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Christian Perspectives
Pilgrimage to the holy mountain
Sripathy Jayaratne
We were in our early twenties. Five roman Catholics. We were to join
some friends on a pilgrimage to the holy mountain Sri Pada. My mother
was very happy. A retired teacher. She was our advisor. We were to leave
for the starting point of the bus from home.
“You all are going to a very sacred place. Something new to you. No
joking be a port of the ready. I suggest that you meditate on the walk
up to the summit of calvary by our Lord Jesus. Compare your climb to
that of his when you reach the summit, I am sure you will experience an
atmosphere of love. Lord Buddha and our Lord Jesus will bless you.”
My beloved mother was happy that Doyne was also in the group. We had
advised him to stay back. He had only my mother to back him. He was
determined. Yes his girth was only a few centimeters less than his
height. Terribly obese.
When we reached Idikatupahana. Doyne was beyond speech and walking.
He was perspiring in the bitter cold. He slithered on to a seat. We were
concerned. Leaving him in the care of the mudalali of the kiosk, we
continued our climb. We paid our respects of the Sri Pathula rang the
traditional bell once, signifying our first visit to the holy place.
Two forty in the morning, we were qiddled up, awaiting to witness the
awe inspiring sun rise or Irasewayo. One of our friends nudged. Look he
said. All of us looked. What we saw was something that we would never
ever forget. We were speechless. Thrilled there, was our Doyne carrying
an elderly lady in his arms just setting foot on the Summit of love. We
ran up to him. The lady thanked him. So did all those who had come with
her. They blessed Doyne. Doyne was in tears. So were we. So were a few
from our nadey who was in tears. So were we. So were a few from our
nadey who were there.
“I saw this sweet old lady. I felt so ashamed,” said Doyne. “So I
carried this beautiful grandmother from Idikatupahana right up to here.
He sixty second visit. A live commentary about her first to the present.
She was in raptures that a Catholic was carrying her. “It may be my
last” she had confided in Doyne. Doyne was once again with her. “Please,
I have to be with her, she wanted me to carry her while she rings the
bell sixty two times.
She wanted to hear and see me ring the bell to tell the world that it
was my first. What an unforgettable scene. Her people were in tears.
Here was a vivacious and charming grandmother of seventy one carried by
a fat Catholic youngster and giving her the ultimate jay of a new
happening. I felt of should I say all those who witnessed this wonderful
happening felt that it was indeed a beautiful day in the eyes of the
Buddha and Jesus Christ.
Doyne said,” I carried our grandmother the summit simulating the
wondrous cross that our lord carried up the calvary, look you chaps, I
can even carry her to the top of Everest provided Lord Buddha and our
Jesus is up there to welcome us.” Doyne cried and laughed. A very
enlightened Nadey left the summit.
We were all at my home. My mother, bless her, was so happy. Chubby
Doyne said that he would soon be like us, slim and active.
“Children said my late mother your walk up to Sri Pada has made you
all so elated.” She said our country will be looked after by both Lord
Buddha and Lord Jesus.
The lady whom Doyne had carried had requested her kin, that we be
intimated of her passing away. They did. We were all present when she
was confined to the flames Doyne cried most.
Outlines of 16 documents Vatican II
While the Vatican Council II (1962 -1965) sessions were on, the late
Rev. Fr. D J Anthony OMI, the Oblate Priest, began translating directly
from Latin every document released from the Office of the Vatican
Council II, and by the end of the Council Fr. Anthony was with the
Sinhala Translation of the 16 documents, ready for print as 16 booklets.
 The
work of translating the said documents was assigned to Fr. Anthony by
the then Archbishop of Colombo Most Rev. Dr. Thomas B Cooray OMI, His
Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray OMI.
Thanks to the initiative and efforts of the ‘Committee of the Godage
Catholic Book Project’ headed by Rev. Fr. Ernest Poruthota, 50 years
after the Vatican Council II, the 16 documents now come as one volume
providing the access to the keen reader to read in lucid and clear
Sinhala language. The original 16 Sinhala documents have been re-edited
by veteran linguist Cyril Enderamulla to suit the contemporary reader.
The English copy is authored by Virginia Mary Heffernan. The present
book fulfills a decades-long need.
The primary goal of the Vatican II was to update Catholic doctrine
and practices to achieve harmony with various discoveries and
advancements which had occurred during the past centuries. The Pontiff
wanted to be sure that the Church was not left behind due to
inappropriate adherence to outdated ideas.
The main thrust of the Vatican Council II was renewal; a new
Pentecost. The luminaries of the day the think tank of the universal
church inspired the deliberations of Vatican II. The invigorating
thinking on the Church in the Modern World, on Liturgical Enculturation,
on Non-Christian Religions, on Formation to the Priesthood, etc. called
the universal and local Churches to allow the fresh breeze of Vatican II
to fill the hearts and minds of all adherents.
Vatican News Service reported that His Holiness Pope Benedict 16th in
His homily at the Golden Jubilee Holy Mass urged the faithful to return
to the “letter” and “authentic spirit” of the documents of the Vatican
Council II, without relying on the distorted spirit promoted by those
who saw in Vatican II a radical reform away from the Church's tradition.
