Christian Perspectives

A Christmas party was held at Sheril pre-school, Kudahakapola North recently. Here Santa Claus distributes gifts to participants. Pre-school teacher Sheril Navaratna is also present. Wilfred Silva, Ja-ela group corr

Expectations at advent

In ordinary understanding of events and seasons of the Church’s liturgical calendar preparation for coming of Jesus Christ is the season of advent and we are now half way through.

Along with the traditional Christmas cheer in the air, the season inescapably typifies consumerism at its peak. Proliferation of advertising campaigns by the media, one elbows the other aside to grab the latest electronic appliance in the market specially released for the season.

Yet, given all these, advent is singularly a significant liturgical season for reflection and prayer.

The word “Advent” derives from the Latin Adventus, which means ‘coming’ the main focus of Advent is expectation looking to the future with peaceful anticipation.

It is a time for quiet reflection, prayer and conversion in anticipation of the coming Advent marks the beginning of the Church year.

Unlike the secular year, which marks the passage of time, the liturgical year celebrates the sacred mysteries of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. There are four Sundays in the season of Advent.

The year begins during Advent in anticipation of the coming of Jesus with reflections on the Hebrew prophecies and the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah.

Advent wreath is part of the spiritual preparation for Christmas and Catholics have adorned it for centuries. The evergreen branches shaped into a circle represent everlasting life promised by Jesus. Since Advent falls during the darkest time of the year, the lighting of the candles reminds us that Jesus came into the world to dispel darkness and radiate the light of God’s love.

Pope Benedict XVI in his powerful meditation on Advent lays emphasis as thus: Awaken! Remember that God comes! Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but today, now! He is a Father who never stops thinking of us and, in the extreme respect of our freedom, desires to meet us and visit us; he wants to come, to dwell among us, to stay with us.

His ‘coming’ is motivated by the desire to free us from evil and death, from all that prevents our true happiness. God comes to save us.

To an extent known to him alone, the Christian community can hasten his Final Coming, helping humanity to go forth to meet the Lord who comes.

In this perspective, Advent is particularly suited to being a season lived in communion with all those who and thanks be to God they are numerous hope for a more just and a more fraternal world.

In this commitment to justice, people of every nationality and culture, believers and nonbelievers, can to a certain extent meet.

Indeed, they are all inspired by a common desire, even if their motivations are different, for a future of justice and peace.

Peace is the goal to which the whole of humanity aspires! For believers ‘peace’ is one of the most beautiful names of God, who wants all his children to agree with one another.

Let us therefore begin this new Advent a time granted to us by the Lord of time by reawakening in our hearts the expectation of the God-who-comes and the hope that his name will be hallowed, that his kingdom of justice and peace will come, that his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

The Church calls us not to lose sight of the profound spiritual importance of the Advent season in our mad rush of pre-Christmas frenzy.

Therefore, we need to strive hard to balance sacred side of the Advent with all other things that we are engaged with, so that we will truly experience a sense of joy and expectation, in looking forward to the coming of the Babe in Bethlehem.

Meno Thiruchelvam

Create new culture

Cardinal tells youth:

E Weerapperuma

His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith called upon the present day youth to create a new culture of communion among the people by learning both Sinhalese and Tamil languages and valuing each one’s language and culture.

Stressing the importance of learning world languages, he said that the language was a means of communication, communion among people and not a means of division. “By learning both Sinhala and Tamil languages of the two main communities of this land you could bring about peace, harmony and better understanding and also mutual respect. You are the hope and future of this country”.

These views were expressed by His Eminence while addressing the students, who had completed the ‘the three months residential immersion english course’ at the De Mazenod English Institute at Katuwapitiya last Sunday.

The event was organized to award certificates to the students who had completed the Course. They received their certificates in the presence of their parents and the invitees.

Colombo Archbishop His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Chief Guest at the ceremony along with the guest of honour Asian Councillor of the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Very Rev Fr Clement Waidyasekera OMI, the Provincial of the OMI Colombo Province and other guests of honour were received by Mazenod English Institute (MEI) Director Rev.Fr. Dennis Iddamalgoda OMI, on their arrival and were taken to the Auditorium of the Institute.

