“The Wasteland grows; woe to him who hides wastelands within”

Sometime ago one of my friends sent me a few photographs with a title, “Incredible India.” The photos were speaking the reality of India in a true sense. Some were about the beautiful gardens and flowers both natural and artificial, some were about huge buildings both modern and ancient with all its grandeur and some were about the garbage dumped in the middle of the city, the burnt houses and dilapidated condition of poor people. I am not enlisting all those clips here. What made me ponder over is not the incredible development we have achieved, but the incredible potentialities we failed to achieve.

These incredible potentialities I call ‘the wastelands.’ Phenomenologically speaking ‘waste’ is that thing which is unused. It may be a byproduct or left-over which is unused or used but not fully and therefore been discarded and thrown in a dumping slot. The waste can also said to be at time ‘dirt,’ which is nothing but ‘a right thing in a wrong place’ or ‘anything out of place.’ This is the reason, there are so many innovators who make use what is being rejected by people and become ‘men of grace.’

When tribals felt the need for plates to eat rice, they plucked the leaves from the trees, sewed them together with a stiff grass petiole and the plate came to be. To drink water or rice-beer they made cups out of the leaves. It was natural to them. Today, machines are being used to make echo-friendly cups and plates. Traditional Kerala people used Banana leaf for this purpose. Later, someone came up with an innovative idea, to make plates out of Areca nut leaves which sidelined the plastic plates.

‘Wastelands’ are there in every place. It is for us to identify them and make use of them.  The more we understand and realize the need for the time, the more we understand and realize that how less we know and realize.  The less we understand and realize, the more we will be in darkness as the master said, “Why didn’t you put the money in the bank so that I may get it with interest? Therefore, take out from him what he has, give it the one that has more and throw this lazy man in the dark.”

We are all blessed with power of reason: reason to judge what is good, better and best; and reason to judge what is bad and worse for us and for whole humanity. We are endowed with dominion: a dominion to care take the other as stewards and shepherds. Only we have the unbridled freedom to be what we ‘ought to be.’ It is only we humans have dogmatic and conceptual approach to reality may be philosophical or theological. But, are we responsibly using these ‘wastelands?’ There are some people who felt and are feeling the need to be used and hence we call them ‘prophets’ and indeed they are. Are not all called to be so?

For some people the issues like, poverty, development, literacy have become the ‘golden egg laying ducks' and therefore they nourish it. For some, though they are endowed with power of reason are unable to grasp the pulse of it. Take the example of new BPL strategy: those who earn 32 Rupees per day are ‘Above the Poverty Line.’ The question is, can those people who formulate such laws live with thousand rupees per month in any given situation?

We need to re-define ourselves, our priorities and potentialities. We need to convert the ‘wastelands’ with us into ‘Paradises’. Woe to him thousand times who hides his ‘wasteland’ within himself.



Fr. Raju Felix Crasta

The   Play   Children   Play

O

n a fine Spring day, sitting in my outhouse was watching my neighboring house children Tom, Dick, Harry, Aslam, Saleem, Pinky and Rinky, all below ten years of age, playing in the playground besides the lake. As I was watching them, Harry may be out of some misunderstanding kicked little Pinky, the youngest of all, on her back. Wreathing in pain, Pinky started weeping. I was curious to know not the reason of Harry’s misbehavior but the reaction of the other children. Something beautiful happened then. Forgetting their play, the roles they were performing, all rushed towards Pinky to console her. Then a miracle happened. Within a few minutes, the yelling, weeping, sobbing, gloomy faces vanished. All started smiling and laughing. Pinky forgot her pain. All began to play another game.

As I was watching this, I was reminded of the Commonwealth games which Delhi hosted sometimes back. Almost all the commonwealth countries partook in it. All these countries who took part were once ruled by the British. Now, therefore, is it to ‘Unite’ all the subjugated countries together or to wipe away the scars which produced the subjugation and hence to give a touch of ‘Freedom?’  One may say, “The main purpose of Commonwealth Games is to increase economic cooperation, sporting spirit and peaceful coexistence among the participating nations” (see, Anushka Roy, “Commonwealth Games 2010: A Panoramic Overview,” http://www.articlecity.com/articles/travel_and_leisure/article_4499.shtml). It is true, that Commonwealth has become ‘Common-wealth’ or ‘profit making’ endeavor for some. The Hospitality industry, the ‘Techno-industry’ gains a lot in today’s National and International games. My concern is not this. Does the ‘Game’ really brings the ‘game-spirit’ or does it bring ‘co-existence’ in the real sense in the game the elders play?

