Thursday, July 30, 2020

Be Creative always!!!!!!!!!!



My Novice Master of happy memory Fr. Remigius Sequeira would always tell us during the weekly conference that you need to be creative in every area of your lives. You can be creative in prayer, meditation, relationships, gardening, singing, etc. One day during my spiritual talk I did ask him how would I become creative. He surprised me with a smile and said that I need to believe in my potentialities and capabilities. Once you believe in your ability you already make things happening and you begin to understand that you have power and energy within you that will transform anything that you lay your hands on. A wonderful piece of advice that I have never ever forgotten.

I used to think that I am called to live my human life in a nice, orderly, and morally right way, but once I began to practice what my novice master told me and the universe around me changed for the better. I am not called to be just living life like others but I am called to be living it in a fruitful and creative way. The purpose of my life is to be creative, to make something that others don't dare to do it. we develop things that will go a long way to make the earth safe and sound, we develop not for being famous for the good of the others. That is how we have had inventors, scientists, etc who spent days and nights in developing that would change the fate of humanity.  

If we pause a while and look back to what we have been doing what we do, we realize that we are always creative, making, and developing something. once we realize it we love doing what we do. Sometimes we don't understand why we do those things which have a positive impact and influence on us and the others. we are always making and re-making, making something always new. 
Our Mothers in the kitchen are always making something new or cooking something different to make the family happy. she spends time learning or bringing those cooking talents out every day by making something new and her mind is active and creative working always to see the good of the family members. 



Let us look at the administrators, animators, parish priests, leaders, etc are always thinking for the better administration and good of the institute that they are heading. Their aim and goal are to live legacy by being creative and re-shape the present situation into a better reality so that the future generation will befit tremendously.  They do all this with full passion, strengths, mind, and spirit. Once they have created something that others haven't created, there is a sense of pride and achievement that no one can give them. They are proud of their own creation. they are radical in creating and presenting to the world. For creating something they go about collecting, learning, gathering, and forming it for the good of the society. They look at the world around them with new perspectives and vision because they feel part of the new order and situation of which they are part. They see something of them in it which has the smell of their enthusiasm and dreams.

I have met and encountered married couples and families who have had ruptures in their relationships. most of them call it a day. throw up arms in the air and give up on the building and re-creating the relationships. they just don't wanna do anything to have the relationship going. I have always advised and counseled people to say that we have talents and passion to remake and recreate anything that is broken or ruptured. what we need is to listen and look at the issues from very close angles. We don't listen to the spirit that within us which is creative and there are inner urges which are just waiting to make our relationships wonderful and beautiful.

 Use all the capabilities that we possess and use them to create a  new world of relationships and emotions. The brain is always wanting to be creative but we got to follow it and block it with anger and prejudices. Let us be hungry to be creative for oneself and others. Teach others to be creative and explore, figure out, and fascinate with new ideas and opinions. Be a source of innovation in every area of life. Our ability to shape and re-shape many things in our lives should not go waste or go along with us to the grave. The cemetery should not be the richest place on the planet but our world. 



We all have a share of suffering and pain in life!!!!!!!!


The rich and poor all go through pain and suffering, losing dear ones, losing business, properties etc...these moment are very tough and trying....can lead us to loneliness and depression....some weak people destroy themselves either growing in liquor, smoking, drugs,, or even killing themselves. But mentally, emotionally and physically tough people face these tragedies in life. They learn lessons for themselves and pass on or communicate these messages to others for their benefits....because they too have similar experiences...life is no a bed of roses...so be spiritually, emotionally, mentally fit....physically fit to handle these situations.


It is human and divine to bring to people's day to day life, personal knowledge,, and experience of tragedy or sufferings and pains gone through. We can help the community when they go through terrible things in life and we can boost their resilience power in them. Our experiences can prepare them to face the challenges they would face in life. 

