Globalisation of indifference

 Has a selfish attitude of indifference taken global proportions? Yes, it's a reality. We are unconcerned about a lot of things. We are unconcerned about others. When lent season is on the way, this globalization of indifference is a verity that should be causing distress among many of us.
 * When people are being persecuted in the name of religion in countries like Syria, Iraq and many African nations, we are mute spectators.
* When people die of poverty in many third world countries, we are unconcerned and live in luxury.
* There’s a lot of injustice and inequality around us but we are not bothered.
* Rich-poor gap is widening in many countries. While rich is getting richer and richer, poor remains poor.
* We're unmoved when churches in Europe and other regions remain empty and people turn away from God.
* People are increasingly losing the sense of sin and the Kingdom of God.
  This selfish attitude of indifference is the theme of Pope Francis’ Lenten message this year. This attitude is self-serving and inward-looking. “Usually, when we are healthy and comfortable, we forget about others (something God the Father never does): we are unconcerned with their problems, their sufferings and the injustices they endure… Our heart grows cold. As long as I am relatively healthy and comfortable, I don’t think about those less well off. Today, this selfish attitude of indifference has taken on global proportions, to the extent that we can speak of a globalization of indifference,” he says.
 A report by charity group Oxfam recently said the richest one per cent of the world’s population will have more wealth than the remaining 99 per cent by next year. Oh my God, can you imagine the plight of a lion’s share of this “99 per cent” category?
 According to the Oxfam report titled “Wealth: Having It All and Wanting More,” the share of global wealth owned by the richest one per cent has increased from 44 per cent in 2009 to 48 per cent in 2014 -- a trend that will eventually lead to the richest owning over 50 per cent of wealth by 2016. Moreover, the study found that the richest 80 people in the world now own the same amount of wealth as bottom 50 per cent of the population. This clearly is a case of inequality and points to the alarming widening of rich-poor gap.
 On the other hand, internal strife, communal wars and religious intolerance are rising across the world. Many nations in the Middle East and Africa are facing major internal issues. 
  Pope’s advice: it is a problem which we, as Christians, need to confront. “One of the most urgent challenges is precisely the globalization of indifference. Indifference to our neighbour and to God also represents a real temptation for us Christians,” Pope says.
 This is inimical to our spiritual health. It leads to a throw-away culture and an economy of exclusion.

 According to apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, just as the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” sets a clear limit in order to safeguard the value of human life, today we also have to say “thou shalt not” to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills. How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points? “This is a case of exclusion. Can we continue to stand by when food is thrown away while people are starving? This is a case of inequality. Today everything comes under the laws of competition and the survival of the fittest, where the powerful feed upon the powerless. As a consequence, masses of people find themselves excluded and marginalized: without work, without possibilities, without any means of escape,” it says.

 While globalising trade, markets and economies, we also globalised the selfish attitude of indifference.  

 Flooded with news reports and troubling images of human suffering, we often feel our complete inability to help. What can we do to avoid being caught up in this spiral of distress and powerlessness? “First, we can pray in communion with the Church on earth and in heaven. Let us not underestimate the power of so many voices united in prayer! Second, we can help by acts of charity, reaching out to both those near and far through the Church’s many charitable organizations,” he says.
  Lent is a favourable time for showing this concern for others by small yet concrete signs of our belonging to the one human family. He says the “suffering of others is a call to conversion, since their need reminds me of the uncertainty of my own life and my dependence on God and my brothers and sisters”. If we humbly implore God’s grace and accept our own limitations, we will trust in the infinite possibilities which God’s love holds out to us. We will also be able to resist the diabolical temptation of thinking that by our own efforts we can save the world and ourselves, he says.
 Yes, lent is a time of renewal for the whole Church, for each communities and every believer. Above all it is a “time of grace” (2 Cor6:2). God does not ask of us anything that he himself has not first given us. “We love because he first has loved us” (1 Jn4:19). He is not aloof from us. Each one of us has a place in his heart. He knows us by name, he cares for us and he seeks us out whenever we turn away from him. He is interested in each of us; his love does not allow him to be indifferent to what happens to us, Pope summed up his Lenten message.

In the name of a saint...

