Christian Perspectives
'Adam, where are you?'
'Adam, where are you?' These are words spoken by God as Adam hides
himself from God after disobeying Him.
When a child cries out 'Mum, where are you?' we know there is longing
in the child's heart to be close to his/her mother - this outcry from
God is similar, as Adam had made a serious mistake which resulted in a
breach in the relationship of God with man. To put this relationship
right the price that had to be paid was brutal. Adam deserved a good
telling off, but the outcry from God's heart was Adam, where are you?
(don't hide from me!)
God's heart was torn apart as He longed for man to be part of Him and
continue with his relationship.
Satan had already been cast out from God's presence from heaven into
the earth. When we read the creation account of Genesis, God wanted man
to be the crown of Creation and take charge.
The Bible tells us that God wanted man to subdue the earth. The word
'subdue ' itself means that there is going to be a struggle, does it
not?
The struggle was not with God but Satan who wanted to spoil
everything that God intended as he wanted the power of God, as he seems
to forget that he is only a created being and not the Creator - so
certainly all power belongs to God the only Creator.
God created man in His image so that a close relationship with man
and God would bloom and everything will be in harmony. Right from the
beginning God wished Adam will choose right and for this reason places
the Tree of Life right in the middle of the Garden so that Adam's focus
will be on it and not on the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil
which was placed next to it. God also gives Adam a warning 'do not eat
of that tree as it will only lead to death'.
But alas! Adam disobeys and death , disharmony and a whole lot of
evil is brought with it as Adam fails to defeat Satan by obeying God
which would have resulted in man subduing the earth as God's intention
was.
Love and harmony would have prevailed as a result - instead Satan
defeats the purpose for which man was created, to bring glory to God.
Immediately God had to look for another man to fulfil this purpose.
There was no one to take that place, because the consequence of the
fall meant a sacrifice of a pure person without sin had to be made.(
Satan thought ' I got Him this time where is He going to find this
person?') Thanks be to God, that in Christ , this great requirement was
fulfilled.
God, the Son willingly steps down from His glory and whole heartedly
accepts the brutal death of an unblemished, innocent lamb of God to put
matters right - the 2nd Adam where the first one failed had to fulfil
God's purpose for the creation of man in subduing the earth and bringing
it back to God. Let me repeat God's heart cry again to you - 'Adam,
where are you? ' Life is full of choices for us humans. The reason being
that God wanted man to have freedom of choice - but unfortunately the
wrong choice meant you are on Satan's side. So, as there is no middle,(
not being for God nor Satan) we have to be careful which side we are on.
Life is a warfare - it was so even before we were created as a big
catastrophe had taken place in the spiritual world between God and
Lucifer the most powerful and beautiful archangel who had failed, and he
together with one third of the angels who supported him were cast out of
heaven to the earth.
Genesis 1:2 gives us a hint of it:-
But the earth became waste and emptiness and darkness was on the
surface of the deep. Where God exists there is light - darkness and
waste spells out judgement and judgement had taken place on the pre-adamic
universe.
Final judgement awaits Lucifer who is no longer called by the name of
an angel but Satan or the devil - but we humans are caught right in the
middle of making right choices every step of the way.
How would you define 'right choice'? It is to do what God intended
for your life and to please Him to disobey is to rebel against God. I
really cannot think of a better reason as to why there is so much evil
prevailing in our universe. The scriptures give the best explanation.
Let me just leave you with verses from the Scriptures:-
Scripture No:1
Do not love the world or the things in the world
If anyone loves the world the love of the Father
Is not in him.
For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh
The lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of
The Father but is of the world.
And the world is passing away and the lust of it
But He who does the will of God
Abides forever. 1John 2: 15,16
Scripture No: 2
Because the mind-set on the flesh is enemity against God
it is not subject to the law of God and neither can it be.
And those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
The world and all its system caters to the flesh and therefore
If we indulge in it we are in enemity to God. Romans 8:7,8.
How do we overcome this dilemma?
Roman 8: 1 says: Now there is no condemnation to those who are in
Christ Jesus
For the law of spirit of life has freed me in Christ Jesus from
The law of sin and death.
You have the freedom of choice - choose wisely.