His Eminence underscored the importance of learning not only Sinhala and Tamil but also other world languages like French, German and the like, He observed that such learning “would broaden and widen the scope of one’s knowledge and makes one really free”.

Cardinal Ranjith said that due to the undue extreme nationalistic feeling and making Sinhala, the only medium of instructions years ago was the root cause of the calamities experienced by the island nation for decades and divided people who commonly shared this island nation.

“The children of those who made the Sinhala language policy were sent overseas to study in the Oxford or Cambridge Universities or entered St Bridget’s or St Joseph. The failure on the part of those responsible to make the study of both Sinhala and Tamil languages compulsory to enter the universities left two generation without studying the two main languages, the means of communication and communion, and was the cause of ill-feeling” His Eminence said.

“Undoubtedly we must love our language and culture. But it never should close our door to others. We must learn, speak, love and respect the language and the culture of the other and should accept that they are part and parcel of this country. Because of the division within us, we have turned people who share the same land our enemies.

Amidst this the foreign powers try to dictate terms to us, to govern us and we on our part all them to make us dance like puppets in their hands.

This sad scenario could be changed by moving with an open mind among nations, without behaving like the frogs in the well and living in our own tiny worlds.”

While pointing out the mockery of keep on repeating ‘we must unite-we must unite’ like a litany without facilitating the necessary means to implement such ideals, He invited the youth, the future of this country to make a special effort to master the language of the other community and speak in that language they understand and said that would bring about mutual respect and appreciation.

Cardinal Ranjith also saluted and applauded the steps taken by the Institute to introduce the ‘Integral Formation Program’ as part of the Immersion Course and said that the world would love and respect the educated and culturally dignified and not the educated and uncultured.

He upheld the importance of living according to the precepts of religions one adhere as that helps the moulding the character and bringing out an integrated person.

Very Rev Fr Clement Waidysekera OMI, the Provincial of the Oblates said the Congregation was grateful to the donor of the premises Rev.Fr.Tissa Balasuriya OMI for donating his ancestral home to turn that into an Educational Institute.

He also saluted the parents present for trusting in the special Ministry of the Oblates, performed during the past 15 years and entrusting their children to be educated and moulded under the Oblates.

Rev Fr Dennis Iddamalgoda OMI, the Director of the Institute welcoming the chief guest said that His Eminence had brought pride and honour to the island nation Sri Lanka.

Presenting the Annual Report on the Residential English Immersion Course Fr Iddamalgoda declared that the whole purpose of the course was while creating at atmosphere necessary to master the English language, give the youth an opportunity to discover their inert abilities and develop them with discipline to be a person of integrity and a useful citizen.

Fr Iddamalgoda added that the completion of the program was only the beginning of a very long journey in gaining competence in the English Language which is fast becoming the most important language of communication among nations.

Episcopal Vicar of Colombo North Very Rev Fr Patrick Perera, Fr Tissa Balasuriya OMI and several other distinguish invitees were also present.

The Christmas Joy

“The Christmas will be tomorrow. If I don’ prepare something special the little one will be unhappy”. Mary thought.

The problem was how to find money. She knew that she had spent the last red cent she had kept. It was raining past few days and she was unable to get out to find a job to earn bread even.

This was the life Mary led with her little son Sam after the death of her beloved husband who was dearest and nearest to her. They called him Micheal and to show much love some used to call him Micheal aiya. He was a true friend in their need. Mary remembered how they mourned before his dead body. The time rolled by and Mary was dragged to much sufferings. She had to struggle to feed the child who was regarded as the most valuable asset left by father to loving mother. Mary loved him more than her life.

”What am I to give you for Christmas my darling|? She asked Sam who was clinging to her.

”I want crackers mummy” The child said as he was fond of them. He heard the sound of crackers from the neighbourhood and started pressing mother.

”If your father is living my darling” She broke down and wiped her tears but she was careful to control her emotions as the little one might notice.

”I will try my best dear”. She told him just to console him.

Towards the eve, there was much preparation for the greatest occasion. There was a new look everywhere. The houses had been decorated. The neighbours were in new clothes. The joy of the small children was greater.

They had been waiting for Christmas since school was closed. They were singing, clapping and firing crackers. Sam who was watching what was taking place ran to his mother held her hand and asked.

”Why don’t we have Christmas mother?