 As the vehicle decorated with a brilliant display of electric illumination and the procession of hundreds of faithfuls wound their way up the hill, it was a sight to be seen. Many of the faithfuls were reciting the rosary. While many others just walked sombrely, some  youngsters were chatting away to glory on their mobile phones, most likely WhatsApp. When the procession, concomitant with a band set, was about to enter the church, a brilliant display of fireworks started and the sky was lit up with a multitude of colours. The church and the shamiana were embellished with colourful flowers and fancy clothes. After the church services, there was dinner for everyone.
 They were celebrating the feast of St Sebastian, who was martyred during the Roman emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians around 288 AD.
 "Your celebration should not be restricted to grand display of procession, band set and fireworks. Celebration of feasts should be an occasion for our sanctification. They gave up their lives to proclaim their total faith in Jesus Christ," the priest reminded the believers.  In short, he was referring to the outward show of splendour and opulence, and the ignorance of what saints like St Sebastian stood for and why they died for Jesus. Celebration of feasts has become a superficial spiritual trapping. 

  Hey, what’s going on? People in Syria and Iraq are being persecuted and killed for proclaiming their faith in Jesus Christ. When terrorists come with guns and bombs, do we have the courage and conviction to say, “I’m a Christian, I will die for Him.”
 Celebration of the feasts of saints is very common in Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in India, one of the Eastern churches under Vatican. Feasts of St Sebastian and St George are celebrated with much fanfare and cacophony. In many places, priests and even bishops tried to make such occasions a solemn and sombre affair and bring down the superficial grandeur. They tried to add more spiritual dimension, but the faithful didn't budge. St Mary's Church, Nakapuzha, which is under the Kothamangalam diocese of Syro Malabar Church in Kerala, India, celebrated the feast of St Mary four months ago. While the five-day charismatic renewal service by reputed preachers drew only less than 300-400 people daily, the grand procession on the penultimate day of the feast was attended by 15,000 people. 
 In many places, celebration of feasts has become an occasion for the public display of wealth and influence. It's a field day for those seeking to be seen as successfully organising and managing affairs. Many of the faithful even forget the fact that they are supposed to ask the saints for mediation but they pray directly to these saints for favours and blessings. They forget the universal and fundamental fact that all blessings and grace come from God. Saints can only intercede for us before God.
 There's also a delusion among some people that if you don't please the saints with gifts or offerings some mishap will occur. "Some people present fowls to church during the feast of St Antony out of fear that the saint will send a snake to bite them otherwise," said a priest.
 Why do we celebrate the feasts of saints? Should we celebrate the feasts of saints? Yes, celebration of a saint's feast is perfectly fine. Vatican's official book Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) says, "by keeping the memorials of the saints -- first of all the holy Mother of God, then the apostles, the martyrs, and other saints -- on fixed days of the liturgical year, the Church on earth shows that she is united with the liturgy of heaven. She gives glory to Christ for having accomplished his salvation in his glorified members; their example encourages her on her way to the Father."
 According to CCC, when the Church keeps the memorials of martyrs and other saints during the annual cycle, she proclaims the Paschal mystery in those "who have suffered and have been glorified with Christ. "She proposes them to the faithful as examples who draw all men to the Father through Christ, and through their merits she begs for God's favours," CCC says.
 That said, we prove again and again that we're not behind anyone in diluting the faith a la the firends of Eleazor in Maccabees. The story of Eleazor in 2 Maccabees 6:18-31 should be an eye-opener to all those who are wavering in their faith. There was an elderly and highly respected teacher of the Law by the name of Eleazar, whose mouth was being forced open to make him eat pork. But he preferred an honorable death rather than a life of disgrace. So he spit out the meat and went willingly to the place of torture, showing how people should have courage to refuse unclean food, even if it costs them their lives. Those in charge of the sacrifice had been friends of Eleazar for a long time, and because of this friendship they told him privately to bring meat that was lawful for him to eat. He need only pretend to eat the pork, they said, and in this way he would not be put to death. But he refused any deception and was killed. Will we stand firm like Eleazor?
 “Let us assimilate the intense faith that saints proclaimed. Even if we have to become martyrs like many saints, we must have a firm conviction that we won’t lose our uncompromising faith,” said Rev Fr Shibu Pulickal in his message at a feast celebration in a Mumbai church.

 We must venerate saints, but don't worship them. When we venerate saints, we can't go overboard. Let it be a proclamation of the Paschal mystery.

The great walk to Emmaus – foundation of Holy Mass

Sheena George

 Emmaus is a small town located about seven miles from Jerusalem. We are very familiar with the Bible passage that narrates the walk of two followers of Jesus from Jerusalem to Emmaus. This episode is an eye-opener in the real sense.

