Conversion of St. Paul.

Conversion of St. Paul.

Pope Francis has been the talk of the town , rather of the world, ever since he appeared on the Vatican gallery with his first humble utterance “pray for me”. Just a few years in the Chair of St. Peter and our Holy Father has attracted the respect of world leaders  in the corridors of power and the gratitude of poor refugees and immigrants  on the periphery of society.  And yet, when a journalist asked him: “Who is Jorge Mario Bergolio?” “I am a sinner” came the frank and humble public confession from one whom we all address as the Holy Father.

Our self-conceited and self-righteous society of today, trapped by inhuman rivalry and cruel violence, lives in a world of damaging denials. We maliciously hide our sins and stubbornly deny we are sinners. We always accuse the other and never admit our own faults, falsely pretending that we seek peace and justice, and we moan:  “Isn’t it , isn’t it terribly sad, I am so good and the world is so bad”. Notice however, that we Catholics, Like Pope Francis, admit that we are sinners.

At every Holy Mass we begin with the humble acknowledgement of our sins, saying: “Through my fault, through my fault to my most grievous fault” and then we pray: Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.   In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we begin by saying:“Bless me father, for I have sinned,”  and then we are absolved with the words: “May Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you, your sins and lead you to eternal Life. Indeed, we confess we are sinners and God declares us sainta!

Today, in the feast of the conversion of St. Paul  , we have an edifying example of the power of God’s mercy transforming a notorious sinner into a notable saint, a Hebrew Saul to a Christian Paul. The story reported by St. Luke  in the Acts of the Apostles in Chptrs: 9, 22 and 26; and in St. Paul’s own letters to the Galatians 1, 13-17; and Phillipians 3,4-7  tells us of a self-righteous and self-conceited Saul, a young  Orthodox educated Jew and a Roman  citizen. Saul is all set on a vicious mission to imprison  the disciples of Jesus Christ and wipe out their Resurrection claims. But suddenly, Saul’s  journey  to Damascus is intercepted by a bright light; he falls blindly to the ground, and a voice calls him by name, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?; a dialogue ensues; Who are you, Lord” ? Asks the blind Saul,  “I am  Jesus the Nazarene whom you are persecuting,”, admonishes Jesus.   Saul is repentant and asks: What am I to do? And Jesus directs him to the devout Ananias who is himself inspired in a vision to  restore Saul’s sight and set him on a path pf conversion, from Saul, a fanatical persecutor of Christians to Paul, a zealous Apostle of  the Gentiles. This genuine conversion  from sinner to saint offers us three reflections:

First, that spiritual Conversion is always an initiative of our merciful God; It is Jesus who first confronts Saul and admonishes him for his vicious plans;

Secondly, Conversion takes place only in a repentant sinner, open to God’s forgiveness. Shocked to realise who he was persecuting, Saul does not defend nor deny his sin but seeks a solution: What am I to do?

Thirdly, true Conversion is the gift of God’s mercy, turning a sinner into a saint.  Saul the over-zealous Jew, becomes by the mercy of God, Paul the committed Christian; from an aggressive persecutor to a zealous proclaimer of the Faith.

In St. Paul conversion means to be totally focussed on Jesus Christ; Now on his slogans are: I live not I, Christ lives in me; For me to live is Christ; Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel; All I want is to know Christ and Him crucified. I long to be dissolved and be with Christ. Now on, graced by God’s mercy, St. Paul commences a “spiritual work of mercy” of admonishing the Christians to shun sin and embrace sanctity.

We have other Conversion stories in the Gospel of Sinner-Saints, like Mary Magdalene, Peter, Zacheus, etc. and what is most characteristic about them is not so much the turning away from sin as the permanent following of Christ and no turning back.

The Lives of all Saints reflect this “Conversion” spirituality. We notice also a Conversion pattern in the life of a nine year old country boy, Johnny whom Jesus admonishes in a dream: “not with blows”  and sets him on  a mission to be the Father of youth,  a channel of God’s mercy to the young. Here too, it is Jesus who initiates the conversion of Don Bosco who wholeheartedly devoted himself to the conversion of the young and the poor, transforming them from street boys to altar boys. He did so, particularly through the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation (Confession)

God acts in our lives too. He takes the initiative and admonishes us too. Through our conscience or through our family or good friends, Jesus admonishes us and invites us to the Sacrament of mercy to be embraced by his forgiving love. Are we in denial declaring ourselves: I am not a sinner! Listen, Jesus says “I have come for sinners” and repeatedly assures us: Go, your sins are forgiven. Let us recall also that scene in the Gospel where Jesus declares that the Publican at the backdoor who prayed, “Lord forgive me a sinner” was more pleasing to God that the self-righteous Pharisee at the altar.

