In response to a comment

Below post is in response to the comment by Uptake...since the comment section was not giving me the space...

...thanks for the link.. Was nodding my head throughout the article since she has written it all very well….everything which I could not express myself. But I wonder if your statement that Indian women never discuss spirituality can be generalized. I think they do. And maybe not often, because of the general tolerance that Indians have towards every religion.

Now, the below may not have been the reason or answer for you posting the link.. but still let me.



I have placed in italics the statements that I borrowed from her article.


 

Christianity - Indian Christianity : In search of the Christ within



Ironically, inculturation was the basic nature of Indian Christianity long before the West entered. Christianity here is believed to have been introduced in AD 52. This is when Thomas the Apostle came to Malankara, Kerala (a southern Indian State). Thomas converted many caste Hindus and established a church that, in every way save religious, was Indian.



 I come from a family whose forefathers are not recent converts and even if many want to do away with St. Thomas landing, they could not have been converted during the British times or the Portuguese. Many Hindu traditions which existed in the Church / marriage rituals continue even today. Things like getting the horoscope done continues even now among a section of Christians. This is maybe because there was a void after St. Thomas left and the Christians may have turned back to the Hindu way of life while preserving the belief in Christ or they never left the Hindu way of life from the beginning but incorporated Christianity within Hinduism.

During our recent vacation, we visited a church at Thiruvithancode in the Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu state, which is believed to be one of  7 and a half church (arappally in Malayalam language) that was built by St. Thomas. Though the visit was not a pilgrimage, but in search of the grave of Hubby's Father's brother who is buried there...once we reached there it created much interest in me especially since I found the structure very simple and in the style of a Hindu temple. We were told that there were no idols of Christ or Mary in the old building (it was placed much later) but just a simple building with an object in stone for the baptism ritual plus another object in stone to wash one’s feet before entering. Except for the roof, the structure has not undergone modification.

The Church

The structure for baptism ritual

To wash the feet



Image of Christ




Why this hue and cry over conversions then? The answer lies in the pluralistic nature of Indian Christianity. Even as mainstream Catholic churches are pulling back, Indian Christianity is being influenced by the Pentecostal believers who originated in the USA. (but in Kerala there was always a section of Christians who never entirely rejected the Hindu/Indian way of life and was always proud of their Hindu roots)





Going under names such as Born Again Christians, they practice a form of Christianity that identifies knowledge of God solely within the Biblical context. In contrast, inculturation focuses the discourse within the Christian body, not outside it.




Where Jesus meets Brahman



I was Indian whether or not a Christian. I have always loved Indian culture and tradition. I am inspired by our holistic way of life with its reverence for nature and values which emphasize giving, serving, and self-realization. They are so wise that I subscribe to them without hesitation. And for the past few years, I have moved towards a life that is Indian at the core: in values, attitudes and philosophy.  (here I do not understand how just being a Christian she did possess those values and hence had to move towards it)



I never felt that my roots militated against my Christianity. I find most of Christ's teachings resonating in the Hindu texts. And his own rejection of organized faith (he drove the moneychangers out of the temple) convinces me that He would not want me to remain swaddled by an inherited faith.





Christ not only drove the moneychangers but we read that the ones who sought ardently or lead the crowd for his crucifixion, were the leaders of the Church that existed during his time. Though I am moving away from the topic, let me say that the same happens even today in Christianity. The present Church leaders have moved away from the simple teachings of Christ and in turn may have left an entire generation and the onlookers too in confusion  :) Maybe this explains why this lady had to move towards the core values, that Christ taught in a very simple manner.






As for me, just like some Hindus, I now do not depend on organized religion or rituals. Let me once again borrow her words to explain my religion or spirituality or whatever one wants to call it..





"I fell in love with Jesus Christ. I became (am) a Christian because I found him fantastic." At the living heart of the faith is the person of Jesus Christ—a towering figure of love, compassion, and wisdom. How does one remain unmoved by his preference for the poor, the prostitute and the publican? How to remain unchanged by his injunction to love the other enough to turn the other cheek?






Hope I made some sense to you :)..

God of the faithful and the faithless

First of all let me wish every Indian a very Happy Republic Day. Let me also echo/copy the sentiments of a friend.

Wishing all my friends greetings on the occasion of the Republic Day of a prosperous, compassionate, developing India with an active judiciary, neat governance and a vibrant democracy to lead the world into the new times of change and growth accessing technology and advances in Science for the benefit of mankind, flora and fauna all over.