Sunitha Sahayam
New church building at Padaviya dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual
Help
Rev.Fr. Clement Waidyasekera OMI, Oblate Provincial Colombo
Province inspecting the new building. |
The new Church building dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help at
Padaviya is nearing completion. The small Catholic community belonging
to that Mission hopes to celebrate Christmas this year in the new Church
building if they get the generous support from the Catholics living in
other parts of the country, the devotees of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Presently the offering of the Holy Mass and performance of other
religious rites and rituals are held at the temporary Chapel set up in
1986, in a plot of land, with a mission house and house for catechists
to look after the extensive area that covers the boarders of three civil
districts Anuradhapura, Trincomalee and Mullaithivu by the late First
Bishop of Anuradhapura Rt.Rev.Dr. Joy Gunawardene OMI continues to serve
the little flock.
Padaviya Mission of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate which now comes
under the Diocese of Anuradhapura was begun 54 years ago in 1954 as a
sub-station of Medawachchiya St. Joseph Church.
The spiritual needs of the emerging little Catholic flock was looked
after then by Rev.Fr.Reginald de Silva OMI until Rev Fr. Gilbert Perera
OMI took over the mission as the first parish priest of Padaviya.
Catholic families living at Buddangala, Kavantissapura, Eke Kanuwa,
Kahatagasdigiuliya coming within the Parakramapura, Kokilai,
Sampathnuwara and Welioya Kiriibbanwewa belong to this Mission.
The present Parish Priest Rev.Fr. Nilushan Fernando OMI told the
Christian Perspectives, the construction of the new building is
estimated to cost about Rs.10 million taking into account the present
high price of building materials in the local market.
He said that although the people of the area were poor peasant
families, they have promised to help raise the Church Building Fund by
contributing Rs.5, 000 each and added saying that he was very grateful
to the Catholics and other men of goodwill living in other parts of the
country for contributing their share to keep the faith of the little
live in Padaviya, though they live miles away from the Padaviya Mission.
Due to security reasons the roads are closed after 6.00 pm and people
who are mostly farmers get back home to spend the nights with
uncertainties.
Among the school going age children who help their parents in the
plots of land they cultivate to sustain themselves are brilliant
children but keep away from further studies as means do not allow them
to continue with their education.
This Church is situated at the 18th Mile Post at Padaviya which is 97
kilometres away from the Anuradhapura New Town and 60 kilometres from
Medawatchchiya. One could reach this church by traveling in buses
leaving to Sripura, Janakapura from Anuradhapura Town.
E.Weerapperuma
Lasallian Youth Day 2008 and World
Youth Day 2008 - a resounding success
Sri Lankan Lasallian delegates headed by Brother Pravin Vaz FSC from
St. Benedict's College, Kotahena accompanied by Brother Roshan FSC from
Diyagala Boys' Town, Ragama, Tyronne Perera from St. Benedict's College,
Suren Perera from De Mazenod College, Kandana and Kingsley from St.
Xavier's College, Mannar (a Lasallian Institution) were full of praise
and admiration for the meticulous preparation and excellent execution of
the elaborate plans for His Holiness Benedict's visit to Australia,
which had been a resounding success.
Like the Lasallian Youth Day all the other religious congregations
too had their respective Youth Day in Australia to coincide with His
Holiness Pope Benedict's visit. The Lasallian Youth Day was held in
Melbourne and its theme was the same as that of the World Youth Day
'Receive the power, the Holy Spirit shall come upon you and you shall be
my witnesses'.
There were 550 Lasallian youth from the four corners of the globe. On
the opening day the eucharist was celebrated by some Lasallian old boy
priests from New Zealand at the performing arts centre. The keynote
address was given by Michael Carr on the 'Challenges of the Youth'.
The following day representatives from all the religious
congregations gathered at the Federation Square in Melbourne for a peace
march organised by the Oblate youth. It was followed by 'Lasallian Focus
Sessions'. The first one on 'Lasallian Vocation' was given by Bro. David
Hawke FSC, General Councillor for PARC (Pacific Asian Regional
Conference). This was followed by a presentation by the students of the
La Salle University of Bethlehem on 'Education under occupation'. The
Lasallian Youth Ministry was presented by the La Salle Brothers from
Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Towards, the evening the
youth listened to a talk on the 'Rights of the Child' by the Australian
Brothers. This was followed by various interviews with the Brothers from
Australia. The youth were free to ask any question on current problems
of the youth in the world, especially in Australia. At the Eucharist,
Brother Thomas Johnson Vicar General of the De La Salle Brothers and
Brother Michael Broughton FSC from Malaysia addressed the youth. The
following day the main speaker was His Grace the Archbishop of Palestine
Rt. Rev. Msgr Elias Chacour. The entire programme was animated by a
renowned charismatic activist Mr. Jesse Manibusan from USA which was
really enjoyable.
