Mother Teresa - the Paradigm of Holiness and Charity

The 102 birth anniversary of Mother Teresa fell on August 26. It is said that once on being shown the inside of the magnificent and sprawling White House Mother Teresa had said, “I was thinking there was so much room.... seeing the emptiness, I always feel like wanting to fill it.”

Such a pronouncement lead many to think of its multitude of interpretations. That such edifices with their grandeur and glory exist alongside the teeming millions enveloped in poverty and reveal that vast emptiness in man, an emptiness which ignores pecuniary strife and propagates self. What Mother Teresa makes one understand is whether we really need all this pomp, show and display of vanity in leading the kind of life Christ wanted us to.

It was in August 26, 1910 that Mother Teresa was born in Yugoslavia. She was given the name Agnes with the family name of Bojaxhiu. In October 2003 Pope John Paul II beautified her as she was exemplary and paradigmatic in holiness during her lifetime. This in a sense is the culmination of the life of this ‘Woman against Women’ who in 1928 joined the Sisters of Loreto a community of nuns in Ireland with missions in India. From Dublin, Mother Teresa went to India where on May 24, 1931 she took her initial vows as a nun, choosing the name Teresa in honour of St. Teresa of Lisieux. From then till 1948 she taught in Culcutta. However it was not the teaching of geography in a five star convent that inspired her but the burdens of that enormous Indian city. The suffering and poverty in Calcutta was the reason for her to seek Papal permission to leave the Loreto sisters and start the new order of the Missionary Sisters of the Charity. In 1948, therefore, she was granted permission to work in the slums of Calcutta. In 1950 she started her new order with the primary task of loving and caring for those persons nobody else was prepared to look after. When she died in 1997, a week after the tragic death of Princess Diana whom she knew because of Diana's social awareness. Mother India gave Mother Teresa from Europe a state funeral.

Mother Teresa's self effacing presence sealed down the grandeur of the places and places she visited making the occupants feel uncomfortable in them. Her white blue sari neatly darned in several places; the old cloth bag with wooden handles that spoke of her humility were nothing to her sense of call and her close walk with God.

It is a lesson for all of us in this sophisticated world with its fat and lying politicians, its corrupt governments and regimes legitimate or otherwise and even its hypocritical churchmen. Mother Teresa's intense devotion and love for Jesus Christ is revealed in her answer to someone who asked her how she could clean even the wounds of a leprosy patient. “We do it for the love of him,” she replied. The conspicuous absence of ‘I’ and the much favoured ‘We’ displays a high degree of ‘Self'lessness which gives added weight to the act itself. Locating Mother Teresa in the diverse socio-economic political structures that have failed to achieve human well-being, we see in her a source of inspiration and emulation for both state and civil society. While an agenda motivated system worked towards fostering divisiveness, marginalization and deprivation Mother Teresa remained uninstitutionalized even transcending the boundaries of country, race and religion setting a role model for others to be inspired by their inner spirit.

The social consciousness now engulfed in high speed consumerism, the systems hold on man that denies him the privilege of seeing the forceful spark embedded in him and the creative spirit that emerges of and on drew Mother Teresa's attention.

Mother Teresa had in her the potential for others to develop a more positive perspective towards a better world where caring and sharing, restraint of self indulgence and developing an identity that denies egoism – a straying away point. As Mother Teresa understood these are socially meaningful for a future society more suited for human living.

What was the secret of Mother Teresa's life that made her very attractive? Following the life of her Lord and master she began the day in the chapel. It was there that she developed her inner life and spirituality. The chapel centred life was the foundation on which she built her work in the world.

In an interview once she was asked; “when one is face to face with someone who is physically maimed suffering from leprosy, crawling with maggots then having to touch such a person might cause a doubt?” She replied; “That's not doubt, that is fear” Mother Teresa was right, for only self-consciousness brings in both doubt and fear capturing the spirit of Mother Teresa in what really was her grain, the living of her life was sacrament and a paradigmatic holiness beyond the symbols of bread and wine.

Many of us would be compelled in to thinking how rituals and rituals alone take pride of place in worship when service to the poorest of the poor was not even the last in the agenda of the many that throng religious places of worship. If poverty is an outcome of the system, so is sickness, despair and suicide. Jesus was no system based person. Mother Teresa saw Jesus in the afflicted and ostracised which inspired her in to service a calling within a calling. To Mother Teresa poverty was a celebration not in the restricted, narrow sense of that word. It was a source of joy because she found in it an instrument of service to Christ.

To touch a leper with maggot stricken wounds was joyful, to fill the void of the lonely was happiness, to caress the dying was blissful, that was the life of Mother Teresa.

She even described loneliness as the leporasy of the West, for Mother Teresa knew of the dangers in high speed development where humans were a throwaway commodity. Mother Teresa has a message, something to be made note of by the humbug politician who come election time would go around promising his services if elected – a conditional offering.

