Monday, 15 November 2010

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVES

Year of Eucharistic Lord

Lenard R Mahaarachchi

We are in the year of the Eucharistic, as declared by His Grace the Archbishop Rt Rev Dr Malcolm Ranjith on August 30 at Tewatta at the anointing of the sick day. The Eucharist year will end August 30, 2011. The ‘Eucharist’ is the Greek word for Thanksgiving. It was the offering of praise and the breaking of bread in the infant church, which today is commonly called mass. It is also called ‘The Lord’s Supper’ and ‘Holy Communion’ by non Catholic Christians.

To members of the Orthodox church it is simply Liturgy or Holy Sacrifice. From time immemorial the Eucharist has been regarded the most sacred of all sacraments. Though it has to be the sacrament of unity, sadly today it is the interpretation of the dogma of the Eucharist that has kept different communions separate from one another. The over emphasis to dogmatize the word, has raised unnecessary controversy and discord, and the churches themselves have to take the blame for it.

There are distinct narratives of the institution of the Eucharist in the New Testament. References can be found in Mark 14/22, Mathew 26/26, 27, Luke 22/17 and I Corinthians 11/23, 24. John narrates it in detail in the Last Supper story. According to Justin Marty, the discipls of the second century, continued to give thanks over the bread and the cup, while St Ireneus says that after the consecration the bread is no longer common bread. The Eucharist was celebrated in the pristine church in the evenings till it eventually changed to morning at the behest of St Paul in the Corinthian church.

Blessed Sacrament

The Blessed Sacrament is the centre of worship in Christianity and it is a treasure given by Jesus Himself to us. In passing it may be mentioned that the little chapel containing the Blessed Sacrament in the ‘Prasansaramaya’ (monastery of praise) at Walpola, Ragama, which is the ‘Mahagedera’ of the Charismatic movement, is rightly named ‘Nidhanaya’ (treasure house) and is the centre of worship there.

Miracles woven round the Eucharist provide interesting reading in a book authored by Joan Carrol Cruz, titled ‘Eucharistic Miracles’. (She is the author of ‘The Incorruptible’ another interesting book on bodies of saints preserved hitherto). The miracle of Ferraray that occurred in 1171 can be quoted here. It happened in the church of S Maria del Vado. It was Easter Sunday March 28. A Mass was being concelebrated by three priests of the order of canons Regular Portuensi. When at the consecration the host was broken, those present saw a spectacular flow of blood spurting from the broken host which turned into flesh.

This made the Bishop of Ferrara and Archbishop of Ravenna rush to the scene. The duo agreed that the blood was miraculous. The documents pertaining to his miracle are in the Vatican to this day.

The prodigy was acknowledged by HH Pope Eugene IV in a Papal Bull of April 7, 1442 and Pope Benedict XIV (1740-1758). Later Pope Pius IX journeyed to the church in 1857 who remarked “These drops of blood are like those on the corporal in Orvieto.” This church was later converted to a Basilica.

The Holy Blood is still visible to the naked eye of the beholder. Since 1930 the Basilica is in the charge of Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood. A year long celebrations were observed in 1970 commemorating the eighth centennial of the miracle. This is just one of the 102 miracles listed in the book. The miracle of Lanciano is too well known. To be repeated.

Miracle

Coming to our time, the most recent miracle of the Eucharist is the following one. The late Pope John Paul II on the last day of his US visit in 1985 visited the chapel of St Mary’s, Novitiate in Baltimore. His holiness wanted to visit the Blessed Sacrament and dismissed the security officers. But they insisted that they take the sniff dogs too to provide him security even inside an area that was out of bounds to outsiders, let alone an enemy.

On reaching the Blessed Sacrament, the dogs started barking and the security officers thought that someone was hiding. “Someone is hiding here,” said the sleuths. But the priests smiled and said, “No, the animals have sensed the presence of Jesus inside the tabernacle.” How strange that when humans cannot sense the holy presence animals do.