We think that our whole world is come down when we lose our dear ones. The friends and relatives also keep reminding us that everything is lost and we are on verge of destruction, their words and attitude some times increase our grief and pains and this keeps knocking every now and then on the doors of our lives. It disturbs our peace and lessens our resilient power to face problems and move on in life. This can lead us to go through a mental illness like denial depression, loneliness.  We may feel like victims and powerless when things go wrong and awry and the constant reminders of our negative experiences by the others. 


We need to be mentally and emotionally strong to undertake a journey of hope and expectations, allow oneself to be an active participant in grief, pain,, and suffering. Learn to navigate through tough moments and times only through self-confidence. It is possible when mental and emotional health is strong, one can really handle the pain of loss. Mentally and emotionally strong people become resilient people and learn to accept that suffering and pain is part of life...when the tough time comes strong people never say why me....why it happened to me....but accept that this is part of our life....sufferings are accompanying us
We need to choose carefully and realistically responses to these tough moments, we cannot do things that might change what has happened but it is good not to notice negative responses and emotions but positive emotions and responses. These responses should become part of our lives so that in the future we can be ready to handle any grief.....in short be a resilient person always...


There are threats around us like war, COVID, sufferings, social injustice, corruption, inequality, terrorism,, and our mind is always preparing to give responses to these negative situations but don't get drowned into in these threats and fears....but fight out.....choose life and not death.....light, and darkness..focus on what still you have,...build on them...turn your focus on those wonderful things that you possess to grow....think positively each day.....show gratitude and happiness...depression goes away....grief does not disturb us...
find a positive language that helps us.....

So let us ask often ourselves questions about what we are doing...how we can improve what we are doing to overcome grief. sometimes grief and pain not addressed properly can disturb us...harming ourselves by remembering those negative experiences....feed yourselves with positive experiences.... so question our acting and thinking, doing and planning...does it help or harm us....be resilient....be willing to be positive...we all have moments which are terrible which we never wanted or anticipated in our lives.....thinking like this may not remove our pain but it does help...possible to live and think about the past experiences.

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Good Bye to La Verna Fraternity...........

Yesterday after 17 months of happy and fruitful stay in La Verna Community, I moved away to Mumbai. It was a wonderful experience with young friars....their enthusiasm and spirit made me young and vibrant once again......Most of the times in these 17 months I was out either for classes or retreats.....but the fraternity was understanding and supporting one.....
 The stay in La Verna got me involved in the vegetable garden, kitchen and even looking after finance for a brief time in place of absent Br. Suhas who is held up in swiss.....in kitchen I tried everything and it came out very well....the brothers liked and enjoyed the dishes prepared by me....
 Saturday evening brothers organised a moment of recreation in honour of Br. Wilson Gaikwad and me....it was very enjoyable and fraternal evening...
 Brothers sang and acted skits......it was hilarious acts and melodious songs

 On Sunday morning I celebrated the holy Mass and preached the homily along with Br. Wilson G.
 Afternoon was the farewell :lunch......it was sponsored by Mr. Shakil our contractor....it was biryani ....
 The friars enjoying  the program
 Br. Rector was very generous in his words about us.....he thanked us for the services rendered in the community...

a mimicry and shaireey moment by Br. Julius..

 First year theologians.....enacting a skit
 Br. Brijal was at his best as MC.....he did a very good job
 Second year brothers singing a song.....Chalte Chalte mere ye Geet yaad rakhna
 Br. Wilson G....expressing gratitude.....

 welcoming Br. Amrut, Parish priest and Guardian of our close by community at Pimpri...he is very generous to La Verna
 May St. Francis Bless La Verna Fraternity


Thursday, July 23, 2020

We Don’t Walk alone!!!!!!!


Jesus walked along with the sinners, sick and under privileged ones. He gave them feeling of being accepted and loved. All these men and women always felt that the Lord was walking along with the saviour and redeemer of the world. 

Don’t ever lose hope. Even when life seems bleak and hopeless, know that you are not alone. Nancy Reagan

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in light. Helen Keller

But unfortunately, these men and women were feeling alone, lonely and rejected by their very own relations. They were thrown out of love and understanding shield and circle of the family. They fell down in brokenness and darkness, no one of their own looked and showed compassion and mercy.


