Christian perspectives

Moses and Ten Commandments

J.I. Rosairo

It is a story of love and intrigue - a love emanating from a Creator God and the intrigue from a heartless and cruel Egypt.

The story of the Ten Commandments, besides being fascinating, is a historical one that takes centre stage in the Books of the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

This is also a love story woven around the Creater God and the Israelites, His chosen people, nevertheless, slaves in the land of Egypt. God hearing their cries finds ways and means of redeeming them from bondage, and chooses Moses even before he was born, to lead His people. It is also a story of love and intrigue - a love emanating from a Creator God and the intrigue from a heartless and cruel Egypt.

At the time all male children were decreed to be killed or thrown into the river and indeed the mother of the babe, Moses and a Hebrew not wishing her son to be killed, places him in an ark of bulrushes and floats it down the river which action did attract the daughter of Pharaoh who happened to be washing herself at the time.

The child was rescued and taken to the palace for adoption by the princess herself.

Many years passed and Moses was living in the lap of luxury and power. If he opted to lead such a life, he would perhaps have succeeded Pharaoh himself, but God had other plans, for He had earmarked so to say, Moses to lead His people by pressurising the Egyptians and bring upon them curses after curses, which eventually led to their deliverance and the rest is history. In the meantime the israelites continued to suffer terribly so much so their cries ascended to Heaven and God having pity, commissioned Moses, now a young man waxed in age to lead His people to a land which the Lord would show.

The greatness of God is exemplified by the love and concern He shows and has for His people.

He promises a land flowing with milk and honey. But as we will eventually see, reaching the new land was extremely hard with ravines and obstacles strewed all along the way. It took many, many years, many dying on the way, including Moses himself, who was denied seeing the Promised Land.

But God's promise of such a land does not seem to be a reality so far and for forty years the people journeyed through the wilderness encountering sufferings and facing many vicissitudes as well on the way so much so they began to curse God and Moses saying they were well and contended in captivity under the egyptians and with the disillusion gathering momentum by the day, the people in their desperation turned to the gods of the Egyptians.

Hearing the pleas and curses, God summoned Moses to Mount Sinai to give the people a Code of statutes or Commandments while the people remained below and God spelt out beginning with the first.

* "I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other goods before me." * "You shall not make for yourself a carved image any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;........." * "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain..........." * "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy......." * "Honour your father and your mother........." * "You shall not murder." * "You shall not commit adultery." * "You shall not steal." * "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour." * "You shall not covet your neighbour's house, you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, nor anything that is your neighbour's.

(Exodus. Chap.20-01-17)

All of them being rules and guidelines, to be adhered and lived.

Every Commandment spelt out by God were preceded by thundering, lightning and the noise of the trumpet during which the people were solely afraid.

It took Moses 40 days and 40 nights and God set out the Commandments in two tablets and when Moses came down the mountain the people had set up a calf of silver and were worshipping at which Moses in sheer anger dashed the two tablets on the ground and the impact caused the calf to completely burn out and with it a thousand of the people perished.

Moses however pleaded with God for the people whom God called "a stiff necked people."

At God's command a new set of tablets were hewn by Moses and the Lord said, "Behold I make a covenant before all these people's. But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images and cut down their groves......." (Exodus 34-10-13)

ST Joseph's College, dream of Archbishop Bonjean

The year 1847 was great importance for the Roman Catholic Church in Ceylon (It was called then) where oblates of Mary Immaculate first came to the Island to serve as missionaries. Their Idea was to consolidate the Catholism in the region and also to inculcate a rich and value added educational system to entire denominations of the country.

Among them, there was a French priest of the Paris Foreign Mission Society, who left for India as a missionary named Christopher Bonjean. He arrived in the Island in 1856 and with his Dynamism without any longer rose to prominence as the most outstanding churchman in Ceylon at that time. As a simple priest, then as vicar apostolic of Jaffna (1868) later as vicar apostolic of Colombo (1883) and as Archbishop of Colombo (1887); Bonjean Fought Fearlessly for the Rights of Lanka's Catholic community at a time when British Government tended to favour the established church in the colony.

Early part of 1892 Archbishop Bonjean took a firm decision to go ahead with his plans to establish an Institution for Catholic community children in Colombo.

He worked tirelessly to obtain the concurrence from the Department of instruction (present Education Dept) and as a result he wrote a letter after letter to fulfil ultimate goal in finding a Roman Catholic Denominational Institution in the heart of the capital. In the same year he purchased a land called Uplands between present Kotahena and Mutuwal.

But before the construction of the planned institution this great prelate, Archbishop Christopher Bonjean answered the call from his creator and entered glory on August 03, in the same year of 1892.

