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Sunday, September 23, 2012

"શ્રદ્ધાના દ્વાર" પ્રેષિતિક પત્ર - પાસટ્રલ સેન્ટર નડિયાદ

તા 21-09 2012 શનિવારના રોજ  પાસટ્રલ  સેન્ટર નડિયાદ ખાતે પૂજ્ય બીશપશ્રી થોમાસ મેકવાનની ઉપસ્થી સાથે ભવ્ય મિટિંગનું આયોજન કરવામાં આવ્યું હતું . 

જમણી બાજુથી  રેવ. ફા. ટાયટસ ડીકોસ્તા અને  રેવ. ફા. વિનાયક જાદવ એસ.જે.
આ મિટીંગમાં ધર્મજનો, પુરોહિતગણ અને સાધ્વી બહેનોની હાજરીથી મિટિંગમાં પ્રોત્સાહન આપતો  માહોલ બની રહ્યો હતો. આ મિટિંગનો મુખ્ય આશય શ્રદ્ધાવર્ષની ઘોષણા અને તે માટેનું પુર્વ આયોજનનો રહ્યો હતો. મિટિંગની શરૂયાતમાં રેવ. ફા. ટાયટસ ડીકોસ્તા દ્વારા મહેમાનોનું બહુમાન કરવામાં આવ્યું હતું . આ પ્રસંગે  મહેમાનોમાં નાની દીકરીઓના મધર જનરલ સિસ્ટર મેરી, રેવ ફાધર જોસ  ચંગનાચેરી એસ.જે.  (ઇસુસંઘ ગુજરાતના પ્રાંતપતિ) રેવ. ફા. રોકી પિંટો (વિકાર જનરલ અમદાવાદ ડીઓ) રહ્યા હતા.

આ મિટીંગમાં રેવ. ફા. વિનાયક એસ. જે. દ્વારા નામદાર વડાધર્મગુરુએ  શ્રદ્ધાવર્ષની ઉજવણી કેવી રીતે કરવી તે માટે પાઠવેલ  "શ્રદ્ધાના દ્વાર"  પ્રેષિતિક પત્રની વિસ્તારભરી સમજુતી આપી હતી( આ પત્ર ગુજરાતીમાં ટુંક સમયમાં બી.બી.એન.માં રજુ કરવામાં આવશે)


અંતે મિટિંગ દરમ્યાન એકત્રિત સર્વે તરફથી શ્રદ્ધાવર્ષને વધાવી લેવા તેમજ ઘરે ઘરે શ્રદ્ધા સંકોરવા માટેનો એકમત  મળ્યો હતો.



News and photo
BBN

    

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Marian Congress at St. Mary's School-Nadiad

Our Mother Mary by Rev. Fr. Francis Parmar S.J.

Please click on he video

તા .19-09-2012 ના રોજ સેન્ટ મેરીઝ સ્કુલ, નડિયાદ ખાતે એક દિવસ માટે મરિયમ પરિષદનું આયોજન કરવામાં આવ્યું હતું  આ શુભ અવસરે  અમદાવાદ ધર્મપ્રાંતમાંથી 3800 ધર્મજનો ભેગા થયા હતા

અહી રેવ બીશપ થોમસ મેકવાન દ્વારા દીપ પ્રગટાવી પરિષદનો શુભ આરંભ કર્યો હતો  ત્યાર બાદ પીઢ  મિશનરી રેવ  ફા ગાલ્દોસ એસ જે , રેવ ફા ફ્રાન્સીસ પરમાર એસ જે, રેવ ફા પરેશ પરમાર( ગુલાબમાળાના મર્મો વિશેની ઊંડાણભરી માહિતી આપી હતી)  દ્વારા પવિત્ર મારિયાના મહિમા અર્થે પોતાના વક્તવ્યોથી  સમજુતી આપવામાં આવી હતી