Confession of our sins draws down the mercy of God  and is the surest path to personal holiness, family peace and world harmony. Don Bosco’s pedagogy of sanctity was to help his boys to understand that the Confessional is God’s throne of mercy  and not a seat of judgement and condemnation. He made himself available at all times and in all places,  for this ministry of mercy. Holiness flourished among the youth in his oratory.

May the Sacrament of Reconciliation for us, young and old, be an experience of conversion of a prodigal son or daughter being embraced by an all forgiving merciful Father who says: Even if you sins are red as scarlet  will make them white as snow. "Go and sin no more".

WHAT'S NEW THIS NEW YEAR - 2016?

The New Year is not about changing 'dates' but rather changing 'directions'. The Christmas experience of the Wisemen led them to change direction away from the murderous King Herod.                   A sure sign that we have encountered the Baby Jesus this Christmas will be the inspiration within us, to change the direction of our lives so often trapped in selfishness sins and to move towards a New Year, to all that is bright and beautiful, generous and kind.

The New Year is not about changing 'calendars' but more about reinforcing 'commitments' in our day to day life, like Tubby. The story goes that the statue of the Baby Jesus was missing from the crib in the parish church. An anxious search by the sacristan spotted the Baby Jesus in the toy red pickup van which Tubby was pushing around the church compound. "What are you up to, Tubby"? Well, I am keeping my promise to Jesus", came the innocent reply. Tubby had prayed for a nice toy car at Christmas and made a commitment to give  Jesus the first ride. In fact, isn't Christmas the celebration of a promise, a commitment of God to send His only begotten Son  to redeem us?

The New Year is not about changing 'actions' but rather, building attitudes to face the future. Life as we have experienced thus far is an uneven blend of Adventures and Inconveniences. A closer look will reveal that they are in fact the same, depending on our attitude.
An inconvenience is actually an adventure negatively considered and an 'adventure' is actually an inconvenience positively viewed. The Christmas event too could be described negatively, as a series of inconveniences. With the eyes of a positive faith, we celebrate instead, the unique adventure of a God becoming man. 

The Salesian Strenna 2016, presented by the Rector Major invites us: "With Jesus, to journey together with the young, the adventure of the Holy Spirit".

Let's wish each other, an 'adventurous New Year, 2016!"

GOD’S MERCY in merciless times

CHRISTMAS homily

25^th December; 2015

GOD’S MERCY in merciless times

Introduction.

This year, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, 8^th Dec., Pope Francis opened the Holy Doors of the Church and ushered us into the Extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy.

Tonight, as we stand on the threshold of Christmas 2015, let us open the doors of our lives to our wonderful God who draws us into his  merciful embrace with  the tender inviting arms and the innocent warm smile of a child;  Tonight, the Holy Spirit moves us in turn to spontaneously embrace  the Babe of Bethlehem, Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world.

Christmas! What  a singular strategy of Divine Mercy which only a loving  and forgiving God could design for us.

Let us begin our Christmas Eucharist with contrite hearts, acknowledging our unworthiness and humbly imploring God’s mercy fo transform us into Merciful Christians. (pause)

I confess ……May Almighty God have mercy on us ……. 

 Homily

Notwithstanding the growing commercialization of Christmas with sinister efforts to reduce it to a secular holiday or to replace it with Good Governance Day; and despite the increasing hostility towards Christ and Christians, in several countries, you and I are here tonight to confirm our Faith and proclaim with joy to the world that mankind will live for evermore because of that First Christmas, in Bethlehem.

The  First Christmas was not a ‘bedtime story’ that lulls us to sleep in the silence of a holy night and wakes us up with Jingle bells and  Santa’s stockings;

-       the First Christmas was not an expensive birthday party with colorful dresses and delicious dishes, celebrated under star-studded skies;

-       the First Christmas was not even a musical extravaganza of ‘red-nosed reindeer songs’ and dancing melodies.

Lest we get trapped in such distorted festivities, and abandon the sacred mystery of Salvation and the deeper message of Forgiveness, let us tonight revise our Bible history and renew our Christian faith in the greatest story ever told – Christmas,

Far from being a philosophical myth or  theological dogma, the First Christmas, as the Holy Bible states,  marks  the History of a Lifetime Mystery – God with us – Emmanuel!

Since the last 2015 years, Christmas commemorates the greatness and the dignity of the human person, created by God to his own image.

At this time, we are celebrating God who loved the world so much that in the fullness of time, He sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, born of a woman, to redeem His sacred image, distorted by Original Sin. It is because of this redeemed image of God imprinted in every human person that any offence against the human person is an offence against God and every denial of God ends up being a denial of the greatness and the dignity of the human person. In order to teach us what it means to be truly human, and to save us from further abuse of  humanity, God became man in Jesus the Christ, fully human and always divine. Christmas must impress upon us, the sacred worth and sublime dignity of every human life from the first instant until natural death.

