violation of one of the most basic rights of the Christian faithful, namely that of being assisted by their Pastors by means of the Sacraments (Codex Iuris Canonici, canon 213). In view of the law that "sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who opportunely ask for them, are properly disposed and are not prohibited by law from receiving them" (canon 843 ß 1)----July 2002; Responses to Questions on Kneeling for Holy Communion by the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments

Abuses in the Church: (Names have been withheld)

This made me go down memory lane on some of the more serious violations I have seen, heard or experienced.

There was this theologian whom I had come across who taught in keeping with his liberal view that everything is holy and that there was no difference between cow dung and a piece of Holy Eucharist. Since he taught in a formation house I was compelled to report this to the authorities through proper channels after having confronted him myself on this and various subjects.

Further, it was the same priest whom I once witnessed inviting a non-Christian, who was invited by them for a mass to receive Holy Communion.

There was another who continued in the same aberration and taught that rituals by themselves have no meaning and the only value they had was, of uniting people; a sociological viewpoint. Hence, rituals were encouraged not because of the grace and sanctification they offered, but more because it helped achieve a social cause. For this very reason, we see, why many lay emphasis and participate in the Eucharist as if it were a mere meal rather than as a sacrifice; the sacrifice of Jesus for our sanctification and salvation.

In one of the lectures I heard, one theologian was speaking more about the need of receiving communion in the hand, rather than teaching the norm. All were made to believe that receiving communion on the tongue was unhygienic and hence receiving on the hand was better.

Even in parishes, we find the same irreverence. The communion plates have become obsolete and the children are specifically taught in catechism to receive communion in the hand. Is receiving communion in the hand the rule that our children have to be taught and even be compelled to receive? Children should be taught the norm and not the exception.

Practicality, saving on time and hygiene is given precedence over reverence, divine presence and Godly wisdom. Thus the casualty has been a weakening of the faith.

While priests are being questioned for following the norm of insisting on communion on the tongue, there are others who insist on communion either standing or from lay people, and on hand, these continue unabashedly.

One theologian calls these liturgical abuses as progress in the church guided by the Holy Spirit. While he claims that the church is progressing, on the other hand the Master has already spoken prophetically; “when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Lk. 18:8) Or is it a pressing on to the omega point of destruction in the name of progress?

In one particular parish I found the communion bowls kept inverted in the cupboard and the crumbs strewn at the base. The sacristan will do what he has been told. Are they well catechized to handle the sacred vessels? When one parishioner wanted bowls to put petals to be sprinkled in order to welcome the holy image o f Mary, he willingly gave the communion bowls to be used. One would, even in their personal life, not use a vessel that is used for ignoble use simultaneously used for a noble purpose.

Those parishes which have non-Christian visitors for the Eucharistic celebration must make an announcement. The Eucharistic ministers and rarely the priest, especially new or visiting priests are not equipped to discern the Catholic from the non-catholic. This becomes all the more difficult in parishes which have a Syro-Malabar presence, where the laity is not trained to acknowledge with an Amen the proclamation of the ‘Body of Christ’ by the priest.

There are many other stories I keep hearing about the catechesis the children and the laity receive which are incongruous to the faith of the Church.

If hygiene is the major concern, I wondered what happens to the poor priest, who has to consume the crumbs and use those hands to purify and many a times consume from common vessels.

In one of my regular visitation I happened to visit a house and in keeping with the Indian Hospitality a poor old lady, shabbily clad, in a one room tenement insisted that I have something and she offered me a cup of milk. As she was pouring the milk into the cup she blew into it to push the cream back. How hygienic is the food that is laid at daily table, when one breathes and talks over the cooking pot and the raw salads?

Is hygiene a major concern? It could be more unhygienic giving holy communion in the hand than on the tongue. More germs are spread through the hand than through the tongue approach because the chances of touching the hand is significantly more while distributing Holy Communion, than when given on tongue.

There is a need to restore reverence and awe back into the worship life of the church. This reverence and awe is best expressed by receiving communion on the tongue and if possible through kneeling.

I have yet to come across a person who receiving Holy Communion in the hand has knelt down and closed their eyes in loving reverence. This sort of reverence is only possible with Holy Communion on the tongue.

Catechesis which lays emphasis on the rational at the cost of faith has no room in the living Church of God. For rationality has its limitation before the ineffable mystery of God’s presence in our midst. Restore the element of reverence and the sense of the divine. Celebration of the Eucharist is not a mere ritual that has to be completed in 10-15 minute flat with smiling priests to soothe the nerves of the stressed up laity rather than seriously dispensing the sacrament of healing in which Jesus is present as a healer Body and Blood, soul and divinity. “Lord, I am not worthy to have you under my roof but only say the word and I shall be healed”. (cfr. Mt. 8:8; Lk. 7:6)

I am convinced from my many years of ministry that there are more people who are sick on account of their improper disposition in receiving communion than by receiving it on the tongue.“For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.” 1 Cor. 11:29-30

Prayer: Lord forgive us and hold not this sin against us which we have committed against your Holy Presence established by you in our midst through your most sorrowful passion. Have mercy on us, and on the whole world.

JESUS DID NOT SHED HIS BLOOD FOR ALL

2011-07-30T11:46:00.000+05:30

~~Fr. Conrad Saldanha

The new and third edition of the English Roman Missal being used for the liturgical practices will soon be released. November, 27th 2011, the first Sunday in Advent is the day fixed for introducing the new Missal. Instructions and catechesis has already started in many Dioceses and parishes in India where this Missal is being introduced. After the English, there could be other Indian language translations which may follow. As informed by liturgists the Telugu translation is already way ahead in this great task.

The New Missal is credited with faithfulness to the original Latin Missal and also to the Holy Scriptures. It seeks to make participation in the Liturgy much more meaningful and prayerful. The earlier translations were simplified for better and easier participation. The emphasis was on participation rather than celebrating the mystery and thus entering into it. Whereas in the earlier version, there seems to have been participation and at the same time, moving out of the mystery, because everything remained a mystery.

So the new order of the mass has re-introduced certain concept such as “through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault,” “Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof; but only say the word, and I shall be healed,” and “for many.”

One such mystery that I want to reflect on and dwell upon with you, is the mystery of the last Supper and the words, Jesus used for consecration. The four versions which we have, three from the Gospels and one from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians tell us about the Words of consecration which Jesus spoke as he blessed the bread and wine which now becomes His body and blood. The New missal has brought in the change which is in keeping with the original Latin and the Holy Gospels. The Old missal used the words as follows: It will be shed for you and ‘for all’…..” , while the New Missal uses the term: “It will be shed for you and ‘for many’…..”.