મરિયમ પરિષદનો બીજો તબક્કો સ્નેહભોજન બાદ રેવ ફા  ઈગ્નાસ કાનીસ એસ જે દ્વારા માતા  મરિયમનો મહિમા કરતી કથા તેમની ટીમ સાથે રજુ કરી, સર્વેને પવિત્ર મારિયાનો પ્રભુ પ્રત્યેનો પ્રેમરસ  અને ભક્તિરસ પાયો હતો

અંતે  બીશપ થોમસ મેકવાન દ્વારા ભવ્ય ખ્રિસ્ત યજ્ઞ અર્પણ કરવામાં આવ્યો હતો આ પ્રસંગે હાજર રહેલ પુરોહિતવર્ગ સાધ્વી બહેનો તથા ધર્મજનોએ ભક્તિભાવથી ભાગ લઇ વિદાઈ લીધી હતી

આ ઊજવણી માટે રેવ ફા  ટોની, રેવ ફા સંદીપ (પેટલાદ) રેવ ફા ટાયટસ (બાલાસિનોર)  રેવ ફા રોકી પિંટો, રેવ ફા બ્રીટ્ટો (નડિયાદ) અને દરેક પુરોહિતગણ, સાધ્વીગણ,આગળ પડતા ભક્તજનો તથા સોકોમ મેમ્બર્સ (SOCOM)નો સક્રિય ફાળો રહ્યો હતો

આ ઉજવણીમાં આપવામાં આવેલ વક્તવ્યો દરરોજ વીડિઓ ફોર્મેટમાં બી બી એન ઉપર રજુ કરીશું

News By
SOCOM (Social Communication Commission) Ahmedabad Dio.

Photos and Videos 
BBN 

         



Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Rev. Fr. Francis Parmar - Mariyam Parishad



- BBN

Sunday, September 16, 2012

A Tribute To Late Shri Dr. Arvind Macwan

16-Sep is his birthday. He was born on 16-Sep-1953 and passed away on 06-April-2003
Late Dr. Arvind Macwan

સ્વ. શ્રી ડૉ. અરવિંદ મેકવાનનો જન્મ તા 16-09-1953 ના રોજ સાવલી તાલુકાના ટુંડાવ ગામે થયો હતો. સેન્ટ ઝેવિયર્સ કોલેજ, અમદાવાદમાં અભ્યાસ બાદ એમ. એ ની પદવી વડોદરામાં આવેલ  એમ. એસ. યુનિ. માંથી મેળવી ત્યાજ વ્યાખ્યાતાની વરણી પામ્યા હતા. 2003માં તેમના અકાળ મૃત્યુથી પડેલ ઊંડી ખોટ સંસ્કારી સંગીતની અને શિક્ષણની દુનીયામાં હમેશા સાલતી રહેશે. 

તેમના જીવનકાળ દરમ્યાન તેઓ  યુવાનો માટે મોડલરૂપ બન્યા તો ઘણાને આર્થિક મદદ કરી પગભેર કર્યા. તેમણે ગુજરાતની ધર્મસભામાં અસંખ્ય ભજનો તથા સ્વર રચનાઓ આપી ઉત્તમ ફાળો આપ્યો છે.  ભજનો જેવા કે, "તવ કરુણાનું ગીત પ્રભુજી...", "પળે પળે કરીશ હું  તો પ્રભુજીના ગાન...", "હે મુજ, ઈશ્વર શીદ તરછોડી દીધો...", "મુજ હે બાળક સાંભળ વચન..."  અને ખાસ તો તેમના સ્વરમાં ગવાયેલ " ઓ દિલ ઈસુના પ્રેમાળ આશિષ આપજે તું આ વાર"  આ અમુલ્ય ભજનો હજી આજે પણ ખ્રિસ્તયજ્ઞમાં, સાંજની સમુહ પ્રાર્થનાઓમાં એમ પ્રસંગોપાત ગવાતા રહ્યા છે. આ ભજનો જયારે ગાતા-ગવાતા અને સાંભળવા મળે ત્યારે સ્વ. શ્રી ડૉ. અરવિંદ મેકવાનની યાદ તાજી થઇ જાય છે.  