One more story about those who loved Jesus in the Eucharist involves a holy priest. Rev. Fr. Peter Julian Eymard, founder of the Blessed Sacrament fathers. Once he was assigned to a far away parish where basic facilities were minimal. His Bishop told him that he was sorry to assign him there. The Blessed sacrament was not there in some churches at that time, but here it was there.

The reply of the Eucharist loving priest was. “If the Lord of the sacrament is there, that is all I need. I do not mind the lack of basic facilities.”

To quote one more, in 1263 Fr Peter, a priest from Prague on his way to Rome said Mass at St Christina’s Church in Bolsena. A devout priest who hesitated to believe in the Transubstantiation was surprised to see the host turn into blood. When HH Pope Urban IV was informed of the miracle he sent a cardinal to check on its veracity of the miracle. Satisfied with the miracle the Pope asked St Thomas Aquinas to write a hymn about the miracle.

Benediction

The two famous hymns sung at Benediction, ‘O Salutaris Hostian’ and ‘Tantum Ergo’ are his Latin composition.

In an English rendition of the second hymn, describing God’s glory in the Eucharist, one of his lines goes like this. “Sight is blind before God’s glory, Only in faith can we see His face.” What a fitting description of the Blessed Sacrament from the angelic doctor? (In passing may I mention that St Christina was one of those who were demoted by HH Pope VI with Philomena, Christoper, George and others). But the same Pope offered mass at the site of the miracle in 1964 at its 700th celebrations.

It has to be recorded that the feast of the Corpus Christi was introduced by Pope Urban as a consequence of this miracle.

Let us go to the Lord of the Eucharist and adore Him before we plead for all our needs.

De La Salle Brothers, unsung heroes

I was an eight year old lad when I was boarded at Maris Stella College. The borders had two houses called De La Salle, Founder of De La Salle Brothers and Champagnat, Founder of Marist Brothers, for games. That was my first exposure to the name De La Salle. Further, we had inter-hostellers matches between De Mazenod and Maris Stella. In addition, certain De La Salle Brothers who were trainees at Bolawalana Teachers’ Training College found accommodation at Maris Stella.

My little knowledge about De La Salle Brothers bloomed after my fortunate meeting as a teacher on the staff of Very Rev Br Placidus Fernando, the then Principal of St Mary’s College, Chilaw.

Appreciation

Bro Placidus who is placid and cheerful in subtle ways of dealing with the public and appreciating their achievements while forgiving and forgetting their mistakes, accompanied me to the galaxies of Illustrious Sons of De La Salle, Brothers Alexander Cyrillus, (who is in a very critical condition at Kandy General Hospital) Thomas Philip, Michael Robert etc; late Bro Dr Baptist Croos and Jerome are a few to mention. (Though I have chosen a few of the senior Brothers I am known to many others. So, Brothers forgive me for not mentioning your good names.)

Gradually and naturally I became a close associate of De La Salle Brothers, especially those giants. Meetings are like re-admission to school or spending hours with interesting books worth digesting because they are fountains of up-to-date knowledge. They are real educationist and their words and deeds go together. They are real giants in education but they never consider me a dwarf in their true sense of brotherhood. They are fully aware that we are equal before God Almighty. That I admire very much.

I am writing these lines about Very Rev Dr Baptist, a son of Christ and Very Rev Br Jerome, a great Marian lover who are enjoying the eternal bliss with Jesus and Mary, in sincere appreciation with deep sense of gratitude because when I was a clay pot before those deep wells they were humble enough to fill me with spirituality and knowledge embellished by experience. All of us should emulate their cheerful gestures with simple lifestyle and true undying La Sallian spirit and enrich our lives with such divine qualities they were gifted with.

I have visited almost all the De La Salle Brothers’ houses where I have experienced religious spirit, warmth, love and affection, decency and human touch. On top of all, the sense of community that I found among the Brothers and with their visitors is excellent.