Christmas, as the angels sang, is a feast of Joy to the world. giving glory to God in the highest and bringing peace to people of good will. Christmas is a family feast of Christ the  Light who enlightens our homes  and brightens our universe as proclaimed by the Prophet Isaiah: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who live in the land of deep shadow a light has shone. You have made their gladness greater, you have made their joy increase; they rejoice in your presence as people rejoice at harvest time. For there is a child born for us, a son given to us and dominion is laid on his shoulders; and this is the name they give him: Wonder-Counselor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Word, Promoter-of-Peace

However, while we celebrate  Christmas 2015, we are sadly aware  that Life, particularly, Human life is murdered and destroyed by the merciless culture of death. Today, our faith in Christmas as a celebration of pardon and peace is challenged.

We witness Human Life not as a dignified triumph, but a degrading tragedy marred by beastly Terrorism and Bomb blasts; Communal Violence and mini wars;  Abortion and Euthanasia; murders and Suicides; Caste conflicts and  Honor Killings. Called by God to be stewards  of his creation, we are recklessly destroying our “Common Home” by exploiting Nature and poisoning the environment. Global warming and “climate change” are sharp warnings that our world is hurtling down to Doom’s Day. What we are seeing today is the entrenching  of the ‘Culture of Death and Darkness’ in the world at large and even infiltrating into the hearts and minds of our non-violent and peace-loving people of India..

In this scenario, we disciples of  Jesus Chris must not be prophets of doom and disaster. Not at Christmas time! Rather, inspired by the encouraging assurance of Jesus, “Do not be afraid, I am with you till the end of times” and guided by the Holy Spirit through the upfront prophetic and pastoral leadership of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, we Christians must firmly believe and proclaim that God still loves the world; We await in Hope and believe that Mankind  will live for ever more, because Christmas celebrates the fact that God full of mercy in Jesus Christ  will come again in  power and glory to establish a counter culture of Peace over Violence, Light over Darkness, and Life over Death.

By the solemn opening of Cathedral doors, the world over,  and announcing The Extraordinary Holy Year, Pope Francis urges us, the Church to boldly confront the merciless and meaningless destructive forces of Evil by upholding the banner of God’s Mercy. 

 In his papal letter, entitled ‘Misericordiae vultus’, the Face of Mercy, Pope Francis chalks out a a very practical Peace plan of action for us to follow. He reminds us that Mercy is not an abstract concept but rather, a face to recognize, a truth to contemplate and a recipe to serve through corporal and spiritual works of Mercy.  Jesus  by His own example  has given us a Gospel of Mercy, so full of simple parables, compassionate images and forgiving episodes.

This Holy Year is  Mercy time, and Christmas heralds an extraordinary campaign which states that the only answer to satanic evil and cruel violence, is not destructive retaliation but rather, better Communication and patient Dialogue to obtain Peaceful justice  and genuine Communion in our lives, in our families, among nations and throughout the universe.

To us Christians, Christmas is Divine Mercy Incarnate urging us to welcome the God of forgiveness through the sacrament of Confession and reconciliation  and nourished by the Holy Eucharist, to be forgiving and merciful ourselves. Yes, Christmas is a Gospel Imperative to love and protect all forms of life , but especially to defend Human Rights against abortion, euthanasia, female infanticide, caste and honor killings.

Christmas is infact, a missionary mandate. Jesus Christ, sent by our merciful Father, has chosen us and sends us to share in his mission of Forgiveness. As partners with Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us make Christmas 2015 a season of reconciliation , love and joyful peace, within  our own families and communities; our neighborhood and work places.

May Mary of Nazareth, whom we devoutly address: Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy strengthen our Faith in Jesus, the Divine Mercy and  sustain our Hope as we journey through this vale of trials and tears.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit and nourished by the transforming Bread of Life at this Holy Eucharist let us go out  to celebrate not only a merciful Christmas Day -2015, but a Holy Year, 2016 of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace.

From CLIMATE CHANGE TO CLEMENCY CHANGE.

These days of December 2015, at the Paris Summit, our concern is focussed on the need to arrest the global warming leading to a "Climate Change" that threatens Human Life and consequently Nature itself. We hope the conclusions emerging from the PS will awaken our  joint responsibility to respond to the challenge and implement certain strategic action to save our universe. 

Pope Francis in his encyclical, "Laudato Si" , has alerted not only the Church but the entire world to address this major concern for our "common home" and invited prayers for an effective resolution at the Paris Summit. A resolution that admits our common admission of guilt and a greater solidarity of involvement in  the global campaign to arrest Climate Change. 