આજે તેમના જન્મ દિવસ ટાણે આવો,તેમને શ્રધાંજલિ અર્પીએ
    
Please click on video




તેમના વિષે વધુ માહિતી ગુજરાતીમાં મેળવવા માટે નીચે આપેલ  ફાઈલ વાંચશો. "અરવિંદ સૌરભ" જે સ્વ ડૉ અરવિંદ મેકવાનના વિચાર વિમર્શ રજુ કરતુ પુસ્તક છે જેમાં જાણીતા પુજનીય લેખક સ્વ. શ્રી જોસેફ મેકવાને પોતાની લાગણીઓ અને નજીકતા પુસ્તકની પ્રસ્તાવનામાં ઢાળી હતી તે અહી રજુ કરીએ છીએ.
         
Please click to read an introduction of Late Dr. Arvind Macwan by renowned writer Late Shri Joseph Macwan in Gujarati.


Please click the above link for larger view
વાંચવાની સરળતા માટે ઉપરની લીંક ઉપર ક્લિક કરશો

Please click to read an introduction of Late Dr. Arvind Macwan by Shri Yakub Parmar in English Shri Yakub parmar was one of his close friends and he was with him till the death of Late Shre Dr. Macwan in Cancer Hospital, Ahmedabad.




Photo and music courtesy
Gurjarvani

Special Thanks to
Magdaline Arvind Macwan (Wife of Late Dr.Macwan)
Steve Philips (Son of Late Dr.Macwan)
Agnesben R. Vaghela
Mr. Ramesh Vaghela (Retired Judge)
Mr.Ramesh Y Parmar

Saturday, September 15, 2012

TAKING JESUS SERIOUSLY_Sunday Gospel Reflection

TWENTY FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)
Mark 8, 27-35

 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ. ’” Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

TAKING JESUS SERIOUSLY
José Antonio Pagola
English translation Rev. Fr.Valentine de Souza S.J
Rev. Fr.Valentine de Souza S.J 
 The episode at Caesarea Philippi occupies a central place in Mark’s Gospel. After Jesus lived with his disciples for some time, he asks them a crucial question: “Who do you say I am?” Peter unhesitatingly answers in the name of all: “You are the Christ.” At last, it seems, everything is clear. Jesus is the Messiah sent by God and the disciples follow him to work with him.
 Jesus knows that this is not the whole truth. They have still to learn something very important. It is easy to profess faith in Jesus in words, but they yet do not know what it means to follow him closely by cooperating in his project and sharing his destiny. Mark says that Jesus “began to teach them.” It is not one more lesson, but something fundamental which the disciples will have to be assimilating little by little.
 From the beginning he speaks to them “plainly”. He does not want to hide anything from them. They must understand that suffering will accompany them always in their task of opening paths to the kingdom of God. In the end, he will be condemned by the religious leaders and will die a violent death. Only at his resurrection will they see that God is with him.

 Peter refuses to accept what he is hearing. You can hardly believe his reaction. He takes Jesus aside by himself to remonstrate with him. He had been the first to profess him as the Messiah. Now he is the first to reject him. He wants to make Jesus understand that what he is saying is absurd. He is not ready to see him follow that road. Jesus has to change his way of thinking.

 Jesus reacts with unknown harshness. Suddenly he begins to see in Peter the characteristics of Satan, the tempter in the desert who wants to draw people away from the will of God. He turns to face his disciples and literally rebukes Peter with these words: “Get behind me, Satan!”; take your place as a disciple once again. Stop tempting me. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

 He then calls the people and his disciples to listen well to what he is going to say. He will repeat it on various occasions. They must never forget it. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

 No one is obliged to follow Jesus. It’s each one’s free decision. But we must take Jesus seriously. Casual professions wont do. If we want to follow him in his passionate task of bringing about a more human world, a world of dignity and happiness, we have to be ready for two things: firstly, to give up projects or plans opposed to the kingdom of God. Secondly, to accept the sufferings that befall us as we follow Jesus and identify ourselves with his cause.

