WHY DID JESUS SUFFER?

After the Original Sin of our first Parents described in the Sacred Scripture, HUMAN LIFE ceased to be a state of eternal bliss in God's Kingdom but became an arduous journey back to Original Blessing. Human Life became a 'return journey" from brokenness to wholeness, from powerlessness to powerfulness, from pain and suffering to  health and healing.

The Yahweh of mercy, however did not abandon his people but promised and provided leaders who were Prophets, Judges and Kings to lead them through a long journey across the deserts to the "promised land" as recorded in  the Holy Bible. While Yahweh remains always faithful to his Covenants the people stumble into broken covenants. Finally the patient and forgiving Yahweh sends His own Son as Messiah to redeem Human Life. Thus Jesus Christ entered our world, born of a Woman and his entire life from the crib of his birth to the cross of his death becomes a model for imitation. "I am the way, the life and the truth," He says, and again: "Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart". 

Suffering is part and parcel of the Human Life and we all have to make the journey from brokenness, powerlessness and suffering like Jesus did.  Jesus sets an example for us to accept and not deny  our brokenness; to  surrender and not control our powerlessness; and, to respond to suffering, not with curses but compassion. Seen in this light, the life of Jesus teaches us how to live the brokenness, powerlessness and suffering in our own lives. We may even say that Jesus did not experience brokenness, powerlessness and suffering in order to redeem us but rather to guide our own human life to God's Kingdom. Hence, though Jesus has set us a convincing example, we are only redeemed when we accept Jesus Christ in faith and faithfully follow Him who is "our Way, our Life and Our Truth." 

Bro. Robert Dias RIP

Robert Dias SDB - "Secretary par excellence"!

As we mourn the sad demise of our Salesian Brother, Robert Dias, on 4th. November 2016, at a ripe old age 93, many memories of his edifying life rush into my mind. Chief among these, for certain, many will agree is: "Rev. Bro. Bob, the committed Salesian at the Secretarial desk." Infact, I remember him as a long time, faithful secretary to Archbishop of Madras -Mylapore, Louis Mathias for many years. 

Later, after the death of the Archbishop, Bro. Bob served as Secretary to several Provincials of the Southern Salesian province of Madras, India, extending  over Tamilnad, Andhra, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharastra. After the province of Bombay was was established, we requested the experienced secretarial services of Bro. Bob and he willingly took up this responsibility in the provincial office. 

Bro. Bob was certainly a great help to me, not only with his secretarial skills but as a committed and convinced Salesian Brother. Observing him at close quarters, he came across as a person of deep faith in God, with tender devotion to Mother Mary and a steadfast attachment to Don Bosco and his own identity as a Salesian Brother. 

He was a very dependable secretary with a keen sense of duty done to perfection. 
He attended to his desk work, tapping the typewriter keys into late nights to get the provincial circulars and other correspondence despatched on time. He was very caring in his dealings especially with young Salesians and quite popular at community gatherings. Even at an advanced age, he surprised us with his active presence on the field, yes, formidable with the hockey stick in hand.

I saw in Robert,"an elder brother" who lived life with exemplary religious zest. He could be consulted and entrusted with confidential matters. Though much senior to me in age and Salesian profession, and while he was at times quite opinionated, his exemplary faith and respect for superiors was an edifying lesson.

At the request of the Superiors, Bro. Bob served in the office of the General Secretariat in Rome, for a couple of years. In response to the missionary appeal, Bro. Bob opted for the African missions and here too, we had his precious services as provincial secretary for quite some years in Nairobi, Kenya. Bro. Robert spent the last years of his life as a zealous missionary in Uganda and as per his desire, is laid to rest in the land of the Ugandan martyrs. 

As a genuine missionary, Bro. Bob always manifested a deep love for the people of the mission land rather than the land itself. He leaves us to cherish and even imitate his edifying life of total commitment to God and selfless dedication to his vocation of a Salesian, Missionary Brother. 

May The Lord embrace his most faithful Disciple, Robert Dias SDB and through his intercession bless our Salesian Congregation with more missionary vocations.

Paul the convert

25^th’ January: Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.