The purpose of the games is to ‘unite’ all the commonwealth countries, to forget all the untoward feeling they have each other, to bring all together, a peaceful co-existence…. A noble cause indeed!

Spectacular inauguration programme made me spell-bound. The cultural programme depicted the unique art-craft, technology and culture of people. This was followed by the welcoming of the players. Players along with the team managers and representatives represented their respective countries with the Flags marched into the ground to a common rhythm and tune. Most of them were busy with their cameras to shoot the finest memories, some were busy in shaking hands with players of other countries, making friendship. Yes, they have forgotten the difference now! All have become ‘One!’  Like Pinky, they have forgotten their past…  But, for how long?

A question popped in my mind. Is this real game? Is this the purpose of the play? Children at the bank of the lake played spontaneously without any prejudices. No one won, no one lost. All were winners. Their play, simply came from their within. Though Pinky was hurt, she was not hurt at the end. She neither forgave Harry, nor Harry said sorry. What a contrast the play children play and the play, the elders play?

My thoughts went further as the days went on at the commonwealth games. Inauguration is now over, the game has already started. The players who shook hands for friendship are playing against each other as if they are the arch rivals. The ‘other player’ is seen as a rival, an enemy to be conquered. Not to forget, the managers are stimulating their players to retaliate and to be aggressive. More so, they are planning to defeat the other. Was that shake-hand which the players shook before the game, a shake of friendship or a shake of rivalry?

Yes, the whole world is God’s play-ground. We are here to play. But not like the play elders play at any arena. We need to play as the innocent children Tom, Dick, Harry, Aslam, Saleem, Pinky and Rinky play, without any guile. Even though they hurt, they don’t hurt, but love unconditionally. They don’t rejoice over the defeat of the other. They rejoice as a loving mother who rejoices when her son or daughter wins a race as if it is the mother who ran that race.

There is no distinction among the children whether they belong to higher caste or lower, black or white, rich or poor. All are one, all play as one family, as children of one family. Tom, Dick, Harry, Aslam, Saleem, Pinky and Rinky are all from different families, from different religions, from different cultures. Yet all are one.

Family is a play-ground where the members play. Each one has one’s own role in the game. One is a judge, the other player, third his opponent, fourth fielder, fifth supporter or usher… the list follows. Sometimes same person plays a double role or triple roles according to the demand of the game. Here too, no winner, no loser, but all win together. Thus all together build a home, a home of love.

PRAYING AS UNITED IN BODY-MIND-SPIRT

T

he Vatican has published the new revised Missal preserving the original spirit of the Latin text. As this missal is already being introduced to us, it is better to some of the signs and symbols such as standing, kneeling, sitting, genuflecting, procession, sign of the Cross, bowing, orans, prostrating, singing, praying is Unison, silent prayer etc. we regularly in touch with during our Eucharistic and other liturgical Celebrations. All these gestures and signs points to us a deeper meaning, our creatureliness before our Creator and therefore, there is a need to express our singular devotion not only with our Spirit but also with whole Body besides it helping us in greater attentiveness.

Standing

We do not welcome our guests sitting in a comfortable posture, rather as they approach we stand and show our respect. In some cultures like our Tribal brethren, we wash the feet or hands and apply oil and or Tika on the forehead of the guest as a mark of our respect. Traditional dictum behind this treatment is self-explanatory, “athithidevobhava,” the guest is god indeed. Besides this, as we do perform these acts, what is assumed in still deeper sense is our humility or humble gratitude towards that person or the act which is to be done soon. All these things can be aptly applied to the Eucharistic or Liturgical celebration. The priest is our guest and Christ is our unseen guest to whom we pay our honour and devotion to. We acknowledge the gift of life we received from Christ during the Sacrament of Baptism and our respect to him in the beginning of any Sacramental Celebration is the acknowledgment of the same. 

Kneeling

It is rightly said, “The shortest distance between heaven and earth is between heart and knee.” Knee signifies penance. In the past this meaning was so much stressed that kneeling was prohibited on Sundays  and Easter seasons as they were the time of Joy and Thanksgiving. But in the Middle Ages, kneeling came to be a sign of homage and adoration. Today this meaning prevails.