Help people to take Jesus seriously


Jose Antonio Pagola, vgentza@euskalnet.net , San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain.
English Translation by Valentine de Souza S.J. Mandal, Gujarat , India.394650

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

“Milkman of India,” _Late Dr. Varghese Kurien


  Late Dr. Varghese Kurien “Father of the white revolution” and “Milkman of India,” the octogenarian was architect of ‘Operation Flood,” the largest dairy development program in the world. Dr. Kurien set up the Anand (County in Gujarat state of India) cooperative dairy development, engineered the white revolution and made India the largest milk producer in the world. Dr. Kurien, a master in science in Mechanical engineering from Michigan State University had set the rural economy of an Indian state in a momentum that never saw recession ever since 1949. He set up a processing plant for an infant cooperative milk producer’s union and marked the birth of grass-root development of dairy farmers in India.

 AMUL’s logo with four intertwined hands and “No co-operation, no salvation” motto is a symbol of corporate determination. AMUL is no more a dairy; it’s a myth in India’s economic history. If Milk is vital energy, AMUL is a social synergy. Millions of Indian farmers dreamt touching the stars but AMUL brought a whole milky way down to their door step. Thanks to the solitary Michigan master of mechanics.

- BBN


 Late Dr.Varghese Kurien was a great friend of Rev. Bro. Abril S.J. Please click the video for the interview of Bro. Abril S.J. and the interview of his closest employee Mr. Francis Mascarenhas.

Please click on the video



Click the below given video for slow internet




 There are a few instances and experiences which I have heard from him as a friend -not always published in the media- which depict a bit more he "simple and utterly honest person he was at a personal level, yet ferrous in implementing his convictions."  In one of his latest interviews to the electronic media, when he received his last award, he was asked what he thinks that could be the secret to achieved all this "formidable" result in his life (white revolution, largest cooperative system in the world etc.) his answer was simple: "INTEGRITY". That is, I believe, the best expression of the Dr. Kurien I know as a "friend". He was a man of absolute integrity.

 From the beginning of his carrier as the milkman, Dr. Kurien won the total confidence and backing of the highest leaders of the country, -which he kept all along his active life- such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai and later on Advaniji several CMs of Gujarat etc. He respected and befriended them and cooperated fully with them to achieve his dream of making the farmers the owners of "AMUL" etc. But he stood firm when, on some occasion, he was asked to do something which went against his principles and convictions. When besides the milk, NDDB started marketing oil under the name of "Dhara" he got many enemies who had much to lose if the project succeeded. In fact, one of the persons whom he trusted and who cooperated with Dr. Kurien was Mr. Chhotani. On one occasion Chhotani was traveling by train and he was thrown out of the train by the -so was believed- opponents of the "Dhara" project. Mr. Chhotani survived but the incident did not intimidate Mr. Kurien who, many believed, could be the next target. It is to be noted that Dr. Kurien did not accept any bodyguard or personal protection at any time because he believed in his destiny and never lost his peace. But his oil project has also been a great success, thanks to his conviction and determination and his unquestionable support to his people against any outside interference.

 On one occasion I went to pay a visit to the Kuriens at their house. We were enjoying a cup of coffee when suddenly he got a phone call. All that I could hear from him was "yes, "no Sir" with absolute calm. When he put down the phone and re-joined us he said: "it was the CM requesting me to change the price of oil"... What did you say? -I asked him. "I said that I cannot change it" was his reply. And we went on with our coffee and our conversation. 

 Sometimes ago Dr. Kurien was appointed as Vice-chancellor of the Agricultural University, Anand. He reluctantly accepted the charge because he believed that the institution needed reforms which, possibly, he would not be allowed to do, at least to the level that he would have done. On one occasion some highly posted politician wished to have a function in the university campus to foster his own name and personality. Dr. Kurien thought that it wasn't necessary and besides it was against his principles and convenience of the university. Naturally he did not give the permission, in spite of great pressure and, as far as I remember, the function was never held at the University premises. By that time, due to this and other political interferences, Dr. Kurien was convinced that he could not carry his reformations and so he resigned from the post.