I shall soon be boarding the plane to let our children have some time with their grandfather (Hubby’s father) who may soon bid adieu to this world. Later, they would need to get back to their studies and their world full of promises and so also heartaches. They loved their grandfather like every other grandchild and I am not sure how they shall deal with such inevitabilites of this life. As for me, let me gather my strength and hold onto to my own faith in the Almighty. One needs it all the more at times like this.

The following is an email forward from my blogger friend and many may have read it. It is just another bid to try and convince a few who hold on to their faithlessness.

GOD
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects.
When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists."
"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.
"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving a God who would allow all of these things."
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and un-kept.
The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist."
"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked o n you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."
"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me."
Exactly, affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

Of roads, cars and faith..

This time I travelled up and down the MC road (Main Central Road) or the alternate road to the NH 47. The road is too good after it was repaired and at times it looked like an airport runway! I also discovered that the Ambassador car which once proudly owned the Indian roads have now become a rarity. I couldn't spot one even among the taxi stands. This old and trusted friend just couldn’t keep up with the changing times and I think have lost the race to the racier, sleeker ones.

Having seen almost all models of foreign cars here in Kuwait, it was easy to spot the same in Kerala too. And I think this time I spotted many of them. Yes, luxurious cars have always been a weakness to many. For the rich it is another status symbol and one which can keep them apart from the ordinary folks. I remember how my very earthly cousin brother used to tell us that his dream is to drive a BMW. I am sure he is driving one now since he holds a very good job in the UK. He deserves it since he did burn much midnight oil for his earthly degrees.


Anyway this is not really about cars or roads. This time we saw a beautiful Mercedes s-class car on the road and while we were admiring the same, we tried to have a glimpse of the proud owner.. it was a Christian priest. And if it was not enough, we saw yet another costly foreign car being driven by the same clan.

I am not saying that there is a rule that says Priests are not allowed to own or drive expensive cars but as a Christian, I am offended and ashamed.

From the pulpits they preach. They tell us mortals to give (the 75 + lakhs could have made a lot difference to the needy), not to indulge (an ordinary car can also take them to their destination), not to covet, not to be greedy , not to incite etc etc….

Now, I am not sure why I myself am indulging in a very non Christian act, i.e grumble/judge when I am sure no priest is ever going to read me. But since even they have become very net savvy one can never be sure. Hence there is just one request from this confused mortal; next time you wish to indulge in earthly pleasures, please DUMP that priestly garb for something more appropriate and the next time you stand on the pulpit, please try to refrain from PREACHING what you yourself cannot practice.

And there is another rumbling on the horizon.

Some of us are yet to recover from those scenes on TV when 2 factions of the Church had fist fights amongst a falling corpse from a funeral march. Those days, most of us like Peter  denied to our co-workers and friends that we belonged to this Church. It was too shameful.

Trouble seems to have erupted again and at Parumala where one faction already has a Church while the other is aspiring to have a new one.

Can one own a saint?

If so, Parumala Thirumeni  seems to be wholly owned by the Orthodox faction while the Jacobite faction thinks otherwise, since when Parumala Thirumeni was alive the Church was one. Now I am not sure who should take credit for the solace and blessings given to those who sought this Saint; is it the Saint himself or the Church? And since the Church encourages the weak and heavy laden to seek blessings from this Saint should they not be happy to know that they have one more location to receive these blessings?

Or shall I,  like many others with more of an earthly sense think that there is some other underlying reason for all this saintly love, be it from any faction? $$$

Anyway, let me pray that those who are supposed to be leading these Churches would for once show some heavenly sense and stop inciting the weak and confused believers who may be excused for exhibiting an earthly sense.

Picture Source: Hindu & Cartrade

The Cross

Lately I have been getting many forwards on the cross. It is mostly about the cross that each one of us has to carry on this journey of life. If you look at the meaning of the word cross in this context it says “a difficulty in somebody’s personal life that is particularly testing, troubling, or painful”.

We all have to carry our crosses and there is no escape from this. But there are many who would like to escape from this and hence resort to drugs, liquor or other quick fixes which this world currently offers. But as depicted in these pictures, these quick fixes can never help you. You may feel that you have shed your worries or your troubles but a time comes when you are suddenly woken up from the false comfort and find that there is no escape. The cross that you ought to have carried would have equipped you to move forward but you discarded it for something temporary. Some then resort to do away with their life, since they did not gain the fortitude to carry it forward.

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine, after the rain ....

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall, but God's always ready, to answer your call ... HE knows every heartache AND sees every tear,

"God always sends rainbows .... after the rain ...