 (DB Novena 4^th Day – Love & Punishment)

Introduction

Today’s Liturgy draws our attention to a unique conversion of a sinner Saul to a Saint Paul. On this final day of the Christian Unity Week, we pray for the conversion of hearts and reconciliation   among all Christian churches, to form one flock under one Shepherd, Jesus Christ. On this fourth day of the Novena we pray through the intercession of Don Bosco, for the conversion of our families from brokenness and sinfulness to wholeness and holiness.                                                      And now, because we believe that God is our compassionate and merciful Father, who is eagerly, waiting to pardon us not punish us, let us humbly confess our sins and pray in this Eucharist for our own conversion to communion with Jesus.  

Homily

Today’s Liturgy draws our attention to a two thousand year old conversion story of a sinner Saul to a Saint Paul.  But why celebrate a conversion? For waging a cruel persecution against the Disciples of Christ, Saul should have been punished. Instead, Jesus intercepts this persecutor on his way to Damascus, transforms him with his forgiving love and enrols him among his Apostles.  No punishment but pardon. That’s the story of God’s mercy that converts every sinner and celebrates a saint. Jesus celebrated conversions through forgiveness not punishments. The parables like the prodigal son, the conversion stories of Peter who denied the Master, of Thomas who doubted Christ’s resurrection, of a sinner woman, Magdalene, of the tax collector, Zaccheus, and several others recorded in Sacred Scripture, result in a joyous celebration of Conversions through God’s merciful pardon, not harsh punishment.

With reason, therefore, the Church commemorates this spectacular conversion of Saul from a fanatical persecutor to a faithful proclaimer, chiefly to focus our attention on the forgiving pedagogy of God’s incarnate love, Jesus Christ. Won over, more by the love of the compassionate Jesus, Saul became Paul, a committed missionary with deep convictions:   I live not I, Christ lives in me; for me to live is Christ; Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel of Love not punishments.

Let us reflect on another 200 years old conversion story of a fatherless, young Johnny who becomes Fr. John Bosco. He is acclaimed today as the Father of poor and needy youth across the world. Don Bosco claimed that he received in a dream or spiritual experience  at the age of nine, not only his mission to be an educator, but was also given a sure Guide, the Mother of mercy and  a distinct educative method: Not with blows. No punishments but pardon.  To be faithful to this sacred calling, Don Bosco also claimed that he did not take a single step without the guidance of Mother Mary, and that he won the hearts of the young, not by instilling in them an unholy fear of a punishing God, but by inculcating a spirituality of the heart, based on God’s overwhelming love   as described by St. Francis de Sales, the patron Don Bosco chose for his religious congregation.  

“Spare the rod and spoil the child”, has been an oft repeated principle since the time of the Public  schools and boardings as depicted in movies like Oliver Twist and Annie. Corporal punishments were endorsed as a salutary method of education.  It was in fact prevalent in the 19^th century. The pious Mummy of Johnny did not exclude punishments in raising her children. DB recalls how he expected to be punished by his mother when he had accidentally broken an oil jar. He got ready a cane to receive a well deserved punishment. Instead, his wise Mama Margaret, rewarded his honesty and condoned his petty crime, thus teaching the future educator that pardon does more good than punishment for children. This conviction was planted in his mind even in that dream or vision at the age of nine, when he was commissioned to transform naughty children from fighting wolves into gentle sheep, with a clear mandate: Not with blows or punishments!

Years later, reflecting on his flourishing youth apostolate, and the growing team of Salesians, initially in Italy, then in Europe and across the continent, Don Bosco attributed the successs of his youth ministry to the  divinely inspired method of educating the young: Not with blows. He named it the Preventive System of education as opposed to the Repressive system, which was much in vogue at that time and consisted in making the rules known and then punishing the offenders.

Based on the three pillars of Religion, Reason and Loving Kindness, the Preventive system of Don Bosco instead, requires the Parent or educator to be present as a father or mother, a teacher and a friend. As a father or mother, the educator inculcates an experience of a loving God, as a provider and caretaker, especially in the early stages of the child’s life;  then as the children grow through the phases of restless adolescence and intellectual curiosity,   the educator accompanies  them by his presence as a knowledgeable and competent Teacher, in a dialogue of reason and patience ; and all through this growing process , the parent or educator   remains present as a true Friend of the youth, always supportive especially as they mature through the spiritual, intellectual, moral and social challenges of adolescence, to grow into  good children of God  and honest citizens of the world.