From Left: His daughter, wife and grand son  
 Dr. Kurien's only daughter, Nirmala, had finished her carrier and she applied for a job in NCDFI, a subsidiary of the AMUL family. Dr. Kurien was the chairman. When he came to know that Nirmala was given a Job in NCDFI he resigned. This created a real crisis. When asked why did he do that, his answer was simple: "my daughter has full right to find a job and build her life. But I do not wish to be the Charmin in the institution where she works" (or be pointed a finger for favoritism)... Naturally, Nirmala resigned and went to Madras to find a job, far from... Anand.

 On some other occasions Dr.Kurien became even more personal and, on my asking some confidential question, he explained to me how he had built the house he owns in Anand. He candidly admitted that he had an opportunity which he reluctantly accepted. The Law of "ceiling of urban land" was proclaimed in Gujarat. The Princess of Vadodara, who considered Dr. Kurien as a friend, offered a plot of the land she had to dispose of, to Dr. Kurien. At first he refused but on the insistence of the Princess he purchased it for about Re. four lacs. Within a short time that land was sold by him for Rs. 20 lacs and with that money he could build his house.


 About one year ago I had to travel to Madras for some business. Dr. and Mrs. kurien were there for him to recover from his sickness. I paid them a visit and had a nice evening with them. Nirmala has a "decent" (not spectacular) flat in Madras. It cost about Rs. 40 lacs. She confided to me that her father had not money to purchase it, so he had to take a "loan from his Provident Fund". Nirmala remarked: “Things could have different if my father had been other person”... Yes, It is not easy to find persons who manage billions or dollars/rupees as Dr. Kurien did, and resist the temptation of adding some to their personal accounts… But he would never go against his principles. And he knew that Mrs. Kurien and Nirmala stood by the same principles and supported him fully.

 Before putting these things into print or the media, I asked the consent of Nirmala and her mother to make these things public. They kindly agreed and Nirmala added something that I did not know: "even today my father does not own a car"... And again: "He proclaimed himself an atheist, but he was always guided by the Christian principles that he learnt along his studies in Christian schools and college(Loyola College,Madras, TN) ". Indeed, I am witness to the many times that he spoke to me of his experience in Loyola College, Madras, where he graduated under the guidance, experience and principles of some French and Indian Jesuits which, no doubt, influenced him for the rest of his life...  I wish that there were more KURIENS in India and elsewhere… 

Saul Abril SJ
Saint. Xavier's High School
Anand, Gujarat 388 001

Special thanks to Mr. Francis Mascarenhas
Photos: Mr. Ramesh Y. Parmar and BBN
Photo Design: BBN

Saturday, September 8, 2012

HEAL DEAFNESS_Sunday Gospel Reflection

TWENTY THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)
Mark 7, 31-37

Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.
 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk and they begged him to place his hand on the man.
 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”). 
 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

HEAL DEAFNESS
José Antonio Pagola
English Translation by Fr.Valentine de Souza S.J.


Rev.Fr.Valentine de Souza S.J.
  Mark tells the story of the healing of a deaf and dumb man with the clear intention of teaching a lesson. The sick man is a very special case. He neither hears nor speaks. He is locked within himself hardly able to communicate with anyone. He doesn’t know that Jesus is passing by, close to him. It is other people who lead him to the Prophet.

 The behavior of Jesus, too, is special. He does not place his hands on him as requested, but takes him aside and leads him to a prívate place apart from the people. There he works intensely first on his ears and then his tongue. He wants the sick man to experience his healing touch. Only a deep encounter with Jesus will be able to cure such an intractable deafness.