 In their loneliness, they felt that the world of theirs had crushed and crumbled down. There was no one to tell them that they were not alone but others were in there along with them, they were supporting and loving them….we will not abandon you……I know it is a huge urgency to be with you in your bad moments….i know your identity has been crushed and I am here to uplift it…give you a feeling that you are one of us…..you are wanted and loved…..i will bring out the newness from you….you are not alien but known to my heart and mind…


Life is not what you alone make it. Life is the input of everyone who touched your life and every experience that entered it. We are all part of one another. Yuri Kochiyama
Knowing that you are not alone really does make all the difference in the world. 

·        

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Lessons Learned During the Ongoing Pandemic!!!!!!!!!




Where there is a holy habit and attitude of donating and giving oneself and the material things, there is never a want or lack of property, money and material things. Where there is human teaching and human values are respected and honoured, there we will find many good humans who are willing to make humanity as the only religion that speaks, does and goes beyond the horizon. 


In our childhood as well as in our old age we do celebrate our birthdays’ as gift of God, it has now become part of our lives, enjoy the gift of life with full freedom and contentment without harming or hurting anyone, rest leave it in the hands of the Lord and to our fate and destiny…..the flowers in the night do not know whether they would end up in the Church on the altar or in the cemetery in and on the coffin….let us remember this every day…


In life those who respect you and takes you along, please respect, honor and love him….we have a lot of people who are very good to respect you but they will have a ulterior motives…there are chances of misunderstanding increasing rapidly then we hear voices which is not our voice but someone else’s voice…


Human heart is one of the biggest and most beautiful Church and temple, don’t trust the face of who always smiles and laughs but trust and believe the in the heart of the one who smiles…..because very few people have such a loving heart


To keep and maintain relationships we do not need sweet voice and beautiful face, what we need to maintain these relationships is the beautiful heart, mind and soul….the most important is the unbreakable trust and faith in each other….


Life is short and in this short journey of life we meet few people who treat and respect us well, thank and express gratitude towards them every day, those who treat us badly, speak negative about us, who spoil our names, criticize and spread rumours are the ones who should be forgiven without any condition and cost. 


In the history of humanity we have read and heard about brothers fighting among themselves and killing each other, some brothers did not support each other in times of crisis and war, have lost the battle, some brothers worked always together and the end result was a huge mighty victory. When there is pride among brothers the family is disturbed and broken, sometimes we question why this Pride and for what? When we know the negative results….so let us be brothers and be a family….as brothers we can make a history…..family never be divided


Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Happy Feast of St. Bonaventure, Patron of our Maharashtra Capuchins!!!!!!!!



   St. Bonaventure is known as the Seraphic Doctor because he truly possessed the Franciscan spirit; he was eventually chosen as the minister general of the Franciscan Order to help revive within the community a deep love for Franciscan spirituality. 
·       “Among the great Christian figures who contributed to the composition of this harmony between faith and culture Bonaventure stands out, a man of action and contemplation, of profound piety and prudent government.”

·      Bonaventure lived in the 13th century, which was a powerful time for the Christian faith, in which it penetrated society and influenced many works of literature, theology, and philosophy. 
·      Bonaventure’s letters, explaining why he chose to join the Franciscan Order: I confess before God that the reason which made me love the life of blessed Francis most is that it resembled the birth and early development of the Church. The Church began with simple fishermen, and was subsequently enriched by very distinguished and wise teachers; the religion of Blessed Francis was not established by the prudence of men but of Christ.
·       “We may certainly say that the whole of Bonaventure’s thinking was profoundly Christocentric.”
·      When Bonaventure was elected as the Minister General of the Franciscan Order, his main goal was to unify the Franciscan movement and to rekindle a love for the Poverello, their founder, St. Francis. 