Did Don Bosco talk of punishments? Yes, he did. His writings on punishments are interesting and valuable. “Wherever possible, never make use of punishments” he would say. “The educator ought to love if he wishes to be feared (respected)”, was another of his comments. “Withdrawing kindness is a punishment, but a punishment that excites emulation that encourages one never to repeat mistakes again.”  Youngsters who are mischievous find the strength to apologize, improve their behaviour when they realize that they have brought sadness to those who love them and whose affection they have lost. “With youngsters,” Don Bosco would say, “that which serves as a punishment punishes. It is observed that one look without affection at a certain youngster has greater effect than a slap. Praise when something is done well or pointing out the mistake is already a reward or punishment for the children” said Don Bosco.

It is obvious that to obtain positive results in this preventive system of education, there must already exist a healthy rapport of the parent/educator with the children, as father/mother, teacher and friend. Not only must the educator love the child, but the child must feel being loved, said Don Bosco. “Make yourself loved” Don Bosco repeated often to his Salesians.

When Don Bosco wrote a few pages on his “preventive system”, he must have surely had his mother, Mama Margaret in mind. She was father/mother, teacher and friend to her children and to Don Bosco, in particular, accompanying him all through his youth and later in his priestly youth ministry. In a circular letter to his Salesians on the subject of punishments, Don Bosco passed on her message when he wrote: Never resort to punishments, until you have exhausted all other means. Choose a favourable moment to correct. Remove every hint that would make people deduce that you are acting out of passion; carry out your correction in such a way that there is hope for the one that has made a mistake and possibly, pardon. Strive to make yourself loved, instill a sense of duty and a holy reverence of God and you will see with what admirable ease the doors of children’s   hearts will open.

As you may have already realized, the Preventive System of Don Bosco is in fact, the implementation of the Divine Pedagogy of Love and forgiveness as against Law and punishment,  preached and practised by The Eternal Educator, Jesus Christ. 

Unfortunately, our short tempered society today has strayed away into the shortcuts of violence and vengeance. Tragically, as you know too well, our children are exposed even in Homes and educational institutions to the blows of revenge and rebellion which only breeds terrorism.

However, like Don Bosco who hoped against hope and took up the challenge of replacing the Repressive system, let us confirm our belief in the Preventive System as relevant today and resolve to educate our children, the Jesus Way, not with blows of punishments but blessings of  pardon seventy times seven. As Salesian Family that we are, as educators today, we owe it to our children both at home and in school, to be present among them, as Fathers, Mothers, Teachers and Friends, who know to pardon and not to punish. Not with blows.

Farewell Fr. Romulo RIP

Rev. Fr. ROMULO NORONHA  rip
Please accept my deep sympathy as I join the bereaved family, you and the confreres of the province of Panjim in prayer, offering back to God, his precious gift, our dear Fr. ROMULO. For certain, Our merciful Lord has embraced him in eternal bliss. Surely, Mother Mary, whose Assumption  we just celebrated, has opened the gates of heaven for him. 
Fr. ROMULO will be remembered by very many for his friendly dealings and helpful ways. My association with Romulo began in the formation house in Yercaud, Tamilnad, way back in 1962. I saw him as a very practical and hardworking confrere, a trait that defined his whole life, even through the period of his recent illness. Generous in every way, he reached out to others, unmindful of his own health. He was qualified in the technical field and rendered valuable leadership as Rector in our institutions. True to our Salesian Spirituality, he lived a blend of work and prayer and as Novice Master, was an inspiration to his novices. As the Delegate of the Konkan region, he guided the early steps of the present Province of Panjim. Let us remember him with gratitude and draw inspiration from his life of priestly zeal and Salesian commitment.
Farewell Fr. ROMULO and thank you!

Sincerely,
Tony D'S sdb

Gospel Leadership

The Gospel Leadership of Jesus Christ – the only answer for all times.