However Bonjean entrusted his pivotal duties to three equally dynamic Priests, Rev. Fathers Charles Collin, Charles Lytton and Henry Guglielmi. Since the English Government wanted to acquire the Uplands Fr. Collin sold it and bought the present location which is commonly Known as Orabi Pasha lands just by the side of the picturesque Beira Lake.

When a large part of the Main Building was ready St Joseph's College was opened for students March 02, 1896. The foremost dream of Archbishop Bonjean became a reality.

The two men who undertook the task after the death Of Arch Bishop Bonjean, incidentally both bearing the name of Charles were appointed as Rector/Principal respectively. Charles Collin (1896 to 1910) and Charles Lytton (1910 to 1912).

Today St Joseph's College Colombo is a leading Educational Institution in Sri Lanka which consist of more than 4,000 students. It mainly consist of Catholic Students and besides above it caters to a balance amount of other leading denominations in the country.

It Possess a complete Curriculum which has Sinhala, Tamil and English under the able supervision of it's Present Rector/Principal Rev. Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe. In its 114 years of Pristine Glory St Joseph's College not only has produced men of erudition, statesmen, men who led the destinies of the country but some outstanding Sportsmen who have made their Alma Mater and native Country Proud.

(History statistics were extracted from birth of St Joseph's by Rt. Rev. Dr. W.L.A.Don Peter.)

Supun Perera

St. Lawrence's Church, Wellawatte celebrates 72nd annual feast

The Parishioners of St Lawrence Church, Wellawatte will be celebrating their Patron Saint's 72nd Annual feast on Sunday August 8.

This year The Archbishop of Colombo has declared The Year of the Eucharist in the Archdiocese of Colombo from August 2010 to August 2011 with the theme "Let the Eucharist transform you to be a Blessing." As our church feast falls within this period more emphasis and awareness on the Divine adoration of the precious blood and body in the Eucharist will be proclaimed and highlighted in all throughout the novenas and feast celebrations. By providence an opportunity is graced for our Parishioners to learn and understand more of the Eucharist and to be in intimate union by direct dialogue with the Eucharistic Lord - a sacramental self gift of Jesus to us which brings in a solidarity for all humanity.

Finding the accommodation in the small Church was inadequate for the growing faithful he purchased a spacious land at 375 Galle Road Wellawatte, and the foundation was laid for the new church by Archbishop of Colombo Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Cooray on January 17, 1954. - Fr Robert Fernando laboured vigorously for thirty long years from 1938 to 1968 to build the present magnificent red colour hexagon shaped church with amazing work of art and unique architecture which can easily be called the most beautiful church in Sri Lanka.

This church was ceremonially consecrated on March 6, 1968 by late His Eminence Cardinal Cooray O M I. Although Fr Robert who has been referred as a human dynamo is no more with us but his name is synonymous with the parish of St Lawrence.

Our second Parish Priest late Msgr. Manik Muthukumaru served the parish from 1968 to 1985. During his pastorate he encouraged the parishioners to form different religious associations and got them involved in the parish activities and share a community life and enabled the parish to flourish both in spiritual and material aspects. He built a Community Centre to accommodate the Free Medical Clinic where free medicine and treatment given every Sunday Morning with a cup of milk with Milo and biscuits to nourish the patients.

Serving Hands projects, Sama Sevana and the home for the destitute boys of the parish too were conducted. In memory of his mother he built a beautiful grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes. He originated the idea of creating a sub parish at Mayura Place in honour of St Anthony.

Rev. Fr. Hugo Jesudasa Fernando served the parish for a short spell from January 1986 to October 1986.

Late Rev Fr. Cyril Perera, O M I was the fourth Parish Priest served from 1986 to 1992. He was a devoted God fearing humble priest with a knowledge of youth and vocational education. During his pastorate our church celebrated the Golden Jubilee in 1988. He introduced the Infant Jesus Novena which attracted church full of devotees on every Thursday evening.

He built the Belfry and erected a life size statue of St Lawrence opposite the porch inside the church compound. Late Fr. Cyril Perera with intense negotiation with the Government obtained a place at Myura Place and established St Anthony's Church and formed a sub-parish.

Fifth Parish Priest Rev.Fr. Cyril.S. Perera who served the parish from 1992 to 1997 was a hardworking dedicated and loving Pastor.

He encouraged youth to involve in parish activities and enroled them in different associations.

He shifted the life size statue of St Lawrence to the road side facing Galle road and built seven feet high fence right round the churchyard protecting from theft.

He is a lover of pets and variety of fish and love birds adorned the mission house. He planted beautiful flower plants along the pathway and around the churchyard and made the entire yard blossom with beautiful flowers. Looked into the spiritual needs of the Mayura Place parishioners, conducted regular Eucharistic services and devotional novena to St Anthony.