Genuflecting

Genuflecting is done by bringing the right knee to the floor. It is done to adore the Lord. Some people make the sign of the Cross along with genuflecting. Usually it is done as we enter and leave the Church or come in front of the Consecrated Body of Christ.

Bowing

Bowing signifies reverence, respect and gratitude. There are several instances during the Eucharistic celebration we bow our head. Specially during the recitation of Creed (at the words that commemorate the Incarnation), before receiving Sacred Communion, priest before celebrating the mass at the altar as a symbol of Christ’s Sacrificial Table and even during our speech as we pronounce the name of Trinity.

Prostrating

Though this posture is rarely used in the Liturgy, it has a deeper meaning and significance. It shows deep humility and willingness to share in Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. It is done by the individual fully laying facing the ground. This is more Indian as we see the tradition which speaks of AstaangaPranayama in Yogic culture as a sign of Total Surrender. This is more meaningful during the Good Friday celebration and also during the ceremony of Sacred Ordination by the Ordinandi.

Sitting

In traditional Indian gurukul system, the student sits infront of Guru to learn and meditate the Word of God. In the similar way, as the Word is read and even broken to explain to us, we reflect and meditate the Word of God. Even the silent prayer and reflection also done in this posture.

Singing

“One who sings prays twice” says St. Jerome. By singing we not only raise our hearts and minds to God but also assist others to do the same. Thus it has both individual and communal aspect. Therefore it brings sacramental presence of God to his people. Singing is not only done in melodious songs but also in chants and dialogues as in the case of Holy Mass.

Orans

The priest frequently uses this ancient prayer posture, extending his hands to his sides, slightly elevated. Orans means “praying.” It invites people to pray along with the celebrant by surrendering themselves with uplifted hands to the Lord. It also gestures Christ’s outstretched arms as he offered himself on the Cross.

Silent Prayer

“Mary pondered over what ever happened in her heart (Lk 2:19).” In the similar way, we reflect and internalize whatever we heard and received. Therefore, there must be enough time in every Liturgical celebration for this. After every invitation to prayer, after the reading and sermon and or after receiving the communion there must be a time of silence.

Praying in Unison

During the Liturgical celebration, we answer to the prayers or invitation of Main Celebrant with proper answer in one voice. This is nothing but the communitarian aspect of Prayer.

Procession

Every Liturgical procession is a sign of the Pilgrim Church or a pilgrimage where we march towards our Heavenly Jerusalem. During the Eucharist we have several instances where we take procession: the Entrance rite, Liturgy of Word, Offertory and also the reception of Communion. Since it represents our Pilgrimage, the procession ought to be done with utmost devotion, attention and eagerness. It is an experience of being one with the Lord in the heavenly Jerusalem.

Sign of the Cross

The first sign of the cross is that which most people are familiar with, the gesture with which the Catholic faithful cross themselves. The symbolism of this gesture is twofold: first, the sign of the cross asserts the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity, and second, it affirms the doctrine of humanity's redemption through Christ's sacrifice. Catholics start the gesture their foreheads (In nominee Patris), touch their chests (et Filii), and then touch the left shoulder followed by the right (et Spiritus Sancti).This gesture is seen many times during Mass and in private prayer. It may have come from medieval practices, symbolizing Jesus' coming to earth from Heaven, His descent into Hell (the left being associated with evil) and Ascending to sit at the right side of God, the Father. The second sign of the cross is that which the priest uses to bless the congregation. This gesture is also large, and is inscribed in the air in the direction of the congregation. The priest makes this gesture several times during Mass and during other rituals of the church.

As Christians, our every action, work and prayer should begin with the Sign of Cross because on ‘this sign we find our goal.’ A sign of Cross made on the forehead, the lips and heart just before hearing the Gospel make our minds, lips and heart worthy to receive the Word. Just like a burning coal cleansed the lips of Prophet Jeremiah, so too a sign of Cross cleanses our mind, speech and heart from the impurities and make us worthy to receive the Lord’s Message. The Sign of Cross also remind us in physical way the Paschal Mystery we celebrate. Therefore, it is right and meaningful to make whenever we pass by any sacred shrines.

Conclusion

The Church fosters to preserve these signs and postures as a sign of unity. We are not free to change these postures to suit our own individual piety, rather these signs give unambiguous witness that we are all belong to one flock of Christ’ Body.

Reference:

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Poona Diocesan Life, Vol. XXVIII, No. 276.