For our reference, mentioned below are the three Gospels and the Pauline text concerning the last supper:

Matthew: “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (26:26-28)

Mark: “And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.” (14:22-24)

Luke: “And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (22:19-20)

St. Paul: “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” (1 Cor. 11:23-26)

From the reading of the above passages of Scripture, it is evident that none of the words of Jesus are in perfect harmony with the Eucharistic prayer which is used but rather in essence they are a collage and communicate the mind of Jesus. Though the new Eucharistic prayer of consecration which uses the term ‘for many’, does it all the more.

According to me, the current Eucharistic prayer would not make the Eucharistic presence in any way less and could have been validly used. But the mystery is always lost when we are not faithful to the words of Christ in all precision.

“Christ Jesus, died for all and to save all” is a true and valid argument ; but to conclude on the basis of this Gospel truth that all will be saved is being false to the teachings of Christ, the gospels and the whole tradition passed on by the Holy Apostles to us.

Whereas, unlike his salvation, Christ Jesus shed his blood for the many who would welcome his salvation. Those who welcome his salvation through faith, are then cleansed by the precious blood of the lamb, who came to take away the sin of the world. Hence the Blood was not shed for all but for his own; for those who accepted his salvation. Even if one claims that he shed his blood for all, the privilege to access, which is not purely dependent, on the individual who is receiving it, belongs to his chosen one. It is like the king who in his generosity and love for his subjects, keeps his door open for all, but the privilege to access his wealth is given to only a few of his chosen ones.

Though some may argue that the Lukan and Pauline text does not contain ‘the many’ but it does not contain ‘for all’ either. In fact the term ‘you’ is prominent in these two texts and it more closely qualifies ‘the many’ rather than the ‘for all’.

The interesting gap which we see in the Gospel of John seems to cover-up this vacuum in other ways. Even though John’s Gospel does not have the formulae of the prayer of consecration it nevertheless communicates an important fact of divine discrimination (read articles dated 1^st and 9^th April in this blog site to understand in essence the meaning of Divine discrimination) in the Passover/Eucharistic narrative; “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”(Jn. 13:1). Similarly, he commands them that they are to do the same not with everyone but with one another; “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.”(Jn. 13:14). It is the same ‘many’ he prays for in his Eucharistic Discourse in John’s Gospel; "I do not pray for these only, but also for those (those: cannot mean all, but can mean either few or many; the latter holds good for many reasons) who believe in me through their word.” Jn. 17:20

This fact of our special privilege was well understood by even his Apostles who proclaimed this at every opportunity; “.. chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood.”(1 Pt. 1:2) “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” Rev 1:5

One way to don on Christ’s mandate of reaching out is through the Blood of the New Covenant, in which they were commanded to do so often in remembrance of him. In the Old Testament, the priest did the work of cleansing and reaching out, though only external, through the sprinkling of the blood of the lamb slain and without blemish. In the O.T. we also see that only those Jews who participated became sharers of the covenant. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. In the new covenant the Church carries on this mission of Christ through the Holy Word and Sacraments, which includes the dispensing of the Body and blood of Christ which alone is able to save us and lead us to eternity. “ ….the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (Jn. 6:63). The mystery is that his blood is still being dispensed to those who are baptized and are sharers. This is not a once and for all affair. The eternal Jesus has poured it all for us, though once and for all yet it continues in a special way in the Sacramental ministry of the church. As we struggle through life, with death at work in us, we need the constant infusion of God’s life offered in us through the eternal blood of Jesus. “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.” Jn. 6:53-54 “As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me.” Jn. 6:56-57

How then can we ensure that we are among those privileged many? It is primarily through faith in Jesus we are received and accepted by God (“whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith” (Rm. 3:25)). Through baptism we are made his adopted children. We are also cleansed and redeemed by the actions of Baptism of all that is dead in us, through the waters of Baptism and with the precious blood of Jesus. (1 Jn.5:6, 8; Jn. 19:34). Thus we also become privileged participants and sharers in the body and blood of Christ, the heavenly manna that is able to give us eternal life. This also enables and empowers us to do much in his name; “..and they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Rev 12:11

Prayer: Lord, may I value your special gifts and always seek them with reverence and awe as the one that is able to save me and all humanity.

Few Scripture texts which has relevance in the light of the above article and not mentioned in the same and could be of value for further reflection:

“Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” Heb 9:22

“Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood” Rm. 5:9

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.” Eph. 1:7

“..and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Col 1:20

“So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.” Heb 13:12

“You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” 1 Pt. 1:18-19

“..but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 Jn. 1:7

SEEKING GOD AND WAITING ON HIM

2011-07-23T01:55:00.000+05:30

>> Fr. Conrad Saldanha

We often wait for people who serve us. Though their job is to serve, yet we wait for them. Some are voluntary servers giving of themselves and their time and labor to serve people. Yet we have to wait for them in order to avail of the fruit of their services. Their service keeps them so busy, that it is enough to delay their outreach towards others.

In the Gospel Jesus announces his service of availability in order to serve us; “For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mk. 10:45; Mt. 20:28)

Unlike the human compulsions God’s service is delayed not because he is too busy to reach out to the countless millions who call on his name but rather because of the limitations in our own approach. It is like going to a government official for help without the requisite papers. Or it is like a child telling the parent “I know it is only you who can drive me to school safely but I prefer the bus rather than you”.

First of all, we fail to acknowledge God as he is. We have created our own image about our God and many times expect him to work the way we want. The way we want things to happen in our lives is detrimental to us. Hence the primary knowledge is the knowledge of God. Thus knowing him we know ourselves and our true needs for our own happiness and fulfillment. Our pride and selfish existence prevents us from seeking to know more about him and his love for us.

Our image of God is rather colored by our sinful and petty ways. We sin and then we carry this guilt in our mind. “Will God accept me or reject me? Will he answer my prayers?” Then we reason as; “For I am a sinful man and he will definitely not accept me nor listen to my prayers!” This is normally our response to him; a response which fails to accept the love and forgiveness of God. St. Theresa of Avila once said; ‘Unbelief dishonors God and robs me of my heritage.” He loves the sinner and hates the sin, is an apt description of God’s character and by sending his Son among us showed the depth of his love. “For the Son of man, came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10

Therefore the sin that primarily creates a block in us to receive abundantly from him is lack of trust. This can be broadened on a scale beginning with the breaking of the first commandment, which is a total rejection of God, to acts of pride which communicates pure self belief and belief in philosophies, ideas and other religious practices, which are contrary to the Gospel. The unforgiveness and hurt that we hold onto are also practices that fall in the same arena of lack of trust in God and more of trust in self. To hold to such bitterness means to take matters in our own hand and to seek to resolve it even with God’s help but actually apart from God. This is the very reason Jesus says; “if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”. (Mt. 6:15). Finally, it is the wrong kind of guilt which we carry over petty sinful acts which again communicates lack of trust in the forgiveness and tender mercy of God.