During his period he built an apartment on the property donated for charity purpose at Fredrica Road Wellawatte.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Benedict Fernando, a Scholar in Education came to the parish to gain more knowledge in parish work served our parish as the sixth Parish Priest from 1997 to 2006. During his tenure celebrated the church Diamond Jubilee in 1998.

During his time realizing the difficulties of the displaced who were living in cramped unhealthy rooms, he built benches in the church compound and made it comfortable for them to come and relax and read Newspapers which were made available at the Community Hall.

He was extremely simple humble loving and caring priest of God and always received the parishioners with a welcome smile. An extension to the existing Community centre was built to accommodate Sunday School-Daham Pasala children. During his tenure on his recommendation four Eucharistic Ministers were commissioned by His Grace Rt. Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, Archbishop of Colombo to distribute Holly Communion for the sick and serve the Parish. To add more beauty to the Tabernacle alter he installed two beautiful life-size angels adoring on either side of the Tabernacle holding burning lamps in their hands. Fr Joe Ben opted to create a Parish Council involving the lay to participate in the administration and maintenance of the sub-parish at Myura place.

He was a friend of all and was affectionately loved by the marginalized parishioners of Myura Place.

Rev. Fr. Bob Rodrigo was appointed as the seventh Parish Priest February 2006 who is fluent in all three languages and possess wealth of parish experience. He has the knack of attracting youth and is very successful in making them active participants in our parish activities. Paved tiles to the Grotto and renovated the Fatima Shrine with a gift of a beautiful miraculous statue of Our Lady of Fatima from Portugal. Initiated many works of charity and many parishioners are involved and active in collecting and distributing dry ration parcels for the poor monthly. Beautifully colour washed the entire interior church with matching colours to the different art and design and flower plants are planted around the churchyard and are full of bloomed flowers with carpeted grass which beautifies the entire churchyard which makes it a place of worship worthy to be called LORD'S HOUSE OF PRAYER.

Rev. Fr. Leon Babapulle O M I was appointed as the Assistant Parish Priest along with Fr. Bob in 2006. He is the administrator of Sunday School where nearly 300 students, both boys and girls in three language streams study religion every Sunday. Looks into the spiritual needs of the parishioners of the sub-parish St Anthony's Church at Mayura Place, Wellawatte and conducts regular Tri-Linguistic services on Sundays and Tuesdays. After a fruitful service for a period of 25 years in Lords vineyard he celebrated the sacerdotal silver jubilee on August 25. We the Parishioners of Wellawatte are truly blessed to have dedicated and devoted Priests of Christ and to have a beautiful church to worship.

HAIL GLORIOUS ST LAWRENCE, PROTECTOR OF FIRE AND BURNS - PRAY FOR US.

S.B.David

Pilgrims flock to Way of St. James

They come from around the world to have time to think, fulfil a promise or have an adventure: the gruelling "Camino de Santiago" has seen an influx of pilgrims this year, a Holy Year, for a variety of reasons.

Joshua Fleming, a 20-year-old Austrian student, said he decided to make the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain after reading best-selling Brazilian author Paulo Coelho's book describing his own pilgrimage in 1986.

"The challenge has opened my spirit," he said at the town of Pedrouzo at the start of the last leg of his pilgrimage, after having already walked some 300 kilometres (185 miles) across northern Spain.

The complete "Camino" or "Way of St.James" pilgrimage route usually begins in the Pyrenees mountain range on the Spanish-French border and ends some 800 kilometres further west at Santiago's cathedral which the faithful believe holds the remains of St. James, one of Jesus' 12 Apostles.

The cathedral, considered the third most holy place in the Roman Catholic world after Jerusalem and Rome, has been a magnet for pilgrims since the Middle Ages. But their numbers soar whenever July 25, the name day of St.James, falls on a Sunday as it does this year.

Last month alone over 33,000 pilgrims flocked to Santiago, compared to just under 20,000 during the same month last year, according to the archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela.

It estimates the number of pilgrims arriving in the city this year will be similar to the last Holy Year in 2004 when 180,000 people made the journey. The next Holy Year falls in 2021.

Visitors this year will include Pope Benedict XVI who is scheduled to stop over in the city during a visit to Spain in early November. Claude Champagnon, 64, and her daughter Karine, 44, from Puy-en-Velay in central France, walked the "Camino" in 2003 and are repeating it this year because it is Holy Year, when those who make the pilgrimage believe they are granted remission for their sins.

But they are unhappy to face competition for beds at the budget hostels along the route from those "who are on the 'Camino' without religious reasons".

AFP

A book in Sinhala bringing the life story of the Blessed Pope John XXIII in summary form Bhagyawantha Visithunwana Juwam Papthuma will be out shortly. It is quite possible that this may be the first time a book on Pope John XXIII in published in Sinhala, after His Beatification. The book has been authored by journalist Wattala E. Weerapperuma.