 It seems all that effort is insufficient. The deafness wont go away. Then Jesus has recourse to the Father, source of all salvation. Looking up to heaven he sighs and shouts only one word at the sick man: “Effeta”. That is, “Be opened.” This is the only word Jesus speaks in the whole story. It is not directed to the ears of the deaf man but to his heart.

 Without doubt Mark wants this word of Jesus to echo strongly in the Christian communities that will read his story. He knows that some people are deaf to the Word of God, Christians who are not open to the Good News of Jesus and do not speak to anybody of their faith. Deaf and dumb communities that hardly listen to the Gospel and communicate it poorly.

 One of the most serious sins of Christians is perhaps this deafness. We do not take time to listen to the Gospel of Jesus. Our hearts are not open to receive his message. So we do not know how to listen with patience and compassión to the suffering of so many people , who receive hardly any affection or care from anyone.

 At times you could say that the Church Jesus brought forth to proclaim his Good News, goes its own way, far from the reality of the worries, fears, struggles and hopes of the people. If we do not listen well to the call of Jesus, we will not infuse a message of hope in the lives of those who suffer.

 There is something paradoxical in some pronouncements of the Church. She teaches great truths, proclaims very positive messages, but they do not touch the hearts of people. Something of the kind is happening in these times of crisis. Society is not looking for “social doctrine” from experts, but listens attentively to a forthright message, inspired by the Gospel and proclaimed by a Church sensitive to the suffering of victims, a Church that instinctively goes to their aid inviting everyone to help those who need it most to live with dignity.

 Make the message of Jesus heard


Jose Antonio Pagola, vgentza@euskalnet.net , San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain.
English Translation by Valentine de Souza S.J. Mandal, Gujarat , India.394650


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Teacher's Day_ St. Xavier's School, Gamdi-Anand

 The second President of India, academic philosopher Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's birthdate is celebrated on every 5th-September in India. He was born on 5 September 1888. This day is celebrated as Teacher's Day in India especially in schools and colleges,

 Yesterday it was also celebrated at St.Xavier's School, Gamdi-Anand. The responsibility of teaching was taken up by the senior students to show appreciation for their teachers.

Please click on the video


 At the end of the celebration, the principal of the school Rev.Fr. Albert S.J. appreciated the students for their participation and gave thanksgiving.




Photos and News
BBN

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Hindi Bhajan

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- BBN

Monday, September 3, 2012

Marian quiz, Garba competition in Vadtal Parish

Garba Team, Rajnagar
Yesterday Vadtal church had organized Marian quiz for children, Garba competition for girls and women to bring parishioners together. All villagers got together on Sunday. The parish priest Rev. Fr. Martin SFX said that also they have novena for the Feast Of Mother Mary which is on 8th of this month. The winners of the Garba competition and Marian quiz, will be given prizes on the Feast Of Mother Mary. The competitions have made people come closer.  The parish is vibrant and a lot of people have come up to help the activities financially. (Garba competition was organized on 26-08-2012).
Marian quiz

Photo Courtesy
Fr. Martin SFX
Vadtal Church.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

GOD’S COMPLAINT

TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)
Mark 7, 1-8.14-15.21-23

The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were “unclean, that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles. )

So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’ hands?” He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”

Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.

All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’


Rev. Fr..Valentine de Souza S.J.
GOD’S COMPLAINT
José Antonio Pagola
English Translation by Fr..Valentine de Souza S.J.

A group of Pharisees approached Jesus intent on finding fault with Jesus. They don’t come alone. Some scribes from Jerusalem accompany them, undoubtedly on a mission to protect the orthodoxy of the simple peasants of the villages. What Jesus is doing is dangerous. It’s time to correct him.

They noted that in some respects, his disciples do not follow the tradition of the elders. Although they talk about the behavior of the disciples, their question is directed at Jesus, for they know it is he who has taught them to behave with that surprising freedom. Why?