Mother Teresa - Food for thought

There is only one God and He is God to all; therefore it is important that everyone is seen as equal before God. I’ve always said we should help a Hindu become a better Hindu, a Muslim become a better Muslim, a Catholic become a better Catholic. We believe our work should be our example to people. We have among us 475 souls - 30 families are Catholics and the rest are all Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs—all different religions. But they all come to our prayers."

There is a terrible hunger for love. We all experience that in our lives - the pain, the loneliness. We must have the courage to recognize it. The poor you may have right in your own family.

Find them.

Love them.

Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God speaks in the silence of the heart.

Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your own weakness.

Speak tenderly to them. Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a cheerful smile. Don't only give your care, but give your heart as well.

The more you have, the more you are occupied, the less you give. But the less you have the more free you are. Poverty for us is a freedom. It is not mortification, a penance.

It is joyful freedom. There is no television here, no this, no that. But we are perfectly happy.

Little things are indeed little, but to be faithful in little things is a great thing.

A sacrifice to be real must cost, must hurt, must empty ourselves. The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, the fruit of service is peace.

Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give them peace and joy.

I heard the call to give up all and follow Christ into the slums to serve Him among the poorest of the poor. It was an order.
I was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them.

When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her.
It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed.

You and I, we are the Church, no? We have to share with our people. Suffering today is because people are hoarding, not giving, not sharing.
Jesus made it very clear. Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to me.
Give a glass of water, you give it to me. Receive a little
child, you receive me.

Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater developments and greater riches and so on, so that children have very little time for their parents. Parents have very little time for each other, and in the home begins the disruption of peace of the world.

If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive.

God!

Does God need an introduction.. no..
Does God need any stamp of approval.. no
Does God need to be proved.. in my opinion.. no..

Then why am I writing this?

One of my blog friend has prompted me to write.

Do I believe in God.. oh YES…

I have experienced His love, care, warnings.. everything…

I cannot put down everything in writing.. but…some things never leave your mind.. specially when there was no one else to help u.

Both involved our kids…

My son decided to be a breach baby at the last moment.. during the last sonar.. this gave me warning bells and I asked the duty nurse if there would be any problem.. she tried to explain in her own way and that is when the Chief Gnec happened to pass by.. don’t know what prompted him to check.. but he asked the nurse what I was blabbering.. I took this opportunity to ask him if there is any problem.. he said there is no problem for the mother.. but a breach baby is always at risk.. I knew this for a fact since my cousin sister lost her baby thus.. during the last moments of delivery the umbilical code went around the baby’s neck and even though it was a reputed hospital with exp doctors none could save the life of the baby. After 2 girls one couldnt blame if she was waiting eagerly for a boy.. nd it was a baby boy.
Anyway after hearing me, this Doc said.. don’t worry I shall be there. I was returned to the delivery room and after some time this doctor did come. If anyone know how the govt hospitals are in the Gulf they know what I am talking about. There is no special doctor or nurse to take care of u..during the delivery a nurse will be in attendance and only in case of emergency will a doctor be summoned. And if the emergency happens to be at night.. u r doomed.
Anyway this doctor was quite old and experienced.. he just rubbed my tummy and turned our little brat around! He said now u go ahead and deliver. To me this was the answer to the prayers of my parents and Hubby’ since they couldn’t be at our side.

The second incident was the adenoid operation of our daughter. She was having a slight fever but since the date was fixed with great difficulty and our contact (a doctor) said it is difficult to get another.. he asked us to give her antibiotics.. but maybe because of the infection she started bleeding profusely after the operation.. she was whisked off immediately back to the operation table and they fixed a few gauze etc in her mouth and the end of it was attached to her cheek. I was with her all the time.. then suddenly I realized that she had chewed the thread holding the gauze.. I immediately ran to the nurse’s room and they had the nerve to tell me that there was no such packing. I was shocked and started crying.. only then they realized that it was serious. Unfortunately it was the time the doctors change duty but only by God’s grace they were able to catch a doctor. They put her on the nurse’s table itself and using forceps manage to pull the gauze out before it choked her! Now this was a miracle to me!
Oh.. there r many more incidents but it is too personal for the blog to handle!

Miracle?

This is not for those atheists....

I lost my gold bangle and it is been a week. This morning I thought about it again and hoped if someone in dire needs got it let them keep it. That was when I was walking down the steps of the flat after locking the flat, my watch dangling on my fingers.. nd as soon as I sat down on the car beside my hubby it fell down by the side of the seat. I searched for it and found something else too there! yes .. my bangle.. felt soooooooooo happy! and of course thanked God.. I am sure if I hadnt discovered it it would have been lost forever in the next car servicing day!

So I was the person in dire needs!