There were more than 1,300,000 pilgrims awaiting the arrival of the
Pope. Everyone enjoyed the carnival atmosphere, the youth yelling on top
of their voices Benedict! Benedict! Vivail Papa! Vivail Papa! Long live
the Pope!
Like Christ appearing in a boat on the sea of Galilee to address his
disciple His Holiness Pope Benedict (XVI) appeared in a boat at the
Sydney harbour. There was a seething mass of humanity to accord to
rousing and cordial welcome to the pope.
Furthermore, there was an open air Way of the Cross starting from St.
Mary's Cathedral Sydney and ending at the Sydney harbour. There was also
a pilgrim walk through the main streets of Sydney for the evening vigil
with His Holiness from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. which terminated with the
recitation of the Holy Rosary.
On the final day there was the festive Eucharistic Celebration by the
Pope at the Randwick Race Course, Sydney which was filled to capacity.
His Holiness graciously blessed with city of Sydney and the whole world!
All in all, it was a resounding success.
Dr. Baptist Croos FSC
Jesus the Rabbi, model of teachers
A tribute to the teachers
The Catholic Teachers' Day was celebrated on October 5. It is
appropriate to reflect on the model of our teaching life: Jesus the
Rabbi. May this research article be a tribute to all who have looked up
to Jesus as the model of their teaching career. The fond memories
treasured of all my teachers in schools, colleges, seminaries and
Biblicum (Rome) are renewed in gratitude, as I pen it down.
He spoke to us through a Son
God initiated and maintained during Old Testament times a special
revelation in fragmentary and varied ways through the Prophets - i.e.
all those through whom God spoke. But in this final messianic age, He
revealed His saving purpose through one who is His Son, the climax of
His revelation: "In times past, God spoke gradually and in many ways to
our forefathers in the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us in a
son..." (Heb 1, 1-2)
Jesus the Rabbi
As God began to speak to His people through His Son, they addressed
Him honorifically as Rabbi (Matthew 19, 16). He taught like a rabbi. He
preached the coming of God's Kingdom and the consequent need for all
Israel to repent. To hammer home His message, He employed many forms of
speech from the wisdom and prophetic traditions of Israel such as
beatitudes, woes, oracles and parables. In particular. But Jesus behaved
at times like a nonconformist rabbi. He cultivated practices contrary to
common rabbinic custom. For example, He initiated the call of His
disciples and attached them permanently to His person; He easily
approached women, included them in His travelling entourage and taught
them willingly. Further, He acted out in His own life the loving embrace
of a God welcoming sinners home through His table fellowship with the
religiously lost or marginalised which could have put Him in a constant
state of ritual impurity.
As a Jewish rabbi, Jesus basically affirmed the Law of Moses as God's
Will. But He rejected any casuistic fragmentation of God's Will into
countless petty commandments and ritual observances. Reflecting the
apocalyptic idea that end-time corresponds to primordial time, He sought
to radicalise the law by reaching back to God's Will in creation and His
original purpose in giving the Law. At the same time, He sought to
internalise it by reaching into the human heart to purify the front of
all action. This radicalisation of the Law either deepened the thrust of
the Law (for example, the equation of angry words with murder or of
impure thoughts with adultery: Matthew 5, 21-22.27-28) or rescinded the
letter of the Law (for example, the prohibition of divorce in Luke 16,
18; of oaths in Matthew 5,33-37).
Greeted with astonishment
This teaching career of Jesus as a Jewish rabbi amazed His people.
"And when the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many
hearing (him) were astounded saying, "Whence (are) these things to this
man? And what (is) the wisdom, given to him?" (Mark 6, 2). When He
returned home after a preaching tour, shock and scandal greeted Him. Why
were the fellow Nazarites overwhelmed?
(To be Continued)
Fr. Don Anton Saman Hettiarachchi,
St. Aloysius' Minor Seminary, Colombo.