”We will have it tomorrow my son. The God will bless us”

She said looking at the setting sun. It was filtering through the branches. She got under the shade of the mango tree and held a branch just above her head. It gave a sort of relief and she started praying the God. Sam was sitting at her feet. Suddenly he started shouting.

”mother, mother, somebody is coming here.”

”where is Micheal”? He asked. Mary felt something had struck in her throat.

”Died”, she said looking down.

”Died”, when? The visitor asked. His facial expressions changed with sorrow. Mary noticed it.

”I’m Joseph. I came from Colombo to visit Micheal, who was a true friend of mine. Once he lent me some money when I was in a great trouble.

I came to return it. Just before the Christmas. He gave the money to Mary who couldn’t believe what was happening. With much delight her face sparkled.

”Come here little Son. Your father had told me about you. I have brought a present for you”. He told Sam who was puzzled. Joseph placed the parcel in his hand.

Sam ran with it, opened and found many things in it. He jumped up with joy as it contained crackers too.

Mary heard the sound of the church bell. She huddled the little one to her, kissed him and told.

”Be kind to people as your father. Then the God will be with you. He is ready to help those who help man and those who serve man.”

H. A. Jayasinghe

Badugama, Matugama.

Humility bears fruit

Let us rejoice in the success of Mary of being the mother of Jesus even as we would in our own. This is our genuine Christian way of thinking and we praise God Almighty for the blessings bestowed upon us through her and her humility.

Her humility heightened her to the highest position a woman could ever dream of or long for. Being the mother of Jesus, the long awaited Messiah, she got the best opportunity to serve the Lord to love the Lord, in the poor and the needy. She was full of love, humility and simplicity.

People realized God’s love for man from her conception. After being announced of her elevation to be the Mother of Jesus she said, “I am the servant of God.” She never wanted any pomp and pageantry.

Wasn’t it an opportunity for Mary be proud and blow her trumpet for being chosen as the Mother of God? Instead she became more simple and humble. Therefore we should realize humility is the path to greatness.

Paddy stalk bends when the grains mature. When a man goes up in position he must be all the more humble. Humility is the hall mark of greatness. Humility bears fruit.

We have the example of Mary the Mother of Jesus. Her humility bore fruit. Today in the church that humility must shine out not the pomp and glory. We all including the clergy should be humble enough before other Non-Catholics to see Jesus in us. Today the Catholic Church is the cynosure of all eyes for many reasons. Therefore, as a family we should be mindful of our actions that are seen by others. Therefore they should be meaningful.

Our Lady encouraged his son to identify Himself with those whom he served. The best example is the wedding at Cana. She helped Jesus to understand that the others were not apart from Him: they were a part of Him.

I take this opportunity to join the many who are not happy with the unnecessary expenses, colourful shows and entertainments organized by the organizations attached to the Church behind the curtain of felicitations. How nice and exemplary it would be in this multi-religious country if we leave room for our Non- Catholic brethren to see genuine Christianity in all our Christmas and other celebrations.

The difference could give occasion to many others to criticize either constructively or destructively in their pep talks but I took a step ahead to fulfill my prophetic duty to voice my opinion at this juncture. This would have been a golden opportunity for us to show our Christian way of life and behaviour to the others and for them to extract examples.

Jesus, who was influenced by Mary the mother, shunned all the worldly positions.

His three temptations were a luring to giving to worldly desires. Is Christ present in all the pomp and pageantry and Christmas celebration? In the entire pompous celebrations one looked to find if Christ was anywhere. He could not see the least semblance of Christ.

We the faithful and the clergy or religious knock at our hearts during the season of advent and search how humble and simple we are in our life and how humility and simplicity can make our life meaningful and beautiful, we can surely be happy and enjoy Christmas in the true spirit. Merry Christmas!

Ajith Perera –Wennappuwa

Islamic-Christian Conference

Delegates from more than 30 countries participated in the Islamic-Christian Fraternity Conference started in Syria Wednesday.

The conference was sponsored by the Syrian Endowments and Christian Churches Ministry. Participants highlighted the fraternity and unity between Muslims and Christians for encountering the challenges threatening the values and principles of the holy religions. “This conference presents a message to the world that this land will remain the cradle of the divine religions,” said Grand Mufti of Syria Ahmad Hassoun.

Xinhua