There is something I always feel when I meet the Christian Brothers or visit their communities and I still cannot put into words. I may fail in wording it, it could be true sense of spirituality blended with humanity and humility. I feel Christ is alive in their communities. They are a family and I feel at home when I am with them.

They welcome their guest as he is and treats him in whom they welcome the living Jesus. They always impress their visitor irrespective of his social and educational background.

What I admire most is their simplicity, humanity and humility. I have found true spirituality and Christian spirit in all the De La Salle Brothers and their way of life is magnetic. Thank God! They are not corrupted by materialism and worldly pleasures that deviate them from Christian virtues. ‘Nothing in creation is more beautiful than a person shining with virtue.’ They follow the charism of their founder, St John Baptist De La Salle. They are inspired by the spirit of their congregation, namely spirit of Faith and spirit of Zeal.

Christian education

De La Salle Brothers, the pioneers of Christian education in Ceylon can walk high and mighty even boasting of their illustrious productions. Their unparallel yeoman contribution to our nation and society through education is enormous. They are the heroes by nature know that they need no pomp and glory in this life. The teaching mission of De La Salle Brothers commenced in Ceylon in 1867.

Today they successfully maintain Private and Government schools, Diyagala Boys’ Town at Ragama, Lasallian Educational Service Centre at Mutwal and the Rehabilitation Centre at Mannar. They do not aspire to priesthood.

Ajith Perera,

To be continued

Ancient Rome’s biggest temple reopens

The biggest temple of ancient Rome reopened to the public Thursday after nearly 30 years amid heavy criticism of Italy’s management of its artistic heritage after the collapse of a house in Pompeii.

“We’re restoring to Rome one of the most important symbols of the power and greatness of the Roman Empire,” Claudia Del Monte, the architect in charge of repairing the Temple of Venus and Roma, told AFP at the opening. Designed by the Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, the shrine occupies a large area in the Roman Forum one of Italy’s most popular tourist sites.

The temple, measuring 106 metres by 48 metres (348 feet by 156 feet), once had dozens of columns flanking an enormous nave and a coffered vaulted ceiling. Only 16 of the original white marble columns are left standing.

The temple site was used as a car park until the 1980s and has been undergoing intermittent restoration work since then. Erected on the remnants of Emperor Nero’s villa, the temple had two main chambers arranged back to back, each containing a giant statue one of Venus, the goddess of love, and the other of Roma, the goddess of Rome.

The cult of Venus played an important role in many Roman religious festivals and myths and Julius Caesar claimed the goddess as an ancestor. Roma faced west to look out over the Forum, while Venus looked out over the Colosseum, with majestic staircases leading down to the ancient arena.

AFP

Anglican leader to visit Vatican

Anglican leader Rowan Williams will travel to the Vatican next week, Vatican radio reported Wednesday, following the departure of five Anglican bishops to the Roman Catholic Church.

Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the world’s Anglicans, is to visit November 17 for the 50th anniversary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the radio station’s documentation service said.

His visit comes after the Roman Catholic Church Monday announced that five Church of Anglican bishops were to convert to Catholicism under a controversial offer from Pope Benedict XVI to accept Anglicans disgruntled with their church. A major meeting of Catholic cardinals in the Vatican on November 19 will also discuss Anglican conversions, as well as sexual abuse by clergymen.

William met with Benedict last year amid tensions over the Vatican’s offer, which is aimed at Anglicans disaffected by gay marriage and women priests.

AFP

Advent of Jesus

Advent of Jesus was a challenge for the leaders in Israel. From the birth to death there were many instances when the leaders attempted to kill Jesus. The simple reason was that Jesus was a challenge for them. Often Jesus confronted with the Pharisees and law givers because the teaching and the life of Jesus was a challenge to their misinterpretations and pharisaical life. Destruction of Jesus, the challenge, was the main intention of the leaders who thought Jesus was swimming against the tide. Yet killing of Jesus was a greater challenge for them. However they killed Jesus but they could not wipe out the challenge of Jesus. That challenge is still before us.