“The Council did not formulate anything new in matters of faith, nor
did it wish to replace what was ancient, but was concerned with seeing
that the same faith might continue to be lived in the present day, that
it might remain a living faith in a world of change.”
The Pontiff decided to mark the 50th anniversary of the Council with
the launch of a “Year of Faith,” precisely to remind Christians of what
the Council truly taught and seek to “re-evangelize” those Catholics who
have fallen away from their faith in the decades since.
“It was a splendid day on October 11, 1962,” the Pope wrote in a
forward to a commemorative book published this week by the Vatican
newspaper. “It was a moment of extraordinary expectation. Great things
were about to happen.”
Indeed, by its conclusion in 1965, the Council had approved documents
allowing for the celebration of Mass in the vernacular rather than
Latin, and revolutionizing the church's relations with Jews, Muslims and
people of other faiths. Yet as great as that document on relations with
other faiths was, Benedict wrote, a “weakness” has emerged in the
ensuing years in that “it speaks of religion solely in a positive way
and it disregards the sick and distorted forms of religion” that have
become all too apparent.
“The Outlines of the 16 documents provide a convenient guide to their
contents. The texts themselves are intended to serve as the basis for
the renewal at every level of sophistication in Christian life and in
the world” wrote Virginia Mary Heffernan.
“Our task now is to apply the Constitutions, Decrees and Declarations
be effective not only in all phases of institutional life of the Church
but also aims of the Council be effective in the hearts, minds and souls
of all people of God”, wrote Most Rev. Walter P. Kellenberg, Bishop of
Rockville Centre in His introduction to the book.
His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray OMI, as the Colombo Archbishop,
participated in the deliberations of the Council and in his note to the
book stated that most vital among the 16 documents were one on Church,
the Light of the World and document dealing with the place and role of
the Laity. The two other documents are those dealing with teaching and,
the other was witnessing to Christ in the world.
Rev. Fr. Ernest Poruthota in his introduction to the present book,
while paying tribute to late Fred, J. Anthony, appreciate the readiness
shown by Sirisumana Godage to publish the book on time to coincide with
the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Vatican Council II in the
country.
Fr. Poruthota also recalls that Blessed Pope John 23rd formally
inaugurated the Vatican II, 90 days after assuming the office of the
Shepherd of the Universal Church. Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was elected
as Pope John 23rd on October 28, 1958. He opened the doors of the church
wide and invited even the critique to come with proposals for renewal.
He allowed the free flow of ideas, that was the style of Pope John and
that attitude astonished the others.
Blessed Pope John 23rd pontificate though limited to five years, He
remains as one of the popularly beloved Popes in the contemporary
history of the Church. He would be perhaps better known for convening
the Vatican Council II, which differed from the previous Councils. The
Council Pope John 23rd initiated was not meant to correct some doctrinal
errors but He envisaged a Council which would be positive, promote
mercy, faith and emphasize the pastoral role of the Church and not
strict adherence to a new statement of orthodoxy .
The book will be a useful tool in the hands of the university
students offering Christianity and Christian Culture as a subject and to
those undergraduates at the Blessed Joseph Vaz centres in several
Catholic Dioceses in the country studying for the Bachelorette in
Theology, to have a better understanding of the teachings of the Vatican
Council II.
They need not go hunting for photo copied copies now as they could
have access to the “Outlines of the 16 Documents - Vatican II” in both
Sinhala and English complied into one book.
Wiruma
Jesus, born to redeem our lives
His Lordship, Bishop of Chilaw in a very moving sermon, especially
for the young, made an emotional statement when he addressed them on the
eve of Christmas that touched the young hearts. Amidst all the joy that
awaited the celebration of the evening. The Bishop of Chilaw, the Rt.
Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis set aside his usual oratory prowess, spoke to
his young sheep as well as their friends and parents who had gathered at
the John Paul II Institution for Higher Education to celebrate the
Nativity as well as the carols.
His Lordship spoke in beautiful lyrical English to deliver the
Christmas message. He was their chief Guest and didnt’ the young love
him? It was evident as he came in to the auditorium.
The Lord Bishop further emphasized its importance as this event is
celebrated globally. But he said “it ends up like the last flicker in
the candle as it goes down. This should not be so. No doubt, Christmas
brings all of us together and wipes away many misunderstandings which we
may have had and this spirit should continue. Then and then only will
Christmas become the fore-runner to the great sacrifice He will follow
up with to lay down His life for us.’
Amidst all the joy and excitement that lay for the evening, this was
a moving moment for all those present. There was a pin drop silence as
Bishop Mendis quoted the Holy Bible.
‘Jesus spoke to the pharisees again I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows. Me will have the light of life and will never walk in
darkness’ JOHN 8-12.
Speaking further he said, ‘Why do people go astray? Why do nations
rise one against the other; why do we lose our spirituality? It is all
because of human greed for money and power. However, if we are
courageous enough to look upon our Saviour to direct us on the right
path, our world will be a better place to live. We are happy at His
birth but our happiness must be focused on the mission of His birth.