Finally to quote Mother Teresa's choicest prayer which she began to recite from 18th October 1988 where her Christian thoughts struck compatibility with other faiths as well:

‘Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted;

To understand than to be understood;

To love, than to be loved;

For it is by forgetting ‘self’ that one finds;

The elevated gradation of spiritual and peaceful existence, Finally found by Mother Teresa, a paradigmatic of Holiness.

Miran Perera

Weekly Devotion

Jesus’ teachings on forgiveness

Then came Peter to him, and said ‘how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Till seven times?’ (Matthew 18:21)

Apparently, the Rabbis were of the opinion to forgive someone three times was good enough, and Peter here raises it up to seven thinking that he has doubled it and more, and surely this will be acceptable to Jesus and His teachings.

Not so, Jesus goes on to say in verse 22:- I say not unto thee until seven times but until seventy times seven.

What Jesus was saying here does not give us a target of 490 times but, that there is no limit to forgiving. In other words if someone offends you, you must forgive.Today's Christian has to abide by Kingdom principles. Very often this exceeds worldly principles and standards. When Jesus Christ graced this earth He brought in the Kingdom of Heaven, and left with us some of the Kingdom Standards that are expected of us if we are followers of Christ.

Jesus also demonstrated this to us in the way He lived on this earth. If we read the Bible regularly we do understand that we cannot react as the world reacts to some of the life experiences we have to face. We have to pray for those who abuse us and not fight for our rights as the world teaches us and one of the foremost attitudes of a Christian being that of love, resulting in forgiveness.

We Christians have tasted what it is to be forgiven, that too when we do not deserve it, Christ's teachings clearly states to us both in the Lord's Prayer and the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant that the Lord expects us to forgive others as He has forgiven us our sins and wrong doings.

Let us read the parable of the unforgiving servant:-

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

But for as much as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, his wife, and children, and all that he had and payment to be made.The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. (Matthew 18:23-35)

Here we read that the servant owed this gracious and kind king ten thousand talents.This amount is said to be something like ten million pounds sterling in today's value. He could never have paid it! It was a terrible thing in those days as a servant to be indebted to his Master. The king had every right to take over the servant's whole family to work for him or to sell them as slaves as a repayment of this massive debt.

But here we find the king was kind and tender hearted. He had mercy and compassion and he forgives this servant and wipes his slate clean of all that the servant owed him. The wonderful attributes of our Lord are portrayed here, when one of us asks Him for mercy and forgiveness. We are quick to recognize this in our Lord and oh so grateful for it…but wait, there is also another side to this gracious king. He is also a fair judge who cannot stand unfair treatment of others. Let us read on the parable to fully understand this wonderful quality of this king as well. He is certainly not weak when it comes to putting matters right when weaker vessels are mistreated.

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee?

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. There is a terrible judgment awaiting us too if we who have received God’s mercy and forgiveness do not offer this to people whom we deal with daily.

This is a parable that Jesus told his disciples, and one must take in all what it teaches us seriously.

I like you to take into heart at least 6 instances where Jesus Himself speaks on the subject of forgiveness. It shows us without a doubt that it is imperative that we grasp the meaning of it and understand fully its principles.

1. Jesus gives it a place in the Lord’s Prayer (Matt.6:12)

2. He answers Peter saying that one must forgive seventy times seven, implying that there is no limit to forgiveness.

3. He speaks of it in the parable mentioned above.

4. He tells us that unless we forgive, our prayers will not be heard. (Mark 11:25)

5. Whilst healing the man sick of the palsy Jesus states that the Son of Man has the power to forgive. (Matt.9:6)

6. Whilst dying on the cross Jesus asks God to forgive the people responsible for His death. (Luke 23:4)

If we lack in love and have an unforgiving heart, let us take it to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to endow us with the qualities that God requires of us.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thank you that you have been kind and gracious unto me. Thank you Father for forgiving my sins - teach me to forgive others and not hold grudges against my fellowmen. Father heal me if I hold bitterness against people and change my heart Lord to show love and compassion even to the people who irritate me, Help me to go that one mile extra to show kindness because I belong to you. Bring to my notice that old nature in me that has to be committed to your hands and be overcome by me oh my Master. Take my inner nature and let it be transformed to reflect you my Jesus. I ask this in your name, Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

SUNITHA SAHAYAM

Golden day of ‘Queen of Angels’

Yes, the Great Day dawned – 50 years to the Queen of Angels’ Church, Rawatawatte, the parishioners under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Tyronne Perera, as all in one toiled for this Golden Day.

Cool winds fanned the church, so the floral trees blossomed as much as they could to emanate their fragrance in the vicinity whilst singing Happy Golden Anniversary Church, on the 18th morning the golden bells pealed ding dong, ding dong proclaiming “awake we are fifty years!” The colourful tiny birds flipped and flapped their wings to the tune of bells.

