Religion
 

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on February 11

CELEBRATION: Sri Lanka Catholics will join the world in celebrating the 149th year of the apparition of Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the Saviour, to a 14-year-old peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous, on February 11, 1858 at the Grotto of Massabielle, near Lourdes in Southern France.

Virgin Mary appeared 18 times from that day to July 16, of the same year and her message concerned the necessity of prayer and penance for the conversion of the people.

According to what Bernadette narrated later, she had seen the most beautiful Young Lady of 16 appearing from the woods smiling with her and joining her praising the Lord at the end of the each decade of the Rosary,Bernadette began to recite.

The Church authorised devotion under the title ' Our Lady of Lourdes' and Pope Leo XIII instituted the feast of the apparition to February 11. In 1907, Pope Pius X, extended this to a feast of the Universal Church.

In Sri Lanka there are a number of Grottos erected to remind the devotees the apparition of the Blessed Mother and to invite all to pray for the conversion of the world and in a very special manner for Sri Lanka which longs for permanent peace to live in unity and harmony with all communities calling this country 'my land of birth' and my country.

Several churches dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes will celebrate the feast on February 11. Kimbulapitiya Church will sing vespers on February 10 at 7.30 pm presided over by Colombo Archbishop Rt.Rev.Dr.Oswald Gomis and the festive High Mass on February 11 at 8.00 am will be sung by Very Rev.Fr.Susil Silva,Vicar General for the Colombo North Region.

On the 10th after the vespers there will be a Candle-lit procession moving to the mountains reminding the appearing of Our Lady at the grotto in the woods and there will be a Mid Night Holy Mass officiated by the Bishop of Galle Rt.Rev. Dr. Herald Anthony Perera.

There will be Holy Masses from 6.30 am and 7.00 pm after the 4.00 pm procession. At Kala Oya Church the festive High Mass on February 11 at 7.00 am will be sung by Anuradhapura Bishop Rt.Rev. Dr. Norbert Andradi OMI.

At Kadolkele, the Church dedicated to the Risen Lord will celebrate the feast with festive High Mass sung by Very Rev.Fr. Ivon Perera, Vicar General of the Western Pegion.

There will be Holy Masses both in Sinhala and Tamil at 12.00 noon and at 7.00 p.m. The Holy Mass will be offered by Bakthi Prabodhanaya Editor Rev.Fr. Justin Silva OMI and this will be followed by a procession. Churches at Raddolugama, Piliyandala,Dampe and Kalutara will also celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

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Jesus of Nazareth: the honest and perfect man

L. V. Cabral

JESUS OF NAZARETH: Diogenes the Greek philosopher strolled the Athenian market area at high noon with a lantern replying to inquires that he was searching for a perfect man whom he had never found.

Overhearing the philosopher's allegation a cynic remarked if the philosopher were to walk with a lighted lamp at high noon or at night in Judea in the middle East, he would have come across the perfect honest man, named Jesus of Nazareth.

What kind of a man was Jesus?

Until thirty years Jesus was at home helping His parents. Thereafter He went to a lonely place in the desert and spend the time meditating in solitude. Then He came back and started the public ministry bringing the people nearer to God.

He travelled through Galilee and Judea preaching the significance and supremacy of the kingdom of God while performing several miracles. This way of preaching was diametrically different to that of Jews preachers who mainly dealt with the principles and ideals of the old Testament.

Jesus never preached the masses with hell-fire or emotional tactics. He used the figurative language based on parables to create interest, spark imagination, educate and inspire the listeners.

Further, he used sowing, fishing, harvesting, pearls, flocks of sheep, a vineyard all from the local surroundings. (Mathew) In his dealing with the apostles and the public He always manifested love, compassion and charity. (Mark) What a wonderful world it should be if all follow the principles and ideals of Jesus?

God almighty had sent Jesus to the world as a beacon of light to lead mankind to the father. When Jesus performed many a miracle including raising of Lazarus to life, the crowds followed Him by thousands, disregarding and disrespecting the places of worship of others. Then the religious opponents of Jesus plotted to kill him.