Modern manuals on Leadership point out repeatedly, that the great leaders of history are  those with a vision, persons who have been open to life, who immersed themselves in it and come face to face with their own vulnerabilities. Such indeed is the Biblical pattern of leadership described as the “suffering servant” in Isaiah 42, and repeatedly exemplified in the Gospels.

The inauguration of Gospel Leadership takes place at the river Jordan. Jesus Christ enters into a real human setting, for his baptism. He chooses to become part of his people, to immerse himself into the community with its need for repentance  and expectation of a Messiah. At the Jordon, attested by his heavenly Father, as “My beloved Son”, Jesus achieves the status of a ‘Messiah”, a leader because he deeply experiences the heart of sinful and suffering people. The temptations in the desert that followed, tried to distort his Messianic leadership by offering him the lure of wealth, power and glory. But Jesus remains true to his identity as  the Faithful Word, the Obedient Son and the humble Servant of God’s Kingdom. He embarks on a new path of leadership, as Isaiah points out, to become one with his people in order to lead them to eternal Life.. It is this Gospel Leadership of Jesus, the Way, the Life and the Truth that is the perennial answer to the challenges of changing times.

Gospel Leadership is Power to serve.

When Jesus preached on the Kingdom of God, he defined the role of leadership as a power to serve and not to dominate. To the ambitious sons of Zebedee He said: "You know that among the gentiles, their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be a slave, to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to serve but to give his life as ransom for many” (Mk.10, 42-45). It is a power which has an enormous influence in the lives of people who benefit from the service..

The Leadership ministry of Jesus is characterised by the release of God’s power in service as He instructs his disciples, expels demons and heals those who believe. The woman with the issue of blood touches Jesus and power goes out from him. When Jesus sends out the disciples two by two he confers power on them. “Receive the Holy Spirit to heal and cast out demons”. Today, genuine Church leaders  should feel empowered by the same Spirit  and develop ways of making decisions, organizing life and harmonising gifts in our Christian communities. Sad to say, like the disciples competing for primacy and positions, not a few in the hierarchy keep mixing up the two types of power, wanting to rule and lord it over others, instead of releasing the power of service to others. “This is not to happen among you”, Jesus still insists.

The Catholic Priest is a leader ordained for Servant ministry.

If the Catholic Priest is  essentially an “Alter Christus” who may say with St. Paul: “I live not I, but Christ lives in me,”  then his first responsibility is to proclaim the mystery of God and his Kingdom. The clergy participate in the messianic anointing of Jesus and are  “sent” to bring Good News to the poor, the oppressed and the sick, in fact to the world The vast majority of priests and bishops in fact,  provide edifying spiritual witness and committed pastoral ministry. Yet, a vocational crisis in the Catholic Church persists and seems to be triggered, not so much by doctrinal differences on the Priesthood, nor by a clamour for a married clergy; but rather, by an increasing disappointment today with the actual exercise of priestly ministry. Too often, the Catholic Priest has become a hyphenated or multi-task professional; or a business manager absorbed in administrative, financial and organizational activities. Consequently, Priestly ministry, though intended primarily to serve the spiritual and pastoral needs of the community, suffers from fatigue and disinterest? Quite often and not without reason,  some priests are labelled as domineering and arrogant, unavailable and partial, and even dishonest. A few are even publicly criticised and physically assaulted. The unbecoming behaviour of some is often overshadowing the saintly witness of exemplary pastors and perhaps attracting fewer candidates to the priestly and religious life.

In chapter 13, the Evangelist John captures the mind of Jesus on ministerial service .  In a telling gesture, at a very significant moment of the Last Supper, Jesus dramatically rose from the table to wash the feet of his embarrassed Apostles. He made it absolutely clear that his style of leadership which he intended to share particularly with his chosen apostles, was different from what was exercised in other secular or religious groups. Gospel leadership as Jesus practised and preached was never to be associated with dress, and so, no flow ing robes and showy phylacteries; no reservation for prominent places and therefore, no status privileges.