 Jesus answers them with words of the prophet Isaiah that clarify very well his message and his behavior. We must listen attentively to these words with which Jesus identifies himself completely, because they touch upon something fundamental in our religion. According to the prophet, this is God’s complaint:“ These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
 
 This is always the danger of every religion: to worship God with the lips, repeating formulas, reciting psalms, mouthing beautiful words, while our hearts “are far from him.” However, the worship that pleases God springs from the heart, from an inner adherence, from the hidden depths of the person where all our decisions and plans are born.

“The worship they give me is empty.” When our hearts are far from God, our worship lacks content. Sincere listening to the Word of God, the love of neighbor lack life. Religion becomes something external, practiced as a habit, where the fruits of a life faithful to God are missing.

“Their teachings are but rules taught by men.” In every religion there are traditions that are human. Rules, customs, devotions arise to foster religion in a given culture. They can do much good. But they cause a lot of harm when they draw us away from the Word of God. They must never have priority.

Having quoted the prophet Isaiah, Jesus summarizes his thought with some very serious reflections: “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” When we blindly adhere to human traditions, we run the risk of forgetting the command of love and going astray from the following of Jesus, incarnate Word of God. In the Christian religion Jesus and his call to love are fundamental. Only then do our human traditions follow, however important they may seem to us. We must never forget what’s essential.

Encourage worship of God from the heart and life


Jose Antonio Pagola, vgentza@euskalnet.net , San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain.
English Translation by Valentine de Souza S.J. Mandal, Gujarat , India.394650

Jesuit Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini passed away

Thousands paid their respects at his coffin in Milan Cathedral on Saturday.

Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini
 Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini’s death has marked a huge loss the life of the Catholic Church in the last 30 years. Having been Archbishop of Milan for 22 years, Carlo Maria Martini was often considered as a sort of antagonist of John Paul II, the Pope who had chosen him as leader of the largest diocese in Europe and one of the most important dioceses in the world, at the age of fifty two.

Please click the below given link for more details

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Indian Christian Martyrs Day Commemorated

Indian Christian Martyrs Day Commemorated

Bhopal: 30-08-2012:
 
 Christians in Madhya Pradesh celebrated Indian Christian Martyrs Day. It was two faced commemoration, first face was on 26th August where people offered prayers for the people who sacrificed their lives for the sake of faith in Jesus Christ. The second face of the program was blood donation camp on 30th August. Memorial Service was held in Isai Mahasangh Head Quarter in Madhya Pradesh. The participants, recalled the suffering that the Christian community under going in the name of religion, we are trying to recall the suffering of Lord Jesus on the Cross.’

Isai Mahasangh, (Madhya Pradesh)
 The Blood Donation Camp was organized at Red Cross Hospital, Bhopal. Isai Mahasangh has been organizing the Blood Donation Camp for the last Four years. A large number of people participated in the program.
 Isai Mahasangh,(IMS), which is spearheading movement explained that Christianity began with the death and resurrection of Lord Jesus, His disciple St. Thomas came to India in 52 AD, He was also martyred, from then on there are many followers of Christ who died to save faith, we remember them all. It is the fourth year that we are commemorating the heroic sacrifice of those Christians who died for faith. The sacrifice of Christians of Khandmal is being remembered very specially.

Isai Mahasangh, (Madhya Pradesh)
  IMS State General Secretary Jerry Paul said,” martyrdom has become very important in the life of the Church from the beginning of Christianity.” He said that the prayer services began with offering floral tributes to the martyrs by the participants. They sang bhajan , red verses from Holy Bible and offered prayers.

 There has been suffering heaped up on women and children so IMS also remembered the women and children. We also remember and honour all those persons who are living with pain”, Said Richard James, Bhopal District President

 Media In-charge & Office Secretary John Anthony said,” even today there are over twenty thousand displaced people living due to Kandhamal communal riots. We need to take lessons from these communal problems. Religion must become a way to find God rather than becoming source of hatred.”

News and photos By

John Anthony
Media In-charge & Office Secretary
Isai Mahasangh, (Madhya Pradesh)