God knowing our weak state has revealed himself completely in his Son Jesus. We don’t have to strive hard in knowing this God, he has spoken to us in his Son Jesus and his mind is made clear to us in the teachings and parables of Jesus. God’s demand of us, which is an action of his love, can enable us to achieve still mightier and great things than we left to our own would achieve. The ultimate is eternal life, which men strive for even in this life. For this very reason, those who are his are never afraid to die the ignoble death. Though, the noble and the populist death perhaps any one may be willing to die.

Hence the primary way in which we wait, is, through accepting the call of death which is realized through self denial. "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it”. Matt 16:24-25. The beginning could be made in prayer; it is a good and sure beginning and not the end of all waiting. The earnest desire expressed and lived in prayer strengthens the soul and makes it eager and prompt towards God's pleasing will.

Waiting denotes denial; denial of self, its wants and needs. Waiting denotes humility; a humble dependence on God rather than on self. Waiting denotes faith; that God will make all things possible to those who believe. We have basic needs but many times we fulfill it through wants that is sought through much comfort. Our quest for comforts never really ends, the human reality is this: the more we pamper ourselves the more we feel the need for it. Such is the deception in which we walk and believe with our hearts. Hence, the human heart is more prone to seek the things that lead them away from God than towards God. The humble waiting corrects these flaws of the human mind and sets it secure on the rock, which is Jesus, the God of our salvation.

Alternatively, those who seek God as their primary goal and wait on him find fulfillment whether in plenty or in want; “Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want”. Phil 4:11-12

There are great promises associated with waiting, including our very salvation. It is God’s desire that we wait and hence these rewards accompanying his promises so that we maybe beneficiaries of the many gifts and blessing of God even in this life:

ü Our salvation comes through our waiting on him: “for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure”. Phil 2:13. It begins with God and is brought to completion in him. He is the alpha and omega, the first and the last, the beginning and end of all things. (Rev. 22:13). Therefore the author inspired laments: “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord”. Lam 3:26. Just as the whole creation waited for the revealing of God’s Son through his incarnation so also this revelation and manifestation of God’s salvific action in creation has, to establish us in his saving mission.

ü Waiting on the Lord restores us and helps us face the challenges of daily life. “Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint”. Is. 40:30-31

ü Waiting humbles the proud man and enables him to grow in patience and confidence in the Lord who is still at work in his creation. This message will not go well with the proponents of Social Justice and the Society Changers who believe that they can be the change that they seek. Unfortunately, these are Catholics in position of authority who seem to be more a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi than of Christ.

ü Waiting on Lord trains us in enduring the hostilities of life with patience and forbearance because we are constantly assured of his presence with us. He is Emmanuel; God with us. If God is with us then who can be against us (Rm. 8:31), I can do all things in him who strengthen me. (Phil. 4:13)

One of the key post resurrection instructions of Jesus was to wait in Jerusalem for ‘many days’ to be clothed with power. (Acts. 1:4-5). We in a speed age, fail the master by not learning to wait. Unfortunately, those in authority seek to crush initiatives which seek to train people through sound Catholic principles, based on God’s word.

The true nature of waiting is not just in prayer but could be outside of prayer. It envelopes our whole life and not just the time spent in prayer. When one talks of waiting on the Lord one normally thinks in terms of prayer. Prayer is foundational and the beginning; the source and strength of all our waiting, it enhances our hope and trust in the Lord to carry on throughout the battle against the evil one. Prayer empowers us in mind and heart by helping us remember God’s faithfulness in the past and his assurance in the present. It further fortifies us to forgive, let go and surrender things to his will so that he may increase, and we decreased, may see the victory of God in the trials, tribulations and persecutions of daily life. We may sometimes have to wait and wait for the appointed time fixed by God “Thus creation waits eagerly for the “revealing of the sons of God”, (Rm. 8:19) or “as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Liturgical text; after the Our Father) The liturgy itself teaches us to wait in eager expectation and joy.

God has his timing and we cannot push God to work according to our time and space. He may seem slow but is never late. He is there and is much more concerned about our well being then we are about ourselves. “Those who wait for me shall not be put to shame." (Is. 49:23) Hence to humbly allow him to reign in our lives and take full control of our life is a possibility, by which we are called to live. For this very reason we address him as Lord; the Lord of our lives. Yet he may never be, and, we may not give him that place and end-up as failures in life’s ETERNAL journey; Successful to the world but failures in the ways of God! Apart from him you can do nothing. (Jn. 15:5)

Sometimes the Lord may speak to us his plans but we may yet have to wait for a time and season which belongs to him alone.

Those who have learnt how to wait on the Lord know:

1) How to receive wisdom from the Lord without having a degree or a doctorate in theology or philosophy.(Lk.21:12)

2) Receive strength and be reinvigorated without the elixirs of medical science. (Is. 40: 31)

3) Receive adoption as sons of God (Rm. 8:23)

4) God himself will reveal himself to them (1 Cor. 1:7)

5) Will thrive on the mercy of God (Jude 1:21)

6) Will be exalted and upheld by God (Ps. 37:17, 34)

7) Though they may fall, they will not be cast headlong (Ps. 37: 24)

8) Possess eternal life; inheriting the land which our forefathers entered through faithfulness. (Ps. 37:9)

9) Will be saved from the wicked and more so see their destruction. (Ps. 37:34)

Prayer: Make me to know thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; for thee I wait all the day long. -- Ps 25:4-5

Inspirations: Philosophical learning in priestly formation

2011-07-16T01:12:00.000+05:30

Inspirations: Philosophical learning in priestly formation: " > Fr. Conrad Saldanha I have often come across well meaning ..."

Philosophical learning in priestly formation

2011-07-16T00:50:00.002+05:30

> 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

2011-07-08T23:12:00.004+05:30

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

2011-06-30T23:36:00.000+05:30

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

2011-06-24T15:07:00.001+05:30

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.

2011-06-18T01:48:00.000+05:30

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

2011-06-10T13:48:00.004+05:30

--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 us 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.

RESTORE MEANING TO ASCENSION

2011-06-03T04:58:00.001+05:30

>--> fr. conrad saldanha

As the great season of Easter wanes away, we anticipate the celebration of Ascension, which in a way marks the completion of Christ Salvific mission here on earth. The feast is celebrated in a single day, in a casual way, and is forgotten. Its importance and relevance to the whole of our Christian living is hardly referred to.