·      Bonaventure emphasized (and indeed, even lived himself): “Francis is an alter Christus, a man who sought Christ passionately. In the love that impelled Francis to imitate Christ, he was entirely conformed to Christ.” 
·      Bonaventure’s message to us Franciscans to understand, that we too were called to be “another Christ” and conform ourselves completely to him. 
·      Bonaventure wanted the Franciscans to invite Christ to live within their hearts, so that they could more fully live out their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and preach the Gospel joyfully to all individuals. 

·      During Bonaventure’s time, an error arose within the Franciscan Order. A group called the “Spiritual Franciscans” radically followed the writings of Joachim of Fiore, who interpreted the whole of history “as a history of progress: from the severity of the Old Testament to the relative freedom of the time of the Son, in the Church, to the full freedom of the Sons of God in the period of the Holy Spirit.” Bonaventure saw this as a grave misunderstanding of St. Francis’s mission, and therefore intensely studied the works of Joachim of Fiore, so that he might work to correct this error within the Order. From this study, Bonaventure developed a remarkable understanding of the history of the Church. Bonaventure rejected Joachim’s Trinitarian rhythm of history, saying instead, “God is one for all history.” He also affirmed that “Jesus Christ is God’s last word; in him, God said all, giving and expressing himself.” This means that God has revealed the Church as she is, and there is nothing more “new” to be revealed that is not already present in revelation.

·      Bonaventure’s idea of progress in history was innovative in comparison to the Church Fathers. 
·      “Christ was no longer the end of history, as he was for the Fathers of the Church, but rather its center; history does not end with Christ but begins a new period.” 
·      Bonaventure was not attempting to reject the Church Fathers, but rather, in St. Francis, Bonaventure saw that Christ could bring newness to the Church and that Christ’s riches are inexhaustible. 
·      With Christ at the center, there is the possibility for us to discover more deeply the treasures that he has given to us in his Word. It is because Christ is one that we are able to discover newness in the Church’s teachings and traditions.

·       “Christ’s works do not go backwards but forwards.” Moreover, we cannot at any point say that the Church is “completely new” and all of her traditions in the past are obsolete. 
·      the newness of the Church, “What would the Church be without the new spirituality of the Cistercians, the Franciscans and the Dominicans, the spirituality of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross and so forth?” 
·      Through Bonaventure’s theology, we come to a new understanding of spirituality within the Church’s history: the movement of the Church is always forward, with Christ at the center and at the end in the Beatific Vision. 
·      Bonaventure came to these truths through a deep devotion to Christ in prayer. He modeled for us how to “learn at the school of the divine Teacher,” and we ought to follow his example. The desire for refreshing the mendicant orders in the 13th century can inspire us as we seek to refresh, or re-evangelize, those who have fallen away from God.
·      The goal of worship and the goal of creation as a whole are one and the same—divinization, a world of freedom and love. 

·      But this means that the historical makes its appearance in the cosmic. The cosmos is not a kind of closed building, a stationary container in which history may by chance take place. It is itself movement, from its one beginning to its one end. In a sense, creation is history (p. 28).
·      Just as the Church is not stationary, so too the cosmos is not static, which is the creation of God and the place where the Church exists. Creation and worship are both oriented to God, and both are moving toward a final fulfillment in him. 
·      “All time is God’s time. When the eternal Word assumed human existence at his Incarnation, he also assumed temporality. He drew time into the sphere of eternity. Christ himself is the bridge between time and eternity” (p. 92). 

·      As such, Christ is at the center of man’s redemption
·      Bonaventure’s emphasis on renewal in the monastic tradition makes him an appropriate saint for our times, especially for the New Evangelization, because it is so necessary in our times to help ourselves and others refocus on Christ as the center of our lives and the universe. 
·      While Christ is the “end goal” of all creation in a certain sense, he is also at the center of salvation history—he wants to unite himself to us in our heart and be our “center.” As 

·      With Bonaventure, we can therefore pray, “How wholesome it is, always to meditate on the Cross of Christ.”