In Jesus of Nazareth, Part II, chapter 3, Pope Benedict XVI sees Jesus washing the feet of his apostles not so much as an act of ritualistic purification.  It may seem that Jesus replaced the ritual concept with a moral diktat, the purity of the heart. Rather, in the “washing of feet”, Jesus did more. He gets up from the table to demonstrate first and foremost His Love for his Apostles. The ritual of washing the feet for Jesus was a gesture of love and a lesson on  humble ministerial service.  “If I, then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you” (Jn 13, 14-15).  Note  too, that even prior to the Eucharistic mandate: “Do this in memory of me”, Jesus insists: “… that  you also should do as I have done to you” . This is not ritual but reality which introduces us to the person of Christ. It is here, at the washing of feet that the High Priest sets himself up as a Paradigm of ministerial Priestliness and Gospel Leadership.

Our present Holy Father, Pope Francis, a faithful and exemplary Vicar of Jesus Christ is a proactive Leader with a Gospel vision incarnated in concrete gestures, such as washing the feet of men and women of different religions at the Maundy Thursday service. Francis wields power, but as ministerial service. He believes and lives “collegiality” within the Church and with all Nations, Cultures and Creeds. Pope Francis is indeed also a prophetic “Dissenter” who talks and walks in the footsteps of his Master. His fundamental option for the poor and his solidarity with the marginalised, makes him speak out passionately when the need arises. His love for the Universe urges him to gently, yet fearlessly, confront  global issues of our ‘common home”; the miserable plight of refugees and migrants; the inhuman violence and the urgent need of God’s mercy to transform the world. Pope Francis’love for the Church is seen in his personal prayerful and ascetical life; his unsparing commitment to his pastoral responsibilities to foster unity among Christians; to clean God’s temple, marred by sin and scandal and ultimately, to lead all nations on the path of mercy to the peace of the Kingdom.

The Church lives in difficult times but we remain hopeful  that the Gospel leadership of the Risen Jesus Christ, who gave his life for his sheep is becoming more and more visible in our Church leaders and must remain so. Like the Master whose Priestly ministry led to sacrifice on a cross, Church leaders will encounter much suffering and rejection. But then, the grain of wheat must die in order to be a source of life. This is the ‘zeal for Thy House’ which consumed Jesus Christ, our eternal High Priest. This quality of zeal must transform the clergy into Christ-like leaders, in these changing times. The washing of feet must be more than a symbol, the praxis of humble service and sincere love which always  precedes, accompanies and follows the sacramental ministry of every priest, the “Alter Christus” for changing times.

Bro. E.C.Joseph

Brother Joseph Chowry RIP (10^th. July 2016)

Though the curtains are drawn on the life of Bro. Joe, a Salesian Coadjutor, his artistic talents and many technical skills still remain with us in the  furniture  products and metal works he has left behind to benefit several Salesian communities of Mumbai, Goa and Gujarat. They remind us of the original creativity and the edifying spirit of hard work of Bro. Joe. Though the machines he worked with were loud and noisy, Bro. Joe himself came across as an unassuming and quiet but professional trainer of technicians. He will be remembered with respect and gratitude by many of his past pupils  in Panjim and Sulcorna(Goa),  Borivili(Mumbai) and Chhotauddepur(Gujarat), who are earning their livelihood in the technical field. 

I will remember Bro. Joe, whom I knew at close quarters, as a very warm and sincere person. All through the years, as a Salesian,  Bro. Joe’s life style remained simple and his personal needs were very few. His workshop was his chapel and obviously, he regarded work as worship. He appreciated honest friends and kept his distance from those he considered “survivors” or “hypocrites”. Beneath his external reserved behaviour, was a heart that cared for the poor and showed concern for his confreres. I remember, with a touch of emotion, that it was Bro. Joe who gifted me the first safari suit for my travel to East Africa. In the latter part of his life, he began to take interest in the Sacred Scriptures and became an avid reader of Barclay’s commentaries. Infact, from then, Bro. Joe developed his own brand of spirituality expressed in enigmatic phrases which found their way to the community noticeboard. I will remember best and reflect often on his statement that Jesus wants us to be CHRISTians and not CROSStians. Quite a deep truth!

May Christ Jesus, in whom Bro. Joe believed and lived in a unique way, his Christian faith and Salesian commitment, embrace him with his merciful love and lead him to the joys of heaven.