To add to the problem, in many Dioceses the feast is celebrated on a Sunday. Though, historically, Ascension was celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter, which is on a Thursday.

The tragedy; the relevance of this day and what Christ has accomplished for us stand underestimated. We have become losers of an opportunity to catechize anyone in the essential significance of this feast. And more so, we have failed in an opportunity to witness to the world the ascended Lord.

Ascension is that event which took place when Christ our Lord, after having risen from the dead, appeared to his disciples at various times and in various places for forty days and then ascended into heaven from their midst. (Mk. 16:19, Lk. 24:51, Acts 1:2)

For the Apostles it was a culmination of the post resurrection experience, when Christ Jesus after having convinced the disciples of his rising, and then having nudged them back into the saddle (see Article of 13^th May, 2011 on this blog site) is now desiring, that they wait for his new presence; the promised Holy Spirit.

In order to understand the magnificence of what Christ has done we need to understand the beauty of life’s processes. Life and learning is a beautiful process.

After having formed his Apostles for a period of three years, and having told them all that the Son of man would have to undergo, Jesus still knew that, no matter, how effective a speaker or communicator he may have been, it would still be difficult to get his message across to them at one go; though they had heard what he had to tell them, they had not comprehended it, in its totality.

In the post resurrection period, we have Jesus treating the sinful disease of the disciples; the lost focus, the unfaithfulness and their misplaced priorities had to be corrected. (See Article of 13^th May, 2011 on this blog site) He gives them a new orientation. Their days of formation are almost over and now they have to launch out into the deep. And so one last instruction; “…he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father. (Acts 1:4) Wait for Pentecost!

The significance of the last instruction: It is always important, for one would communicate only that which is relevant and imperative at the time of departure. Jesus’ last instructions are effective because of his special relationship with the disciples, which makes a difference; a high recall value and hence practice of it is not difficult. Added to this is the new support structure by way of a management change; for Peter is a changed man with a new and renewed vision and Mary who continues humbly and mildly with her unassuming presence. The process in accomplishing Christ’s mission is not over, for it is not even begun. It is still at stage one, even though on the last leg of stage one, yet they have to wait. His ascension message is clear; they have to wait in Jerusalem till they are clothed with power.

Some have begun already, but the others join the group late, in the upper room; waiting, praising and thanking God.

Waiting, if stretched too far, leads to grumbling. The pain of waiting at a mere half hour Eucharist is enough to cause many tongues to become petulant. Hence we feel the need for smiling priests and fast track celebrants to keep us going. But the truth never changes, without waiting one cannot receive the empowerment from Jesus.

So also, no praise can be based on empty rituals. When one praises God or thanks him, especially in our waiting then we are allowing God to work in our lives. Since we praise God for something, the Apostles now have a reason to praise God; to recollect the significant element of Christ’s teaching and the clear goal or vision which the ascension communicates, to praise God.

In other words, the Ascension of Jesus is the visible, effective and fulfilled mission of Christ, yet incomplete without our cooperation. He has made himself humbly weak to his chosen ones, so as not to do anything without us.

Every disciple of Christ is invited to look and behold this ascended Christ, and be sure of him being present in our midst, in the light of the eternity it communicates. The challenges of this present reality become difficult when we are faced with those forces of life which drags us away from Christ. The Apostles did it beautifully, in all patience, by spending much time in his presence, waiting on him. They were recollecting and waiting, praising and thanking in order to be clothed with power from above. A ten day retreat programme!

The five day retreat programme which we used to conduct was in itself so difficult.

How then did the Disciples manage the 10 day wait? Of course, it is always more difficult for those watching from outside then the practitioners. But in the process of Jesus’ priority it had to be thus. We cannot be God’s instrument unless we learn to wait on him, be clothed with power and then equipped, to go in his name.

Humans, by nature, always live in hope. It could be a hope of a new day or a better tomorrow. Apart from hope, he would become suicidal, and find life a meaningless exercise to live for. The unfortunate part of their life is the deception in the hope they hold on to. They hopefully live and plan for a tomorrow which they have neither seen nor lived in: Who has seen tomorrow? Yet they would not want to believe in the tomorrow of Jesus!

Christian life is a definite and sure hope. It may initially begin with a feeling that is rooted in deception but Christ always gives his disciples a glimpse and an experience of the sure hope which only he can give us. That experience is the foundation of the immovable faith of the Disciples of Christ.

Here in brief are the many insights into the meaning of ascension:

v Ascension made them recollect that they no longer belong here, for Christ has appeared to take us with him. Our ultimate roots are in Christ and with him we shall be for all eternity.

v Assurance of his constant presence and intercession, whereby they will go fearlessly in his name. He is at a vantage point; he is now much closer to us then we are to ourselves.

v He has also brought us closer to each other in his ascension. Like a satellite that brings the human race closer to each other, likewise he draws all men to himself and to each other in the bond of Catholic love. If Christ is not the centre than humanism can bring true and everlasting unity.

v He is the seat of all power and authority both in heaven and on earth. Hence nothing can happen to his beloved ones, unless he has permitted it and nothing evil can befall them that he can’t make it work for the good of those who look with joyful hope for the coming of their Lord and Savior. (Rm. 8:28)

v He will keep empowering those who follow him faithfully with the promised Holy Spirit.

v That life is one complete process ending with us living for all eternity in the place in which Christ has gone ahead and prepared for us.

v The Ascension of Jesus helps us lead a fuller, richer and meaningful life in this world because Christ our Lord in his ascension has given us a sure hope.

If such is the significance of this feast then the Church needs to order itself to a restoration of this great and significant historical event in the life of Christ.

Bring back the Ascension Thursday. In a discussion on an appropriate day for the celebration of the feast of Ascension, the majority, i.e. over 90 percent of the participants wanted a return to the 40 days rather than a convenient Sunday. Since it is such a significant feast, what could be done is to have a continuum of celebration beginning with the Thursday; making it obligatory to be part of the liturgy on all or one of these days, with the Thursday as the beginning, and as an important day of celebration. Each day could have its own theme. If need be the mass timing could be changed to suit the working crowds.

This could set in process a trend to welcome another great feast of Pentecost with greater fervor and devotion. The faithful can then look forward to the great empowering which Christ bestows on his beloved ones.

Like the disciples, family members could come together to praise and thank God for the Ascension of Christ. On account of which, Christ’s salvific action is effectively implemented in our lives and we encounter his presence and empowerment. A Para-liturgical service could be prepared for the home to help the families accordingly.

Those in the liturgical ministries and formation could think of having special songs prepared which communicates the message of Ascension and Christian hope.

Song of Ascension: In my Father’s house

In my Father’s house are many mansions, each one of you will have one for yourself.

