Being orthodox, legalistic, ridiculous!

Yesterday in the crisis intervention class, one of the hot topics for discussion was around spiritual traditions. There are so many spiritual traditions around, and to think that there are so many people benefiting from many of them is amazing. Many of these run counter to my own professed beliefs. Can a Christian believe in Shaman, for example?
Well, I have ridiculed Christians who go to tarot card readers and astrologers. I would think it funny when I see people coming for communion with so many rings with colorful stones on their fingers. But somehow I don't have the same reaction to those who believe in reincarnation or karma theory. I think what matters most for me is whether there is a consistency in your belief.
During the lunch break, over a slice of pizza at the students lounge, I had a good discussion with Christoph about meaning and significance of these rituals. The immediate stimulus was Crissy's faith in Shaman, but the background is our ongoing discussion about my lack of regard for the laws of the church about rituals and rules about liturgy. I was trying to tell him, how, for me, the experience of a person is something unquestionable. Something may go against my logic and reason, but I am still willing to give it a try.
While we were discussing this, Crissy herself joined us and shared with us her own experience of meeting this Shaman. It was surely a tough decision for her and completely against her own reasoning, but the result was completely stunning. If you know the tree from its fruits, she has no reason to reject Shamanism as illogical. Well, what can we say?
Christoph's point is valid. How can I, as a Catholic priest, subscribe to things that go against the teachings of the church? Well, I don't go against the church teachings, but I do believe that there is wisdom and truth even beyond the boundaries of the church.

Busy days

I know I have not posted anything for quite some time now. The last couple of weeks have been pretty busy with readings and assignments and also many visits. It is kind of difficult to take time out to reflect on something. The days were pretty good, especially the meeting of the Jesuits in special studies. I was the main celebrant this time, and after the sharing we went to an Indian restaurant for dinner. All enjoyed it.
The classes are going fine too. I think I have got into the way of things now. Interaction with class mates has reached a new level and I am very happy about that.
So long. I shall try to post something more frequently.

Nobel peace prize for Obama

A couple of days ago, at the breakfast table somebody mentioned that Obama is a candidate for Nobel peace prize, and I remarked, he would probably get it posthumously. And in the evening the news came that he indeed won the prize. This is incredible. Frankly, for me, this is degrading the value of Nobel peace prize.
Obama has surely made a lot of news in the recent past. He is popular, charismatic, and he is a visionary. But does that qualify him to be on par with Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela? What has he DONE to deserve it, apart from well articulated speeches and colorful promises?
I am so surprised that the Nobel committee could not find any other deserving candidates. Does that mean that there are no credible efforts to build peace around the world? Or does it show that the developmental work and the struggles against oppressive regimes in different parts of the third world are no more a concern for the committee? I am so depressed.
I should admit that Obama was humble and gracious in accepting the prize. But I see it as a great burden on him. My concerns are not about Obama, but about moral power of the Nobel prize. I think it should serve as the voice of conscience of a peace loving world, and should reach out to those who really struggle to build peace and reconciliation and democratic values. I think the committee has failed in that.

Bye bye Omena

After traveling all the way to Omena, I got to spend their just one day and two nights. Can you believe it? Well, I enjoyed my stay up there. The weather was very good. The scenery was picturesque. I also could do some work there. But traveling back was quite tiring, I don't know why. In fact we took much less time to travel back than we took to get there.
I would have stayed there at least one more day if I did not have an appointment with Tom, my counselor this evening. And after reaching here when I opened my university post box, he has canceled the appointment because of some death in his family. I am quite depressed. If only I had checked the mail while in Omena, I would still be taking a good walk on the woods there. Well, you can't have everything.
Now, back to work. It is not such a good idea. But I am tired. Let's see what we can do.

Feast of Francis Assissi

Today is the feast of St Francis Assissi. At the mass in the morning I said this: I started my journey into priesthood as a diocesan. Then I read the story of Ignatius Loyola and fell in love with him and joined the Jesuits. Later I read a book about Francis Assissi, and I thought, if I had read this before I read about Ignatius, I would have joined the Fransiscans. All laughed.

Well, what I read about Francis was not really a book, but some reflections by Boby Jose in a Malayalam book about the book, "God's Pauper". Those stories were fantastic. Then I watched a couple of movies, "Brother Sun Sister Moon" by Zeferreli and "Clare and Francis". Both these have influenced me tremendously. I would recommend these to those who are looking for a spirituality to live.

Francis was surely a man ahead of his times. He understood the value of humility and simplicity. His love for the poor was not just romantic, but very practical. As Arrupe said, what is easier than falling in love with God. Well, we don't find it so very easy because we are too caught up in our small ego struggles. Francis fell in love with God. And he realised that only one thing was necessary. He chose the best part, and it was never taken from him.

