THE SEASON OF CREATION

I was particularly happy this year as September 1st dawned and the Season of Creation took off.* Being part of many initiatives related to ecology and Earth Rights, I was drawn by a sense of joyful longing and started planning activities around the event. What was not planned, however, was the two-minute silence and reverential attention that I led my catechism boys into as we waited in the corridor to get to our classroom from the previous class. It was the first time in so many years they had paused to look at the lovely green area around them. I was glad I could lead them into it.

My joy was short-lived because by evening, the continuous rains in Delhi-NCR had caused an upheaval. News from surrounding cities about the loss of crops and destruction that farmers were facing hit me. The fury of nature was on full display in my neighbourhood and in my country at large, too. Landslides and floods, loss of lives, loss of homes, waterlogging, chaos, and whatnot! I started ruminating on the fact that, truly, nature is unpredictable and has the dual side of being a force of destruction, death, and damage alongside beauty, glory, and life. I also felt with a bang that all we are witnessing is the consequence of our actions and the way we have ourselves spoiled and plundered our Earth to make it into an unruly force. Now we are not in sync with the rhythms of our biosphere and land and water. And this is because we failed to respect the greatness and giftedness of Creation. We will have to pay the price of this failure - and all of us will have to suffer. We will crib but are are we justified?

I guess the path could be accepting the invitation extended to us by this Season of Creation - awareness, reverence, careful consumption, prayer, and just actions to protect and work for renewal of this beautiful planet that is our home and mother. I will try and I hope this has a ripple effect on at least those I know. 

TEMPTATIONS IN THE PROMISED LAND

Temptations are part of life. We tend to think that they come to those who are weak. Or even to us when we are in crisis or solving a major issue or problem. However, strangely, they do creep in when we are the strongest in spirit and in the Promised Land of God's love and abundance. We know we are following the call of his love. We experience the pleasure of doing God's will. We listen to the promptings of our spirit that encourage us to endeavour, launch out, be strong and be faithful. We have overcome various trials and fought many battles to reach this place of love and presence, surrender and victory.

However, in the midst of this, we are gripped by fear of what is our destiny. We are consumed by longings for the things and people we left behind. We long for that which others have. We feel compelled to prove ourselves, break out of boundaries and climb the ladder of self-worth. Voices propel us to move in the direction contrary to the land of grace and presence of God's love. These voices that coax, allure, seduce and contradict all that we had learnt from the Spirit. We are consumed by ourselves and the passions and indecisions of our soul. 

At other times we are bogged down and feel despair and are broken. We are haunted by our failings and weaknesses. We are grieved at the thought of what we have lost and regret our life. We are hounded by voices of discouragement and hopelessness. We want to be consoled by someone and look around but find no one. We are alone.

Then strikes the Tempter. He wants us to accept his offer of vocation, self-worth, love. This is temptation - to forget who called you and for what. This is temptation - to forget who you are in God. This is temptation - to return and give in to the voices of the world and the Tempter. He would have us do something rash, to walk out on God, to take extraordinary steps of false courage. The deception is that we can do everything without God and at our command!

At this time, we can be like Jesus and say - It is written...that..

I am the Beloved.

I am more than a conqueror.

I am the ambassador of God.

I am called to be the head and not the tail.

God is for me.

I will not fear.

In God is my trust.

I will not be put to shame.

I will lack no good thing.

I will build and plant.

I am his prophet.

I am not alone.

I will wait for the deliverance of the Lord...for he is my hope...

This temptation to withdraw from the realm of love will happen...but blessed is he/she who endures to the end...for they will experience New Life in God. We need not run away from the Promised Land of Love. We must fight the enemy and succeed. We can. We will. In his name. Amen

A DAILY PLEDGE

Today there will be struggles, problems, crises, setbacks, disappointments, hard work, tough situations, tougher people, and various opportunities for losing my temper, being harsh, getting frustrated....BUT...I will remember to be thankful to my God who is with me and loves me. I have to be his ambassador by being confident, cool and composed. I will be patient, calm and understanding. I infact choose to forgive in advance all who may knowingly or unknowingly hurt me. I refuse today to be agitated, disturbed or harsh. I will be sober and kind, just and merciful. I will do all the good that I can and to all I can. I will use every opportunity to further the Kingdom of God (love, joy, righteousness and peace) in the lives of those whom I will meet. I will love at any cost and maintain peaceful relationships. My attitude will be of gratitude. I will listen more and speak less. I will not be rash in my judgement or partial in my dealings. I will be honest, happy and hopeful. I am free to be God’s beloved child and I will glorify my Maker through my words, deeds and thoughts. I will help others also to be all that they should be – God’s Beloved Child. Amen.

BEATITUDES FOR TODAY....