Not a hut, not a room, not a house, but a huge big mansion for each one of you.

Do you believe in this offer, the promise of a trustworthy man named Jesus?

If you do so, and raise your hearts in praise and thanksgiving to God in all things,

Then eternity is surely at your doorstep and life will take a new turn for you.

If you have a doubt, then look to his ascension at the right hand of power and majesty.

See the poster on the wall, Christ’s offer is surer than that.

Listen to your mother’s voice, When the Lord speaks he is more trustworthy than her

Hear the man in office, who is he, without God sustaining him?

I will doubt the thousand voices speak one language, if they do not speak the tongue of Christ ascended.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, speak to my heart your eternal message of hope and assurance and then by your grace transform me to be your instrument of God’s power and love. Amen.

Conflict: Moving towards a solution

2011-05-27T15:07:00.001+05:30

>----->Fr. Conrad Saldanha

In the last article, I focused much on the clergy–laity conflict that’s affecting many parishes and Dioceses. There is a leadership crisis; the frustrations are often felt by the laity, because their voices are not heeded by those who rule. In my previous article I have also pointed to some of the evils and the growing trend, in this area of sound doctrine. The teaching authority of the Church is in crisis and hence the Clergy can no more exercise their leadership in a true Christian spirit.

It is true that one way to move towards a solution is to restore faithfulness to Scripture and tradition. Yet this restoration is not enough if tradition is restricted only to the intellectual sphere. Human confidence is his mind, which is normally set on the flesh and scripture refers to it as carnal and in opposition to God (Rm.8:7).

Today’s trend is, towards a world of knowledge and great emphasis is put on intellectual development. Self- glory, pride and great accomplishment all attributed to self achievement is the order of the day. Our education system and formation are oriented in the same direction.

We have begun to believe and that too strongly, that education is the solution to every problem. There are constant self-awareness exercises and programmes conducted by Government, Non-governmental organizations and the Church too has joined the bandwagon.

Even our seminary formation for priesthood tends strongly in this same direction. The initial emphasis on philosophy and then a comprehensive formula, of including the human sciences, are steps in this direction. Those learning them do not know the significance of it and what role it is supposed to play in their overall formation. Some even make the seminarians believe that these human sciences are either equal or greater than theology.

Is education a panacea for resolving every human problem? As we grew up we may have often heard such statements: “You an educated person and behaving like this” or “I gave him a good piece of advice and now he will not behave badly.” Yet, the change in behavior pattern does not take place as intended with this ‘good’ piece of advice.

In the same vein our world finds it more difficult to accept criminality in educated individuals. The white collar criminals are treated more humanely than others.

This is written not to undermine the beauty and the great contribution of education, but rather that we may realize the limitations of education, and so do not put an obstacle to other avenues available to us, in the formation of sound character. However this article is written not to offer a perfect solution for character formation, but it definitely aims at an option, which is necessary and primary. Yet, one must remember, that quite often, character formation in education, is largely accomplished in fear, or hope of rewards, rather than in voluntary acceptance. I sometimes marvel at the fears that the educated lot manifest and how they sheepishly submit to the carnal desire of self satisfaction.

A correct diagnosis often leads to the right remedy. Unfortunately, those who are expecting of me a right and perfect solution will stand disappointed. The Christian world view does not offer a perfect solution, in this our lifetime, to a complicated problem called humans. There are many factors involved, both at the level of the individual and the larger society in they exist. By offering a perfect solution one could be entering into an ideological arena. There are many in the world and in the church too who are working on this line; because they have failed to understand this reality and to live by the wisdom of the Gospel. In ideological fashion they are building a kingdom of God; a kingdom of justice, peace and brotherhood. Ultimately ending up as humanistic terrorists, intolerant of the others who oppose their myopic vision of life!

Jesus never offered us a perfect kingdom here on earth nor did he ask his disciples to work for this sort of a kingdom where justice, peace and brotherhood will reign. “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division…………….”(Lk. 12: 51-53). If what I write is shocking to you then I am not shocked at this your state. For one often hears it in many sermons and discourses about the need to build a kingdom of justice, peace and brotherhood in ideological zeal. Does this mean that we work for division? No, rather the truth of the Gospel gains precedence over every human agenda and value. The effect of the transforming power of the Gospel over the individual is such that it creates a situation of divisiveness in society. There are some who will accept it and some who will reject it. Among the some who accept it they will be again some who will accept it whole heartedly and some who will accept it with shallowness of heart. (Sower and the seed: Mt. 13:3ff; Mk.4:3 ff; Lk.8:5ff). Based on this wrong world view some are building kingdoms for God; communities of love by destroying existing communities or suppressing God’s action.

The greater and eternal good of humanity is in the Gospel. In the immediate vision it may even look bad or evil. We often reject it because our mortal abilities make us see only the immediate good. Our morality and action are based on the immediate good. The principle we live by is this: “the good is the useful”.

What is good is not always good. This requires foresight, and history has shown us that we as humans almost always seek the good that is immediate, even immediate gratification. The immediate good has a long term consequence. For example; the Marxist society was built on a good called equality; a corrupted understanding of the term. But the consequence was this: some became more equal than the others.

Community and unity is not the highest value for Jesus. He is the highest value. There are some who have made community building and work for unity a priority and in the process have with persecuting zeal, distorted every sound doctrine that concerns Christ and his redeeming action: the reason for Christian unity. Every act of love does not necessarily leads to unity but could be to division.

The early Christian Community came together on the principle of sharing what they had, with their brothers and sisters in Christ. It was not an imposed action but a voluntary act which was in response to the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ; whereby they became believers first by encounter. Audience which were not, are now made captive through the proclamation of the Gospel and by the action of the Holy Spirit.

Now this proclamation was not just an intellectual exercise by the Apostles whereby people came together in communities to share. It was an exercise that was soaked in the word and prayer (Acts 6:2-4): an exercise in the power of the Holy Spirit, with signs and wonders.

My experience of learning theology as a layman with theologians, former Rectors and now bishops has only given me a false idea of proclamation. For them proclamation meant thrusting the message forcibly down some one’s throat. No wonder they have produced some good feminist who are working towards a programme which immediately seems pro-women but is ultimately anti-women. What community can one be building if their concept of proclamation is not right? What flock will they guide as shepherds? Pseudo-intellectualism, that is not based on sound theological doctrine but a false concept based on loose sociological principles. Hence it was a growing trend to send seminarians and even priests for Sociological studies on a priority basis. Some schooled in it even fooled the masses that the service to which they were called to was social work and this proclamation has always been considered virtuous by the superiors and made them eligible to hold key positions of power by right or through patronage. If the church has to be guided by these than its future is for all to behold!