  Bible explains how two of the followers of Jesus were discussing about the happenings in Jerusalem associated with the death of Jesus. They might have  talked about the capture, trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Although Jesus joined them as a stranger, they couldn’t recognize Him. Jesus explained the scriptures about Himself.

 The mystery now unfolds. At the end of the journey, Jesus agreed to stay with them. At the dinner table, Jesus took the bread, blessed it and gave to them. Their eyes were opened suddenly and they recognized Jesus. “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” says Luke 24:31-32.

 This event shows us clearly that reading, studying and meditating the scripture alone cannot reveal the fullness of Jesus to us. But as we receive sacraments He will reveal Himself in totality. The Church offers the sacraments through which we are able to abide in Him. Theologians say that this encounter between Jesus and the two followers and the breaking of bread at the dinner table constitute the fundamental structure of the Mass.

 Early believers – people who followed the teachings of Jesus soon after his crucifixion – followed it. The point to note is that followers of disciples only recognized him during the breaking of the bread. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,” says Acts of Apostles 2:42-46 written by Luke.

 But my Protestant brothers have different interpretations and explanations. It’s a futile exercise to argue with them on this count as New Testament was twisted by some of them to suit and support their explanations and arguments.

 According to the Catechism of Catholic Church (CCC). the liturgy of the Eucharist unfolds according to a fundamental structure which has been preserved throughout the centuries down to our own day. It displays two great parts that form a fundamental unity: the gathering, the liturgy of the Word, with readings, homily and general intercessions; the liturgy of the Eucharist, with the presentation of the bread and wine, the consecratory thanksgiving, and communion.

 The liturgy of the Word and liturgy of the Eucharist together form "one single act of worship"; the Eucharistic table set for us is the table both of the Word of God and of the Body of the Lord. The Church has celebrated Mass with fidelity over the last several centuries. It continues.

TEN NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

By Thomas Mathew

It's the beginning of a new year again. It's time that we reflect on the way forward. The big question is: how should we handle our life? A life closer to Jesus is what we should strive for. When we seek Him, we get the answers for many things. We also get an idea how to manage our lives. Here are ten new year resolutions for a life in and with Jesus. These may look very naive initially, but certainly not. Happy new year.

1. Start daily prayer: If you're not in the habit of having daily prayers, please start it. Pray one rosary at least on a daily basis. But more the merrier. That's what Jesus has told us. But, like the disciples did when Jesus went to pray, we sleep and waste time. When we pray, we get protection, blessings and grace from our Lord.
2. Go to Mass daily: If you have a church in the neighbouring area, please go for Mass every day. Otherwise, make an effort to attend the Mass at least two or three times a week. This practice will bring us closer to God. Not only that, you need to strictly follow and take sacraments prescribed by the church.
3. Tithing: Please earmark one-tenth of your income to God every month. It can be in the form of offering in the church, funding church activities and charity work etc. God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7) In Malachi 3:10, God says, “test me in this... will pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
4. One confession every month: Priests and theologians say one confession a month is essential for a Christian. This will help in avoiding sinful life, seeking repentance and forgiveness. That too without any compromise on what constitutes a sin.
5. Caring for homeless and poor: After all the prayers and tithing, if you ignore the cries of the poor and oppressed around you, it's meaningless. We need to take care of them. There's no doubt about it.
6. Become a prayer warrior: Pray for yourself and others. The Ten Commandments are a vital part of the gospel. Our Lord summarised it into two principles – love for the Lord and love for our fellow men. Pray for orphans, sick, homeless, oppressed and against persecution regularly.
7. Attend retreats and prayer services: If you can attend a Charismatic renewal retreat once in a year, it will be big booster tor you spiritually. Besides, make it practice to attend the adoration or other services in your church once in a week.
8. Join the parish: We need the protection offered by the church. Don't restrict yourself with individual prayers and activities.
9. Involve in evangelisation: There're many people who still haven't heard about our Lord.Each person can do a little bit of missionary work on a regular basis. There're several ways: going out and speaking about Jesus, writing about our Lord and even by helping missionaries in their work. In case you're able to bring ten persons to God every month, you will get a reward in heaven.
10. Read Bible daily: For your spiritual nourishment, reading one chapter or some paragraphs of Bible daily is essential. The Word of God is life. If you can learn two or three quotations by-heart from Bible every week, it's great. If you can read the books of saints and theologians, it will enrich your spiritual life.