-        Tony D’Souza sdb

Saint Mother Teresa

            " Saint Mother Teresa"

Whoever said: to live with the saints in heaven is all honour and glory, but to live with the saints on earth is quite a different story, must be talking of pseudo-saints. Mother Teresa who will be canonised by  the Holy Father in September, 2016, to me was certainly no such pseudo saint, as few biased critics make her out to be.

My first personal contact with this holy nun was in 1975, at the Mumbai airport. As I walked through security into the departure lounge, I saw quite a crowd of passengers standing in awe and gazing at a lady who was seated quietly all by herself. As I got closer to the scene, I recognised Mother Teresa in her blue bordered white sari and her simple wooden handle shopping bag.   Something within me pushed me to approach her and I did. With a slight smile and a welcome nod of her head, she seemed to welcome me to a seat by her side and this I did as I introduced myself, a priest belonging to the Salesians of Don Bosco Society. Already then, She came across to me as very motherly in our brief conversation. I told her I was looking after a group of seminarians in Pune and requested her for more than an "autograph, a message for my community of young seminarians. This is what she wrote: Teach your seminarians to find joy in sacrifice. I was reminded of mama Margaret's words to her newly ordained son, John Bosco:   "Remember, to be a priest is to begin to suffer" .
Over the years, I have experienced the wisdom of these messages and shared them with others.

Her precious time permitting, Mother Teresa attended the yearly CRI (Conference of India) meeting of Major Superiors. What impressed me was that though she sat in the assembly, mostly quiet and without pretensions, her humble presence and lively interactions with the members had a formative influence on us all.

But my best memory of Mother Teresa was a spiritual retreat ( 1990 i think) I was invited to animate for the Missionaries of Charity in Nairobi, Kenya.  The Retreatants were superiors/leaders of the many MC communities in East Africa and their Foundress was to attend as well. Mother Teresa arrived late night on the eve of the retreat. She was received warmly at the airport by a small group of sisters and treated respectfully by the immigration and customs officials. However, there was one problem. The young novice from Poland who accompanied Mother Teresa was held up at the immigration as at that time Poland, a Communist country, had no diplomatic relations with Kenya. The Chief Immigration Officer could not be immediately contacted for special clearance. The Officer on duty suggested that Mother Teresa could proceed to her convent. The Polish sister, they assured her, would be well cared for while she awaited clearance. Mother Teresa stayed with the sister saying: "You have held back my daughter and I must stay with her".  The Chief Immigration Officer was finally contacted by 2am and an entry permit granted to the young novice. What a motherly gesture.

The next morning, despite a sleepless night, Mother Teresa was punctually present at 7am in the chapel, for the first meditation talk of the retreat. Infact, she participated prayerfully in all the liturgical services and listened attentively to the meditation talks, seated devoutly in the last row. Overwhelmed by her humble presence, I concluded each talk by sitting at her side and inviting her to share her own reflections on the topic. And she did so, very modestly. While I preached from a pedestal of theory, She preached from the pews and her sermons were not just words but real acts of selfless motherly love for the poor, the sick and abandoned.

Preaching in the presence of a saintly Mother Teresa whom I always held in high esteem, was quite a privilege, but also a nervous experience. And when she approached me in childlike simplicity for spiritual guidance followed by confession, my nervousness reached its climax. I just could not remember the prayer of absolution. Instead, Mother Teresa was one penitent who converted me into a repentant confessor.

At the end of the retreat Mother Teresa thanked me profusely and thoughtfully gifted me a rosary for my own Mummy. She even accepted my request to visit Don Bosco Boys Town in Nairobi the following day. Unfortunately, she fell sick with cold and fever. Nevertheless, motherly as ever, to assuage our disappointment, she sent me an apologetic regret note and a bus load of her sisters to spend some time with our poor youth.

In a world terrorised by destructive forces and hate crimes especially against women, let us resolve that the canonization of Mother Teresa will not only place her among the saints in heaven, robed in honour and glory, but inspire us all to recognise and respect God's "motherly" image in every woman who walks on our streets and lives in our homes.

May God's Word: Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers/sisters, you do unto me, ring not only in our ears but find expression in our lives as it did in the motherly life of the great 'Missionary of Charity', the Motherly Saint Teresa.