The need of the hour is also to understand the difference between teaching (Greek: Didache) and preaching (Proclamation: Kerygma). The impetus to teaching has always been there, it is the Proclamation element which has been dormant or suppressed and not given its rightful place in the church. Some have even been fooling the congregation by talking about new and innovative pedagogical methods as having substituted the office of preaching or proclamation. If the proclamation is understood in its true nature, and due precedence given to it, than it will purify the Church and those who are teachers in the Assembly of God’s holy people. “for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” Matt 7:29. How do our modern day scribes teach?

Remember, what is proclaimed is the good news of Christ and not a dead message. This message is proclaimed in the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit, hence with signs and wonders. The Church as a whole just can’t hide behind sound doctrine and reject the other element of soundness, i.e. the power of God’s Holy Spirit with us to the end of times. (Mt. 28: 20). Jesus, when he sends his Apostles, he sends them out to proclaim with power and signs. These signs are signs of the kingdom. It is not just sound character, but is deeds manifest in the power of the Holy Spirit; signs and wonders.

PRAYER: Lord, save your church and bless all those in authority that they may open their eyes to the truth of the Gospel of Christ and proclaim him in the power of God’s Holy Spirit. May they be servants of the Word, dispensing your word in all its wisdom and power.

The Clergy-Laity Conflict

2011-05-20T22:36:00.006+05:30

>>fr. Conrad Saldanha

The church can never be looked upon as separate from the laity and yet there is almost always a dialectical conflict between the laity and the priests. What constitutes the church is the clergy, religious and laity together.

The possible reasons for such a conflict are:-

The laity seems to have come of age. Thus, we have a laity which is knowledgeable; the feeling being of empowered through learning, some have done some theological courses and also are well equipped with handling the worldly affairs too.

The laity also reasons that the clergy seem to have abused their position and theological learning to subjugate and suppress the lay aspirations.

There are certain laws in the church which in keeping with the circumstance seems to be discriminatory towards the laity. In matters pastoral, the laity have a consultative and not a decision making voice in church affairs.

The priests, as leader of the community are entrusted with the responsibility of animating the community of Christ’s faithful.

A priest is supposed to be the leader of the community through his ministry as a pastor. He offers the sacrifice of the mass and administers the sacraments, preaches the word and guides the flock. Thus he also makes Christ present to the people. The lay faithful since they belong to the common priesthood can collaborate with the priest but in no way can replace the ordained priest in the functions he undertakes.

To arrive at the possible solution to this conflict we need to understand the nature of the church (ecclesiology).

The foundational fact: It is true that somebody has to take up leadership in the church of God. From among the first apostles the Lord appointed Peter to lead the community of the inner circle. The inner circle of apostles is considered as the foundation, the initial stone on which the Church is built. This leads us to the understanding that the Bishops with the Pope as the bishop of Rome are successors of the Apostles. They are the foundation around which the clergy and the entire laity gather as a sign of unity.

Being successors of the apostles they are instruments of service. The higher the office the greater is the responsibility and call to service. The Pope considers himself as the servant of the servants of Christ. This fact and aspect of service and servant hood is often misunderstood at local levels and thus not put into practice.

The Church primarily serves humanity by the proclamation of that truth that is able to save them. This is the ultimate goal and vision for which the church exists and strives for. It is not an ideology or a mere worldly wisdom which could be based on any human sciences and philosophies but a radical belief in the teaching of Christ: Christ Jesus is the message and there is no other message, not even his values and words have meaning if proclaimed apart from Christ. The teaching of Christ and his word is still relevant in our time and in our age and is able to lead one into the peace of God’s kingdom. This truth has to be first accepted and believed in order to be effective. It has to be nourished in the crucible of the Christian milieu watered by prayer; a relationship with Christ. "The priest's relation to the Church is inscribed in the relation which the priest has to Christ, such that the "sacramental representation' to Christ serves as the basis and inspiration for the relation of the priest to the Church" (Apostolic Exhortation, Pastores dabo vobis, 23 Nov. 2001, n. 16)

Some reductionists reduce this message and relegate it to human behavior and witness. ‘Witness by deeds’ is what they proclaim; though this is essential, what we fail to realize is that human beings who see things in limited perspectives need to be enlightened by the light of Christ’s words which is best received through proclamation. Yet it is never an overnight guarantee that we would become perfect judgers even of the so called good behavior and sound characters of people. History has been witness to peoples and nations who have walked in deception by following leaders who were perceived sometimes even by the majority, to be of sound integrity, yet proved to be quite the contrary. If we have to learn the truth then Jesus teaches us best; “so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice”. (Matt 23:3) One truth that was evident with the scribes and the Pharisees is this; no matter how badly they behaved they were at least faithful to the law of God in their discourse and Jesus seems to acknowledge that. You compare that with our modern day teachers. They talk about the witness of deeds as primary but they, neither in deed or in word are faithful to the Word of Christ. In a way Jesus was revealing himself as that perfect leader whom we can and should be following without any hesitation or confusion.

The situation of the world and solution: A primary service that the Church renders to the world, that is confused and steeped in darkness, is faithful proclamation. This is manifested through its faithfulness and relationship to the living Word. It is only Christ the light that dispels the darkness of even the darkest night (cfr. LK. 1:79; Jn. 1:4). Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."(John 8:12) The apostles of Christ were convinced about it and strove to proclaim Christ as the only light and Savior of the human race. Whereas we would rather meet with people of other religions in the name of dialogue, deceive and lead them further astray by telling them it is only the Protestants who are in the business of proclamation. Shame!

The importance of the Word and one of the reasons for the conviction of the Disciples concerning the necessity of Christ is seen in the Gospel of John. The truth is best brought out in the washing of the feet on Maundy Thursday when Christ washed the feet of his disciples and mandated to them the same: “You also should wash one another’s feet”. This was the symbolic depiction of the cleansing power of the Word of God and the humble cleansing service accomplished by Jesus in his disciples. “You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you”. (John 15:3) Hence, the fraternal correction and the addressing of one another in psalms and hymns and sacred songs are all noble services in the same direction (Eph. 5:19; Col.3:16). Similarly, the blood of Christ we receive in holy Eucharist is Christ made present to us through the power of his Word proclaimed: Take this….. this is my Body”. Take this all of you and drink……this is the cup of my blood.

Are we convinced of the Power of the Word and its relevance in our time? How can we say that, when we hear their (the clergy) worldly wisdom steeped in humanism and modern behavioral and Social Sciences? There was one who even went to the extent to tell me that his Psychology is much more time tested science then Scriptures. Thanks to his patrons he still continues with his heresies at the seminary.