I wish I could be a romantic like Francis. To throw myself into the arms of God with complete abandonment. That is spirituality.

Wow Omena!

Reached this beautiful in Michigun last night. We had to drive the whole day, starting at 9 in the morning and reaching here at 7 in the evening. Well, we didn't actually take 10 hours, since we are a time zone behind Chicago. We lost an hour, but we will gain when we will go back.

It was a long drive, and we missed the way because we had to take a detour. We must have lost more than an hour like that. Anyway, the trip was fun with Andrew, Cristian and Francis. Last night we didn't have much to do. Had dinner and then I worked a little on the paper for Diane. Then went to bed.

This Sunday morning, we had a nice mass. I was the presider and it was in a chapel completely made of wood. It was very cold, but the scholastics were very helpful. I really enjoyed celebrating it. After the mass we I went around the campus and to the lake with Andrew, Carlose and Cristian. Took lot of pictures. This place is really beautiful. I should post some of the pictures on Facebook. May be later.

I will go back tomorrow morning as I have an appointment with Tom, my counselor in the evening. Otherwise this would have been a nice place to spend a couple of days more. I can get some work done too. This room is better than my room in Chicago. I should not fail to come here for the next holidays too. The only problem is that it is pretty cold. But inside the house it is warm.

Olympics goes to Rio

What an anticlimax. For days the front page discussion on Chicago papers were, whether the 2016 Olympics will come to the city. Today was the eagerly awaited verdict. And the winner is.... Rio. My Caribbean friend Cristian is visibly happy. He thinks it is high time Latin America got its share of glory. Chicago's gain is Rio's glory.
Well, I don't want to take sides. I am happy that Brazil is getting a chance to revive its nationalism and economy. On the other hand, I am sad that the efforts of Chicago did not find much success (I hear that Chicago was out in the first round itself!). But, what if Chicago was chosen as the next Olympic venue. I am sure there would have been a lot of development in terms of infra structure and facilities. But the price to pay for that? We already have a huge traffic jam to get into down town, almost every morning. If there is a special program like the Winfrey Oprah, then the traffic goes absolutely crazy. We would have to put up with a lot more if we had to find room for Olympic preparations. Aren't we happy that we are out of the trouble?
Well, let's not say that we didn't do well. Our event managers did their best, but it is the time of Rio. Let's wait for the next chance, but in the meantime, let us try to improve the lives of our citizens.

Meeting new people. It's beautiful

Met and talked with Mr Sibbernsen this evening. It was a nice conversation. I am supposed to accompany his as his spiritual reflector as he goes about his ministry as an Ignatius Volunteer Corps member. But talking to him, I wondered if I had the spiritual depths to accompany this man of enormous experience and great wisdom. It was an exercise in humility, but he was extremely humble himself. We need to take this friendship forward. We have already planned a timeline.
Earlier in the day, after the mass at the Terry Centre, I stopped to talked to two ladies who frequent at the mass there. I was thinking that they were working at the university, but they are not. Working at a dental association. Extremely nice people, and both of them had many nice things to talk about my homilies. I was very pleased. One of them invited me to a charismatic prayer group which meets on first Fridays. I thought of going today, but I couldn't because I had mass at Wright hall.
Another great surprise is talking with Tracy at the class. At first I took her for the typical Yankee character, showing off with money and charm. But I realise how mistaken I was. She is so genuine and such a good Christian. Talking to her about meaning of life was really meaningful. It makes me realise my own meanings goo.

My stay in America and my commitment to the poor!

Last night I called up Sr Tessy to wish her on her feast day. She was happy. During the conversation she mentioned that Shiju went to see her. I was happy to hear about Shiju because I have no news of him for a long time. Well, I was also wondering how Shiju would react to the fact that I am in US for studies. Would he find it a watering down on my commitment to the poor?
Well, it looks like he did. It seems when Tessy told him that I am in US, his reaction was, "Eh, he went to serve the poor and now enjoying in America?" I am not really surprised, though I think I am a little hurt. I am not sure it is really a hurt or a feeling of guilt. Did I do something wrong by coming here? I do enjoy my stay here and the comforts American life offers. And it really looks like a watering down on my commitment to the poor. But I am not here just to enjoy these comforts. I am here for a mission, and it is to prepare myself for a ministry that I believe would ultimately help me in my commitment to the poor. I am not going to stay here to enjoy this life, but I am quite sure that once my study is over I will be back to where I come from.
I know that Shiju is doing a great work, and I appreciate his commitment. But surely our lives are different. I surely share his concerns, but not his life style. My temperaments and gifts are different from his. I think that is the only response to his astonishment. I have not really watered down my commitment; in fact I am here because of my commitment, because my Provincial has sent me. Right now my commitment is to do my study well, so that it reinforces my commitment and my work for the poor. Ah, I feel better.