Parishioners greet Parish Priest
To Rev. Fr. Preeya Jayamanne Parish Priest St. John the Baptist
Church, Nagoda, Kandana and Dean of the Kandana Deanary celebrates his
43rd Birthday today
"Please accept our sincere thanks for all what you had done
Really we are happy that within this short time you had come
Every effort you took to make every one feel the Godly touch
Every little act of yours which helped us to love you so much
Yahweh blessed and helped you to make us happy and gay
All at Nagoda wish Rev. Father a very Happy Birthday"
Parishioners of Nagoda, Kandana.
Feast of St. Jude, Indigolla
S. B. Dissanayaka-Gampaha group corr.
The feast of St. Jude, Indigolle will be held on October 26 presided
by Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, Archbishop of Colombo.
The festival high mass will be at 8.30 a.m. There will be services at
4.30 a.m., 6 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 11.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Catholic Missionaries and indigenisation of the Church
.... continued from last week
W.T.A.Leslie FERNANDO
It was during the Dutch times that Gokkola was introduced for the
Palm Sunday. The European missionaries during the British times could
not understand or appreciate what their predecessors had done to set up
an indigenous Church. They introduced Western forms and practices and
the cultural adaption of the Oratorians were superseded. As a result the
Catholic Church in Sri Lanka went back to the Western outlook.
In 1940s, when the administration of the Church began to be
indigenised their was a national renaissance. the pioneer of this
resurgence was Bishop Edmund Pieris, who wanted to make the Church in
Sri Lanka a thing of the soil. With this end in view, Bishop Edmund
Pieris edited and presented many works of Fr. Jacome Gonsalvez.
Passion Plays based on the traditional model, and Catholic Nadagams
like 'Raja Tunkattuwa' were all performed under the inspiration,
guidance and patronage of Bishop Edmund Pieris. It was Bishop Edmund
Pieris who introduced plaintive chants on 'Thevram' style at funerals
instead of Latin choral singing.
Following the initiative taken by Bishop Edmund Pieris, others like
Fr. Marcelline Jayakody Fr. D. J. Anthony, Fr. Moses Perera, Fr. Joseph
Adrian, Fr. Henry Rodrigo, Sunil Santha, J. K. S. Peera, Douglas Perera
and Tharsee Warnakulasuriya produced outstanding religious art, literary
works and hymns that contained both Christian traits and national
outlook.
When the Vatican Council II (1962-65) directed that Catholic rituals
should be performed in national languages and in an indigenous cultural
background, the Church in Sri Lanka was already geared to the situation,
so that the changes could be effected without much ado. However, there
is a tendency among some who have been influenced by Western thought to
discard our wholesome Catholic cultural values that have stood the test
of time. There are some who suggest to do away with the traditional
passion shows saying that they are an useless emotional exercise and an
anachronism to present age found only in Sri Lanka.
On the other hand there are some who introduce extraneous concepts in
the name of enculturation. At time fantastic performances are displayed
in churches without due regard and respect for the dignity and holiness
in the service. To some cultural adaptation means lavishly imitating
Buddhist and Hindu concepts and practices.
There are attempts to introduce Bopath decorations to churches. There
is a statue of Christ in front of St. Peter's School in Negombo in Hathi
Mudra wearing a Buddhist yellow robe. If this is indigenisation, our
Catholic priests too as followers of Christ should wear the yellow robes
instead of the cassock!
There are some who want an indigenous theology for Sri Lanka.
Christianity is God given and not man made. It is universal,
transcendental
and supracultural. Christian doctrine cannot be changed to suit
different times and different countries. We cannot categories it as
Western theology, Eastern theology, Indian theology, Sri Lankan theology
or Eskimo theology.
Religion is a powerful force in the formation and development of
culture. A religion cannot be taken in isolation without the culture
that emanates from it. The Christian culture may intermingle with the
native culture in a country to give the Church in that country a
distinct outlook. In Sri Lanka too for the last 500 years, the Church
has evolved a culture of its own.
In the process of indigenisation what we should attempt is to bring
about a synthesis between Christian forms and indigenous culture. The
Church in Sri Lanka witnessed a magnificent form of cultural adaptation
under the Oratorian priests during the Dutch times.
As Bishop Edmund Pieris vividly puts it "We must catch up the strand
where the real craters of Catholic-indigenous synthesis had left it and
develop and enrich it to suit modern times and conditions."
(The writer is a former High Court Judge and Vice-President of the
Newman Society Alumini Association)
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