To explain the relevance of this service, let me relate an incident that took place when I was a regent serving in the Missions. There was a young college going tribal boy whom I had asked to meet me in my office. He did not come to meet me but was expecting me to meet him at the hostel where he was in residence. When I finally did catch up with him at the hostel I immediately asked him why he did not come to see me in my office. He protested by saying; “It is your job to serve us and hence it is you who should be coming to meet me, because you have opted for service”. That sounded wise from a young man influenced in a Marxist milieu. The Marxist and the socialist always sound human and wise but impractical and myopic! After all, by joining the seminary I had made my option to serve. But the rebelliousness of the young man and his attitude needed correction, lest he carries this flaw through life and so I told him: “You are right in one thing young man, my job is to serve but what you have not realized is this; to teach you what is right and be respectful is part of this service. I suppose this sum up well the whole idea of service; the teaching office of the Church is the primary and the greatest service to mankind. To theologize in a legitimate way and bring forth the truth of the gospel is creative reaching out in the same direction. So to those in authority I must advice, “don’t make busy bodies of priest’s at the cost of this primary ministry nor train them to be experts at behavioral social sciences at the cost of the Gospel of Christ!”

Today, the church is at the threshold of confusion and disintegration. The gates of hell are at it. While the truth is suppressed even surreptitiously, many priests, theologians, bishops and cardinals are preaching worldly wisdom and ideologies or encourage the same with benefaction. This is exactly what Mary in her apparition at Fatima had warned. Pope Paul VI one year before his death had this to say: ‘"There is a great uneasiness, at this time, in the world and in the Church, and that which is in question is the faith. It so happens now that I repeat to myself the obscure phrase of Jesus in the Gospel of St. Luke: 'When the Son of Man returns will He still find faith on earth?'" It so happens that there are books coming out in which the faith is in retreat on some important points, that the episcopates are remaining silent and these books are not looked upon as strange. I sometimes read the Gospel passage of the end times and I attest that, at this time, some signs of the end are emerging. (Pope Paul VI spoke in 1977, one year before his death, and which are recorded in the book, 'The Secret Paul VI' by Jean Guitton."This quote is from page xi of "To the Priests, Our Lady's beloved sons", The Marian Movement of Priests, Fr Stefano Gobbi, 7th Indian edition [Imprimatur by + Donald W. Montrose, Bishop of Stockton]).

Can you imagine a book full of heresies used as a text book for seminary formation and with a forward by a Bishop? Or so called heretical Bibles with imprimatur's and Nihil Obstat’s by bishops and released by them with great fanfare. For more than 27 years the heresy of the Small Christian Community has been enforced on the common laity and there is no room for honest feedback or change. New Age thinking has replaced Christian spirituality, and any objection raised is suppressed. The Centre for community organization (CCO), works with a vision that goes against the very basis of sound ecclesiology, yet it is recommended to be the hub of the Parish decision making body. There are cells and organizations formed and working in our parishes which deviate from sound doctrine.

From the above one can deduce the reason for the wide and growing conflict in the Catholic Church, since at local levels the Word of Christ has been rejected. The leaders of the community of believers, i.e. the clergy, have no vision because they have rejected the vision of Jesus. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Prov. 29: 18) The very ones who have preached a gospel of rebellion, a social or sugar coated gospel now expect submission from the flock. How can a person in authority who does not submit to the Word or the Magisterium and teaches other to do the same, now demand submission to them? Though this assertion seems legitimate in keeping with the Word of Christ, which calls for obedience, yet it can never happen because of the seed of rebellion sown in the hearts and mind of the laity, which primarily and much more seriously reigns in the hearts of those who rule. Allow the truth of the Gospel to animate your life, submit to the magisterium, revive the tradition of sound spirituality and then you will be light of the World and a salt of the earth. (Mt. 5:13-14). If not then this corruption will be carried forward to other fields of activity too, as is already happening.

The Church belongs neither to the laity nor the clergy but to Christ and each one according to one’s call are stewards of God’s grace. Our positions and power can come from one’s in authority but the real dispenser of the power is Christ himself whom every family on earth must submit.

So who is to be blamed? Can the clergy who once submitted themselves to be formed in the faith be now blamed? Unfortunately, though their training does not make them effective, yet to seek and learn is an option always available to them and more so conscience enjoins upon them to do so. As leaders of the people the responsibility to live by their relationship with Christ and to teach others to do the same belongs primarily to the clergy. If he has not been helped by his formation then they have Christ present with us by the power of his Holy Spirit to guide and teach. This is also enjoined on them through the Church law. Since the law prevents the Laity and gives the special privilege to preach and teach, though at times the lay man maybe more capable, hence the greater responsibility and burden on the clergy; a responsibility they can’t ignore or take lightly.

Finally, a leader is supposed to be a visionary. Christ mission was to make us leaders with his vision. The Word of God and the countless witness of saints are instruments in that direction. If the priest is trained in theology and has easy access to things spiritual, carries his own vision into ministry, then there is bound to be confusion and anarchy. The Parish vision mission statements proudly displayed in many of our parishes and officially mandated by those in authority are evidences in these areas; a betrayal of Jesus and his mission. The modern day Judases have sold the church for self aggrandizement and this can only be retrieved when the reign of the Small Christian Community is brought to an end, in its present avatar, as it inches towards the 30 years reign.

Prayer: Lord bless the church and all those in authority that they may act with your wisdom and that we may be truly nourished at your table. May we grow in that wisdom and grace which leads us to eternity. May we never forget you our Lord and grow in a relationship with you and your saving word.

THE PRIVILIGE OF BEING A DISCIPLE

2011-05-13T22:51:00.002+05:30

fr. Conrad Saldanha

Easter is also an occasion to rejoice with the newly baptized in Christ. The church rejoices and prays for these newly baptized throughout Easter, especially in the Octave (first eight days).

Should a non-Christian be encouraged to be baptized in the faith? It is a pertinent reflection because of two reasons. On the one hand you have non-Christians who have encountered Christ and are living out their faith in Christ Jesus wonderfully without being baptized. They go to church regularly and visit the blessed sacraments, attend prayer and retreat sessions and even keep the holy feasts. Should this be enough?

On the other hand we have instances of individuals who question the whole doctrine of baptism. Recently, I was told of a situation in one of our populous parishes, where a person approached the Parish Priest in order to receive baptism and of how he was discouraged by the parish priest. These are not new or isolated cases. There are times when one has looked more at the motives rather than using the opportunity to see if they can work on these wrong motives and bring it to conformity; that’s what evangelization is all about. There has been a case where a particular priest has betrayed his office by baptizing children out of turn, in order that they may be given admission to Catholic schools. There have been theologians who boast of promoting Gospel values and even making people better in their own religious sphere.