Since our words reflect the condition of our hearts, what we say and
do provide the basis for judgment; However I say, continue to love your
enemies though it will be trying, but once you make up your mind to do
so, Jesus Christ's sacrifice would not have been in vain.
We must not drive those nails harder on to the cross and do do that,
we must look at his birth compassionately. His Lordship turned to the
Holy Bible again.
“Whoever believes in Me, believes not only in Me but also in Him who
sent Me I have come with into the world as light so that everyone who
believes in Me should not remain in darkness” (John 12, 44), the
Shepherd of our flock advised.
The Rector of the Jpihe thanked the Lord who had braved the extreme
weather that lashed Chilaw on this particular day to come and share the
joy and love of these youngsters who had eagerly awaited him. Rector,
Neville Coonghe outlined the Jpihe's next year's study course with
additional subjects to further strengthen their syllabus.
Gwen Heart
Jesus – The Revelation
Miran Perera
The Holy Bible show us the importance of serving the Lord through
treating, listening and dedication our lives of His service. God
appreciates and rewards all those who serve Him, with dedication and
love whether we should treat, listen or else perform something to the
Lord which depends on the needs and its context.
The saviour Jesus Christ is not for the Jews alone, but for the
gentiles as well. The gentiles are on a par with the Jewish converts in
the mystical body of Christ the church. Earlier, the understanding was
that salvation was only for the chosen race the Jews, but now it is
meant for all mankind. This is signified in the feast of Epiphany when
the Lord revealed himself to the gentiles.
When Jesus called the Apostles they had to leave everything behind
and follow Him immediately. That is what He said to the young man who
wanted to follow Jesus. He said; “Let the dead bury the dead, you go..
‘Anyone who starts to plough and then looks back...’ Therefore, when we
have to choose between God and man we have first to choose God and only
after that we have to choose man. St Paul describes what Christ is and
what He did for us on the cross and therefore deserves to be King of all
hearts and King of the universe.
‘In Him were created all things in heaven and on earth everything
visible and everything invisible (Col. 1:16). In John's gospel we see
the same thing being said; ‘Through Jesus Christ, God made all things
and there is nothing which was made without him.’ (Jn. 1:3) Paul also
says ‘Christ holds all things in unity (1:17). What St Paul is telling
us is that if Christ were to stop His loving care for creation for one
single moment; The world and all of us would cease to exist. Who is the
President or ruler or king who can say ‘It is I who brought you into
life. Without me you cannot exist.
Jesus lived fully in his body. He embraced young and old, placing his
hands on sinners, offering no resistance to the head of John on his
breast or to the sensation of Mary's hair on his naked feet. When Jesus
reached for His special friends in the most human of ways and yearned as
well all do for intimacy He was unleashing and revealing the true nature
of God incarnate and for Children to be lifted up on to the back or
shoulders or hips of Jesus was to be playing with God, to be hugged and
kissed by Him was to be hugged and kissed by God.
The tempo of His heart was always in time and time with the divine
rhythm. Incredibly it is the same with us (9Jn. 14:12). Incarnations
reveals that the many expressions of human love are pulsing with God's
love too. Christ Jesus is King. He is the King of Kings not only because
of who He is but because of what He did. He died for us. He redeemed us.
He reunited us with God. But let us not forget what Christ did on the
night before He died on the cross.
He knew that He was going to suffer and die. He also knew that His
hour of glory was near. But what did He do? He washed His disciples
feet. Why? Because true love is always like that. He knew that He was
Lord of all and yet He washed his disciples feet. He did a servants job
and proved that He was the servant of all. It is this act of Jesus
washing His disciples feet which explains why He is our Lord and King
and why He went to the cross to save us. It was love that led Jesus to
the cross to suffer and die for us and save us from our sins.
Of the Kingdom of God and of the coming of the Son of man Prophet
Daniel had a vision. This vision he elaborates – ‘Behold with the clouds
of heaven there came one like the Son of man and He came to the ancient
of days and was presented before Him.
To him was given dominion, glory and kingdom and all people. Nations
and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion
which shall not pass away and His Kingdom is one that shall not be
destroyed. In this vision the appearance of the Son of man is seen and
we are reminded of our responsibility to the one who serves us and make
us partakers of the Kingdom. Though the Son of man is no more present
with us the Bible reminds us of His second coming in glory. It says;
Behold He is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him.
To be continued
Storms of life
Shelter in the Arms of Our Saviour
In the Bible Cornithians two remind us I say;
Trust not ourselves but in God – come what may
Your journey has been too much to bear
Bone weary, exhausted: None to care.
It gives us an opportunity to Him rush – call
To take charge of us one and all
When our journey is tough exhausted – At that hour
He will aid us by his loving, great power
He showed His power that day
By His resurrection which came our way
He will demonstrate His power once more
When He raises loved one's to the Eternal Shore.
“When life's journey gets so difficult
That it feels too much to bear,
Remember we don't walk alone -
Our Mighty God is there”.
Norma Perera |