At the age of 33 Jesus was arrested and after a mock trial, His enemies obtained the verdict to crucify Jesus, thinking when Jesus died, His teaching too would disappear. Thus the only perfect, wise and honest man ever lived in this world was put to death by His enemies.

World's opinion of Jesus

A few years ago a famous essayist wrote anonymously; Twenty long centuries have come and gone and today He is the Counter piece of the human race and the leader of the column of progress.

I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever were built, all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned put together have not affected the life of man upon the earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life, Jesus.

The latest addition of the Encyclopedia Britannica gives twenty thousand words to Jesus and not even hint He did not exist - more words, by the way than are given to Aristotle, Alexander, Cicero, Julius Caesar or Napoleon Bonaparte or Emperor Asoka. Jesus gave history a new beginning. On every land He is at home.

His birthday is kept across the world. His death day has set a gallows against every city sky line. Jesus very often said, "come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you shall find rest for your souls. (Mathew) Jesus of Nazareth, unquestionably was the prefect, honest land wise man, the Greek philosopher was searching for but his public missionary life was curtailed by his religious adversaries.

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Power of Asma' U' Llah (Asma Ul Husna)

M.B.M. Mahir

STRENGTH OF POWER: Allah, every day I recite your beautiful names and receive the strength of its power.

In the early stage of existence Almighty Allah exalted himself by exerting His power on water. Then He decided to identify Him and proclaim His existence and His Thajalliyath - ever shining light.

He sent forth Prophets and messengers to propagate His mission from Prophet Aadam to Propet Muhammad (Sal). A multitude of such prophets of Allah preached and practised the ideology of Islam.

Allah in His Infinite Mercy informed of His beautiful names called Asma Ul Husna in the final book revealed to humanity - the Holy Al-Quran. He said so in his book.

Walillahil Asma Ul Husna (Asma' U Llah) Fadh oohu biha" (8:180) "Allah has beautiful names, request Him by those names"

The Holy Quran further says:

"Allahu La Ilaha Illahual Asma U Llah"

"There is no one worthy of worship except of Allah and He has beautiful names".

In Surah 'Hashr' Allah says, "Lahul Asma' U Llah, Yusabbihullahu Mafissamawathi Wal Arl"

"He has beautiful names, heaven and earth glorify him".

Thus we observe the significance attached to the recitation of Asma' U Llah (Asma Ul Husna) and the merits derived by its cantillation. The holy Prophet of Islam said, "Inna Lillahi Tha ala Thisathan Wasiththeena Isma, Man Ahsaha Dhakhalal Jannah Wafee Rivayathin Man Hafilaha".

"Verily all mighty Allah has ninety nine beautiful names. One who preserves and practises it is sure to enter heaven. In another narration the Prophet said one who protects it enters heaven"

Elaborating on this the Prophet said all the good qualities of Asma'u Llah (Asma Ul Husna) has to be inculcated in action by the Ummath as those divine qualities glorify humanity.

If Allah is Merciful we have to show mercy to our fellow beings. If Allah is beneficent and benevolent we also have to contain those qualities in us. The prophet further said, "Thakhallaku be Akhlakillah" "Create in your selves the attributes of Allah.

It is reported in the encyclopedia of Islam, that a question was asked to Sultanul Aarifeen Ahmed Khabir Rifai (Rali) as to whether Al Mighty Allah has five thousand names ! He replied, "Not only he has five thousand names, but more than that as the names of leaves, sand and similar minute creations of Allah bear His name.

It is also reported in the same encyclopedia that Almighty Allah has four thousand names of which three thousand names are known to Allah and His Prophets.

Of the remaining thousand three hundred is mentioned in "Thourath", three hundred in "Zaboor", three hundred in "Injeel" and hundred in the Holy Quran of which ninety nine names well known and one is hidden as the "Al-Ismu-l-azam".

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A beautiful prayer

I asked God to take away my habit. God said, "no, 'it is not for me to take away, but for you to give up."

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, "no, his spirit is whole, his body is only temporary."