1) Blessed are you when you are rejected by men, for the Lord accepts you.
2) Blessed are you when you lack goods and wealth of this world, for the Lord will provide for you.
3) Blessed are you when what rightly belongs to you is taken away, for the Lord will recompense double to you.
4) Blessed are you when you do not set your hopes in the people and things of this world, for the Lord will recompense you.
5) Blessed are you when you are betrayed, for the Lord will show his faithfulness to you.
6) Blessed are you when refuse to be negative, slanderous or cruel with your words, because the Lord will give you his own words to speak.
7) Blessed are you when you are poor and weak in any area of your life, for the Lord will be your helper and strength.
8) Blessed are you when God is your ultimate and sole priority and pleasure, for the Lord himself will take pleasure and delight in you.
9) Blessed are you when you are crucified for the sake of love, for then you are like the Lord who died for you.
10) Blessed are you when you choose God above all because in front of all men and even angels, God will choose you.
11) Blessed are you when people revile and criticise you for doing good, because the Lord himself will reward you.
12) Blessed are you when you love unconditionally without any boundaries, for the Lord’s own loving heart will love you.
13) Blessed are you when you are unafraid to take risk for the kingdom of God, for the Lord himself will protect and guard you.
14) Blessed are you when you can smile in your pain and hopelessness, for the Lord’s divine will will be perfected in you.
15) Blessed are you when you love charity and kindness, for the Lord will make you a channel of blessing for others.
16) Blessed are you when you can hold your peace and refuse to be angry, for the Lord’s own calm and serenity will surround you.
17) Blessed are you when the attraction of this world does not seduce you, for the Lord will let you experience heavenly joys in this world and eternal life forever.
18) Blessed are you when you have the courage to defend the helpless and speak for the voiceless, for the Lord will use you to be his ambassador in this broken world.
19) Blessed are you when the house of God is your home, for the Lord’s presence will forever pervade you.
20) Blessed are you if you have been found by God, for now the Lord will raise you and make you new.
21) Blessed are you when you humble yourselves, for the Lord will exalt you.
22) Blessed are you when the cares and worries of the world do not bog you down, for the Lord’s peace will raise you.
23) Blessed are you when you have nothing, for then the Lord can give you everything especially his own self to you.
24) Blessed are you when you care for this world, for the Lord gives you abundantly of his own kingdom.

LOVE NOTES

It is no secret that I enjoy my kids (two teenage nephews). They are my joy and delight. However it is no cake-walk to be with them always. Sometimes they make me happy with their hugs and kisses and at other times I find myself shouting and screaming at their naughty games and little mischiefs. Most of the time we are at peace- playing games, watching TV or surfing through FB. At other times, we cannot see eye to eye! It’s really funny actually to see us interact as even our serious discussions can sometimes turn into heated debates and arguments. However, the underlying current is deep affection and love. It is often unsaid and unexpressed but always understood – like a hidden pact or treaty! I am amused because often when I am busy or caught up, I find myself remembering their lovely faces amidst my hectic work schedules and outings and smiling at the very thought of them. I love it when they wait for me, dote on me, smother me with their bear-hugs. I feel such a deep love and attachment to them that I enjoy every little thing that I do with them – sitting on the sofa with them, or watching them study or play, or listening to their (sometimes fancy, made-up) daily updates and reflections – it is also so refreshing, joyful, lively and lovely! I think I could never trade it for anything in this world. And as I pray and reflect on our relationship, I feel overwhelmed by such emotions of a deep, strong love that I have never known. I feel that this has to be from God for it is beautiful. The Bible says those who can love, know God. I am sure God is there present powerfully in our relationship. Moreover, somehow I feel God is loving my kids through me and also me through them. This is how God works for us, through us and in us. Moreover, God also loves us this way – crazily, attentively, personally, minutely and oh so, ecstatically! I wish we could all love God and love each other. This world would be heaven!

DIFFERENT THOUGHTS

These days I often like to imagine what would be the thoughts of God!! Preposterous as it may seem it is a refreshingly amazing exercise for my soul. Most of the time I end up being pleasantly surprised too because I realize that somehow thinking HIS thoughts sets me free from many foolish trappings and wrestlings of this world. For instance, when I feel hurt or offended and want to get back in revenge, these God-thoughts help me to see that God would not do that! I am led to divine forgiveness. Sometimes when all looks confusing and crazy around me, and I feel trapped, these God-thoughts help me to see the goodness and beauty that is hidden in the mess that frustrates me. I am led to a divine peace. At other times, when I am weary and bogged down by interior struggles and wish to give up, these God-thoughts help me to see his marvellous plan even amidst the sufferings that besiege me. I am led to a divine joy. Yes, I feel and realize for sure that his thoughts are far more higher and grander than mine could ever be and even if I manage to think a tweeny-weeny bit like him, I will be transformed radically! His thoughts are healing and restoring, renewing and refreshing, joyful and peace-giving, blessing and loving. When we think like him, we truly live as we should be living...simply...freed from vanities...even happily even amidst pain and calamities...and we can enjoy the journey of our life...joyfully facing the storm of life’s many harsh realities... Amen.

LOVE

We all believe that God is a life-giver. But as we grow in our knowledge and expereince of God, we will realise that he is a lover. He is smitten. He is helplessly involved. He is waiting. He is longing... for us - you and me. Jesus also said that when he spoke to Nicodemus that God so loved the world....(John 3:16) I know it feels strange because we would rather have a tough fatherly, dominating and business-like image of God. Our relationship with him also should be also matter-of-fact, give and take. This is the idea we grow up with. He is up there!! High and lofty, mighty and oh so unreachable!!! But actually this is not even an inch of the image of God that Jesus reveals in the Bible. Here we meet a God who laughs with children, cries for his friends and eats with the outcasts. We see (in Jesus) a God who cares, heals, consoles and provides. Strange and yet appealing to people like me who have grown up with the 'fear' of God! Actually God is love and he loves us unconditionally. I am happy with this knowledge because it sets me free to be myself - broken, confused and sometimes a downright mess! I know he will not give up on me and will pursue me till the end. I want to give in and love back. And yes, I sense his happiness because my heart just missed a beat!!