The face of the church was re-constructed with two bell towers. What a proud crowd of parishioners. It is now supposed to be the tallest Catholic Church in Moratuwa. For the construction how hard they worked organizing fund raising projects, successfully making collections, great Catholic philanthropists came forward, Monies in Rupees and Dollars flew in.

They all had only one statement “lets complete the church to celebrate the Golden Jubilee by holding the first Festive High Mass by His Eminence” The Queen of Angels from up above, (heaven) looked down below and smiled and blessed them. The church grounds were decorated with blue and white flags, right in the middle the “Kodi Gaha” (flag tree) stood majestically for the 50th time! The trees in the church were illuminated with colourful rods of bulbs scalloping from branch to branch making a pattern. The Loudspeakers were fixed in the Rawatawatte town singing all the time hymns for the Mother Mary.

The Vespers Service was held by the Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo Rt. Rev. Dr. Maxwell Silva. After the Vespers Mass by 7 pm the Great chariot with the statue of Queen of Angels’ started its journey in Rawatawatte, along the usual route which she was taken in a beautifully illuminated and floral chariot, installed in the middle the Queen of Angels. The proud congregation proclaiming the world, “this is our church, this is our statue” stepped out of the church behind the chariot singing hymns to the Virgin Most Pure, the Queen of Angels’, amidst offering reciting rosary after rosary to the Our Lady. The procession walked in a spiritual manner. At every junction an alter was kept decorated by the people in their lanes by installing a Mother Mary’s statue. All roads were illuminated with rods of bulbs giving light to the procession and blue and white flags fanned down all the lanes to the people making them feel cooler and comfortable. All Christians and non-Christians flocked and ran about to give a red carpet welcome to the Queen of Angels for the 50th time. Their minds were whispering “A Golden Jubilee, we are all celebrating.” Crackers were lit, in every junction, when the statue arrived down their lanes. Specially to mention the Buddhists in the area hoisted Buddhist Flags among the blue and white flags to show a mark of togetherness!

The Queen of Angels’ placed in the chariot blessed each and every house in the route which she went, and her rays of blessings were ushered upon on every house even at distant far where she could not view, off the route she was taken. All doors and windows of the Christian houses were kept open for the rays of blessings to fall in. The moon shone up on the skies drooping its silvery rays and trying her utmost best to turn to golden rays to give light to the procession. All the stars which Lord created came out to give light and the sky looked a gem studded sky. The sun was weeping under the horizon for not being able to give a bit of his golden rays on this golden day, to the statue, but it assisted the moon to provide light.

Malathi Perera

To be continued

Catholic Youth Day at Galgamuwa

Text and pictures by E. Weerapperuma

The Catholic Youth Day of the Kurunegala Catholic Diocese was held on September 2 at the meeting hall of St Benedict’s Church Galagamuwa.

Rev. Fr. Ananda Weerakoon the Director Yourh Apostolate of the Diocese said that the Youth of the Diocese had resolved to celebrate this year’s Youth Day in a remote locality within the diocese who hardly come to limelight and they chose Galgamuwa Parish as the venue to celebrate the Youth Day.

Fr. Weerakoon added that he really appreciated the resolution of the youth and encouraged the youth attending the seminar held as part of the day’s activity, to come forward from their hiding and to take leadership. The seminar they were attending would give them the necessary strength and courage to identify their latent –hidden talents.

Introducing the speaker of the day Samantha Herath, Fr. Weerakoon invited the youth to enhance their knowledge with the wealth of information they would be privilege to gather actively participating at the seminar.

The annual feast of St. Lazarus’ Church, Kurukulawa

In a peaceful atmosphere and pleasant surroundings of Kurukulawa, there's a beautiful church devoted to St. Lazarus. Having services in a cadjan shaded hall earlier, it has now been converted into this existing church.

The church land was donated by K.D. Bastrain Nanayakkara. The construction of the church and the laying foundation stone was done with the leadership and guidance of Rev. Fr. J.B. Sampayo. Construction was completed in 1926. The church has achieved this position with the efforts and dedication of Rev fathers who were the administrators of the parish.

The dedicated service rendered by Rev fathers namely J.B. Sampayo, Fabian Fernando Sisira Kumara, Amil Gomes and Ruwandana Mendis are greatly honoured and remembered for many more years to come. St. Lazarus whose was the closet friend of Jesus. St Lazarus had two sisters named Martha and Marza. Lazarus fell sick and died when Jesus returned to them it was four days after his death and burial Martha and Maria went to Jesus and revealed that their brother had died.

Jesus felt very sad. Jesus prayed to god and rose him to life. Witnessing this grate miracle many among those who were present believing in Jesus became followers of his St. Lazarus after his resurrection lived a very holy life dedicated to Jesus in his mission. St. Lazarus is the patriot saint of sea fareres and devotees pray to him for epidemic and sickness.

The present Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Prasad Ponnamperuma has dedicated himself totally to the uplift of this Parish and people. At present he is planning to have a retreat with sermons to prepare the Parishioners for the feast. The annual feast was held on September 2.

Padminie Nanayakkara