Wiping out the challenges instead of facing them has been an inhuman practice of man from his origin. What do they gain by annihilating their challenges is still unanswered.

Tearing down or tarnishing the image of a person who is a challenge is obviously an uncivilized act but it has been a practice in the human society from its inception. We highly condemn the inhuman act of crucifying Jesus but aren’t we secretly or in public crucify those whom we consider a challenge? If so is there a difference between those killers of Jesus and us? They killed Jesus once but how many times have we killed Jesus living in those innocent people? Why do we do so? Because they are outstanding.

Jesus Himself is a challenge for us. His simple poor way of life was a greater challenge. What He taught through words and deeds to mankind is the greatest challenge. Everything becomes a challenge for us when it is far from our very life.

Jesus never meant to be a challenge for anyone during His Ministry on earth but naturally His words and deeds set a challenge to all those lip service selfish leaders and corrupt fraudulent priests. Ordinary people began to see invariably the difference between Jesus and the other political and religious leaders. That ultimately challenged all of them who decided His assassination. Jesus, the way of life, the death and resurrection challenged all of us through his own life, death and resurrection.

Jesus was the Good News. Jesus, the great teacher showed us the simple way we should live and the simple way we should be successful in life. He was the greatest leader. He never took measures to widen His worldly powers. That is why the leaders thought His death was the end of everything but He and His mission was a great success even after His death. That is a great challenge for us all.

Today we come across many leaders and preachers of the Good News in society. At times there are more leaders and preachers than the followers and listeners. Do they preach the real theological message or what they feel is correct? Do they follow Jesus and practice what they preach? That is the most difficult challenge. Those preachers behave like Christ before their listeners and followers (may be for fame and worldly pleasures) but are they really Christ like in poverty and simplicity in their day-to-day life? There are healers who advertise their healing power and live on them. Jesus the best healer helped the innocent helpless people in every possible way and disappeared from the scene. Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead and consoled the grief stricken people who came in search of justice and satisfaction. Thereby Jesus made them happy by adding a taste to their lives.

If the healers and preachers follow the command of Jesus “Go into the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation.” (Mk 16/15) and act on it, then it is excellent. But if they do so because they are out of work and for their daily bread such wolves should be whipped. It is not a challenge at all. We as intelligent faithful should act against those wolves in sheep clothing misleading the innocent faithful while misinterpreting the Good News.

(AP)

Medical advances must respect life, dignity

Pope Benedict XVI called on science to respect life and dignity Sunday as he blessed the first stone of a new disabled children’s residence in Spain, alluding to the selection of embryos to eliminate deformities.

Remarkable advances in medicine had improved care for those most in need, said the 83-year-old pontiff, dressed in a white cassock, on the last day of a weekend visit to Spain where he sought to halt a perceived slide away from the Church.

Dedicated and humane treatment was crucial to healing, said Benedict, who met with children of the centre before attending a ceremony inside, seated on a red throne previously used by the royals. Outside, thousands of people gathered including youngsters shouting “Viva el Papa! (long live the pope)”.

“Therefore, it is indispensable that new technological developments in the field of medicine never be to the detriment of respect for human life and dignity, so that those who suffer physical illnesses or handicaps can always receive that love and attention required to make them feel valued as persons in their concrete needs,” he said.

The pontiff sprinkled holy water on the first stone of a new residence that will carry his name, part of a centre run by the Roman Catholic Church’s Nino Dios foundation for children with Down’s Syndrome and other mental disabilities. The press director for the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, Isidro Catela, said in the week before the pope’s arrival that the number of children with Down’s Syndrome had declined.

AFP

Pope Benedict XVI (C) leaving the Sagrada Familia after a solemn mass celebrated consecrate Barcelona’s famous temple in a basilica, during his two-day visit in Spain. AFP