I asked God to grant me patience. God said, "no, 'patience is by product of tribulation. It isn't granted, it is learned."

I asked God to give me happiness. God said, "no, I give you blessings; happiness is up to you."

I asked God to spare me pain. God said, "no, suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, "no, you must grow on your own! But I will prune you to make you fruitful."

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy. God said, "no, I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things."

I asked God to help me love others, as much as He loves me. God said, "finally you have the idea."

Courtesy: Majuban

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Hinduism for society

Prof. Pon Sakthivel

HISTORY: Hinduism is world's oldest living religion, over 8,500 years old. The Rig Veda mentions a winter solstice in 6500 BCE, confirming the existence of an advanced civilisation much earlier.

It is also the most colorants, most resilient mot peace-loving of all religions. Its roots originates in the vast Indian subcontinent, in the Indus Valley which had 300 advanced settlements as early as 5,000 BCE. The people living around the river Sindhu (Indus) came to be known as the Hindus. Also known as the Aryans, these people were local inhabitants and not foreign invaders.

There is no one single founder. Through penance and prayers, intuition and introspection. Ancient seers gained the ultimate experience of God. These collective experiences formed the foundation of the Vedic civilisation from which emerged the Hindu Dharma.

In those ancient days even China had not worked it all out practically, and even Egypt inherited much of it sacred knowledge from India. Subsequently to pass it on to Greece and then Europe still sunk in sleep. India held the palm of civilisation and soon spread it all around her.

By 5,000 BCE a sophisticated civilisation flourished in India with over 300 settlements in a belt extending 1,520 kms. Villages of mud brick houses were being built. The formative phases culminate into a cultural uniformity and single province - the Harappan culture.

The Harappan town by 3,000 BCE were well planned with Citadels and walls laid out in a grid fashion. The houses had rooms and compartments with one or two courtyards, a stair leading often to two storeys. In some places 80 feet wide the street and lanes had drains roofed in brick with regular inspection holes.

Individual bathrooms and lavatories were impressively drained into a larger system. The amazing thing is that all construction was done with baked bricks which were of a standard size - 24 x 14 x 7 cms found throughout the Indus Valley at this period. The larger cities like Harappa and Moherya-Daro probably sheltered 20 to 25 thousand inhabitants.

What makes the Hindus special is that they honour the whole of creation, see the presence of God in everything to them there are no heathens or enemies. Everyone has right to evolve spiritually and shall, at some time realise the truth.

Hinduism is liberal! it does not set man a limit of one life, but offers many lives. At the same time, Hinduism is strict, it makes man feel responsible for every action he performs through the law of Karma.

Some of the most startling discoveries of the world have been the great contributions of Hinduism to our society. Hinduism is not narrow nor fanatic. It is broad-minded and has encouraged a high level of social and scientific advancement.

The Vedas transcend recorded history, and have not been created by any moral. The vedas are the eternal truths revealed by God to the Great Seers of India.

(To be continued)

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'Religious unity vital to eradicate national disunity'

RELIGIOUS DAY: In parallel to the World Religious Day, a special event organised by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahai Faith in Sri Lanka took place on January 21, 2007 with the representation of all religious leaders at the British School of Colombo auditorium at Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 8.

Professor Tissa Vitarana, Minister of Science & Technology participated at this ceremony as the Chief Guest.

"Today religion and culture are equally important to overcome the conflict situation in our country," Prof. Vitarana said. He also emphasized the fact that religious unity is very important to eradicate national disunity, though there is no religious problem in our country.

Professor Vitarana said, through the All Party Expert Committee along with All Party Representative Committee appointed by the President should arrive at several consensuses for a political solution to the national problem.

He also mentioned that as the Chief of the All Party Representative Committee he has prepared a document containing 20 parts to be discussed by all political parties and to arrive at a common consensus."

The Minister was of the view that there is no continuance without the cooperation of the Tamil community and that a constitution which can be accepted for the unity of all races should be prepared.

This event which was full of cultural performances of all races was participated by a large gathering.