The Archdiocesan Policy on education in the Archdiocese of Bombay has chosen a pseudo-evangelization policy in spite of protest by the then Cardinal Ivan Dias. They opted for a so called proclamation of ‘Gospel Values’ without Christ. Eyewash! Can Christ be separated from his values? (Read article on this blog site: The great Conversion Debate; 28^th January. 2011, esp. para. 4). There are some who talk of proclamation but only when one listens to them with discerning ears that the deception becomes clear, that the proclamation they talk about is the mere proclamation of gospel values rather than Jesus Christ as the one and only savior.

Though there have been some sections in the church that have been doing a commendable job yet there have been cases where there is a certain compromise while communicating the objective element of the faith. Those who oppose it are often bracketed as fundamentalist.

Recently, I heard that some section of the laity have been demanding that the church should not preach to them the need to evangelize. They have been talking about maintaining good relationship with their neighbours. Their demands based on worldly priorities, which they now want to impose on the spiritual minded Christians. Christian’s yes, but without his mandate!

Is Christ a privilege of the Christians and therefore only their savior?

All can receive from Jesus irrespective of caste, creed, and religion or color, if they are well disposed, but we as Christians, we who are baptized in his name have the advantage of the constant presence of Jesus with us. This presence means encouragement when in pain and despair, and consolation when in sadness and grief.

This is the Easter message, Christ Jesus rose from the dead and now his presence is with us. What is so special about this presence?

It’s a presence, which is the privilege of a disciple. Which means even if the disciple is not praying, nor is faithful to Christ or gone astray, strayed from the straight path and not been true to his calling, yet Christ will be there reaching out to motivate, to strengthen, to encourage, to remind, to convict, to prod like a good shepherd in search of a lost sheep in order to bring them back. (Jn. 10: 1-18) Whether he succeeds or not is another matter but he will not force us against our will.

In other words, while others may receive by asking or calling upon him, the disciples have his presence in a special way, irrespective. They need not be seeking his presence yet they have it. It’s like having a father by virtue of one being part of the family or better still; it’s like having a teacher by virtue of being part of a school. Otherwise you study on your own. What a privilege to have God with us, guiding and consoling us in a confusing and painful world.

On our part, what is required of us is a course correction. It’s like a ship on course and realizes a certain danger or lost to its original destination and now realizing its folly seeks that correction which will lead it to its ultimate destination. In the Gospel of John, the post resurrection scene in chapter 21 communicates this truth beautifully. The Apostles who want to go back to their old ways (vs. 3) encounter the risen presence of Jesus in spite of a betrayed action on their part (vs.4-14). They are set on a course correction, especially Peter (15-22). His betraying action is this; he not only betrays the Lord but now he even leads the others astray by his action of going fishing and thus encouraging them too.

In this presence we are not called to pride but rather humbly to seek his purpose and will for us in every presence. I could pride myself for knowing the principal of the school and abuse this privilege or use this privilege to learn the good things from him in personal way. Similarly with Christ’s presence and action in our lives we could pride ourselves and never seek self renewal and transformation. There was a gentleman who once received healing at a retreat centre and from that healing the only message he carried was a message of false justification. He went about telling everyone that it was on account of his righteousness that God had mercy and healed him. You could have Christ’s presence and healing even as a sinful being but this presence and healing is a call for further faith and commitment. A call for a greater responsibility.

All the post resurrection appearances of Jesus reveal this benevolent nature of his love and commitment to his disciples, who are now disoriented, disillusioned, confused, in pain and agony, lost and have even forgotten their original call and some wish to return to their old trade and ways, forgetting Christ and his message totally. Jesus appearing to them, gently reveals himself, enlightens them, prods them and gives them renewed vision and hopes and encourages them to wait to be empowered by a new presence. He is willing to make use of these sinful instruments provided they are willing to orient themselves to his promptings.

As long as they are his disciples they will benefit much, first by humbly recognizing him and then by recall and repentance, and renewed zeal and strength.

Primarily, all these things could happen to them because they were His disciples. What would happen if Christ makes an appearance or prompts a person who is not his disciple? They would not recognize him at all. They would perhaps not respond the way the disciple would. A true disciple does not even require Christ’s physical presence in order to recognize Him. As he listens, the Word of Jesus burns in his heart, the Eucharist keeps his eyes open and this is enough to send him on a similar mission to make disciples of others. But to those who are not his disciple these things are meaningless and irrelevant and in extreme circumstances it may be like casting pearls to swine. And there are those pseudo-disciples, baptized as children but never make a renewed response to this constant call. Christ still prods them yet they are as it blinded by the god of this world (2Cor.4:4). For them, these things are only drudgery and a burden. These would find the Word of God, a heavy load on their hearts, and the Eucharist a meaningless ritual and obligation that has to be fulfilled soon, to create feelings of ‘fulfilled obligation.’ There are some in authority who exploit this situation by putting a burning guilt in their heart by accusing them of only praying but not serving.

Yet the warning remains: do not take this privilege for granted. A king’s son can take his privilege for granted and abuse his position only to be dethroned by his father or find his privileges withdrawn by popular demand. He never knows when it could happen but it will. Christ’s faithfulness towards us is constant but yet there are certain actions whereby we break our relationship with Christ; by explicit breaking of God’s first commandment and holding on to unforgiveness and an unbridled life of gratification and debauchery.

The baptized in Christ are now the privileged members of Christ’s household, and thus his disciples. The more they attune themselves to and respond to each prompting of Christ’s presence, the more they will grow in the grace and privileges of a disciple. Those left out, because of their own foolishness, will only be led to envy and jealousy, and be instruments that seek to persecute the others, all this encouraged by the enemy.

Though the un-baptized could always have Christ’s presence and promptings apart from ritual baptism but the seal of Christ imprinted through baptism on the soul sets one aside from among the people of the world into the household of God (2 Cor 1:22). A household established and redeemed by the blood of Christ (Eph.1:7). Christ Jesus is the Lord of this household and he holds them as his beloved and seeks them even when lost and brings them back to himself. On their part they are weak and poor and they know that only Jesus can be their strength at all times. They are always filled with gratitude to God for giving them Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. They rejoice at the Word of Christ with burning hearts, which may even come to them as testimonies of the one’s who have experienced Christ or the glorious fellowship of believers. Every Eucharistic celebration is a moment for nourishment as they are fed through opened eyes.

Prayer: God our Father, I thank you for sending Jesus your beloved Son to die for us and be with us till the end. May I always seek to know him and his constant presence with me and respond to his many promptings? May Christians all over recognize this presence and respond to it and thus be true disciples of Jesus.