But now, on 8th. December 2015, with his letter, "Vultus Misericordiae", Pope Francis has pointed to an even major concern than Climate Change. We may term it "Clemency Change". In recent times, the world over,  dehumanising and destructive wars are tearing into the prosperous and peaceful fabric of our human society our society. As never before, as Pope Francis observes, we are already trapped in a "Third World War", piecemeal. 

The need for "Clemency Change" is urgent, both at national and international levels. The strategy that Pope Francis has indicated, is a sincere belief in the "God of mercy" who chose to reveal His merciful heart in the mystery of the "incarnation of Divine Mercy".
Created to the image of God, the merciful, and guided by the incarnate manifestation of Divine Mercy, Jesus Christ, are called to be in turn merciful brothers and sisters to each other. The concrete and personal experience of God's mercy, Pope Francis believes, will transform our generation into a merciful society,
"Be merciful for I am merciful".

Personal and Community Faith and Miracles.

Jesus makes it very clear that miracles do not lead to faith but faith that is manifest in miracles. In most cases of healing, it is the faith of the sick person that Jesus ascertains and the miracle follows. "Your faith has made you whole", says Jesus. It is not only personal faith in Jesus that benefits individuals like the blind Barthimaeus, or the woman with the issue of blood but also a community faith that cures the ten lepers.

But personal faith in Jesus is not only for personal benefits. In the Gospel of Luke 5, 17-26 we have an example of an "altruistic faith" of some in Jesus, that works miracles to benefit others. Jesus lauds the absolute faith of the friends of the sick man who is lowered through the roof and who benefits from their faith.

Faith in Jesus, therefore, is not only for personal benefits. In fact, for us who are Priests, the quality of our faith in Jesus must be altruistic and benefit the people we minister too.  Like the faith of the friends of the paralytic, our faith in Jesus must find us proactive  in bringing the physically or morally sick people into His presence full of confidence in the Divine Physician.

The Extraordinary Holy Year must find us more attentive to the altruistic dimension of our faith for the benefit of those we serve. 

Marriage - basis of natural society.

Marriage, monogamous or polygamous, in most cultures and countries, is a bond of love between man and woman. It has always been celebrated as a public social event and not just a private contract between men and women. Marriage is not mere religious rituals but responsible rights engaging not only the marriage partners but society itself which sees itself charged with the task of providing support with appropriate means and sanctions, all intended to protect the institution of marriage and the common good of society. 

The Catholic Church, since its inception has upheld the teachings of Christ on marriage and family, as ordained by God Himself. So, " What God has put together, let no one pull asunder". However, Social needs, cultural pressures and the "hardness of hearts" have led Marriage through a history of polygamy, polyandry and monogamy to build an "extended family" and in more recent times to form a "nuclear family". Children were always considered a blessing of God.

Catholic Church doctrine, based on Sacred Scripture defines marriage as a sacramental communion, by mutual consent between one man and one woman and ordained towards building up a home and family of children. It is a bond essentially of mutual  love and safeguarded by a legal contract recognised by the secular state and upheld by the Church as a sacred, indissoluble sacrament, "till death do us part

Today, the mis-understanding of Marriage is calling to question not only the very composition of a one man one woman  in a permanent bond but proposing "same sex" unions and easy "Divorce". The concept of home and family blessed with children, the fruit of the marriage communion is reduced to an "orphanage" of adopted children and aborted embryos. 

Marriage is not in crisis. It has been a success story. It has for centuries been the matrimonial joint-pillar that has been the basis of domestic, national and international families the world over. What is in crisis is the understanding today of Marriage, Family and Home.

Rightly concerned about the situation of humanity torn apart by unbridled liberal thinking and feeling responsible to conserve God's Creation and Creatures in submission to His Will, The Catholic Church, through a prayerful Synodal discernment is entering into dialogue within the Church, to address the pains and problems that obviously underlie the distorted thinking.
Will the ongoing Synod of Bishops meet the challenge?  

".   

Don Bosco - Mystic, Prophet and Friend.

We have for too long contemplated Don Bosco in his spirituality of Work. Statements reported to be uttered by our Founder have become slogans for us, Salesians: Work, work work, bread and heaven; We shall rest in heaven; the day a salesian dies working is a triumph for the congregation. Over the years, Salesian Spirituality has been steeped in a commitment to work without Temperance and eating into our prayer moments.

We need to return to Don Bosco the Mystic. Mama Margaret nurtured the spiritual life of her children and planted in them a deep realistic conviction  that life is 'union with God'. Infact, already from the age of nine, John Bosco was blessed with mystical experiences which he described as dreams. He followed his dreams in a spirit of obedience to the Guide offered to him.