"Sainthood for Mother Teresa awaits 'acceptable miracle'" - so the title of the newspaper article went about the Catholic church's stand on conferring sainthood to one of the greatest saints ever lived. Of course, let the Catholic church do its due diligence to search for the supernatural miracle. However, really, why do we have to look for evidence of a miracle in the life of a woman whose life itself was a miracle? Miracle is indeed what is improbable and what happened. And when a chain of the improbables happen which gives life to many, that is the most improbable of the most improbables. A miracle. A saint.
Her coming to India was a miracle. She was not an Indian.
Her leaving a reasonably comfortable convent teaching life was a miracle.
Her ability to touch and love the untouchables, the lepers, the beggars, the dying in filthy attires - that was a miracle.
Her ability to inspire many others to do the same as what she was doing was a miracle.
Her missionaries of charity organization getting set up near and far helping millions of the poor was a miracle.
Her ability to generate so much of funds collectively was a miracle.
Her simple ability to bring smiles on the faces of the hopeless was a miracle.
Her re-living the life of Jesus in His compassion and love was indeed a miracle.
Mother Teresa was herself a miracle, since even after her death, she is living through the many who are inspired by her and are continuing the work.
Let us praise and thank God for her life, while the church continues to search for the 'acceptable miracle'
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
It's worth it - Let it take time !
In 1996, Madeline Albright, the then Ambassador from USA to UN, was asked about the effects of the air strikes in Iraq, which destroyed its fresh water supply, and resulted in the death of nearly half a million children which was much more than the number that died in Hirsohima, she replied saying the price is worth it for the cause of democracy. Whether she regreted the same later or not is the point. Neither is this blog an effort to demonize her. The whole point is about the perspective that any price is small to pay as long as it is someone else's children dying.
Development is worth it as long as someone else is losing their homes. Wider roads are fun to drive, and who cares whether trees had to be cut, and a few people had to move out to God knows where. A small price to pay for development.
War, is very unfortunate, but what other choice we had to put the nuclear bomb, to end the disastrous World War II. A small price to pay for peace ! And after all, didn't it help the Japanese to build up from the ashes? Maybe they should honour us!
Floods are overflowing. They say it is because of the trees we cut! Poor people. They are losing their homes. But what to do? It is a small price to pay for the dams that are giving us electricity. Let us collect donations and old clothes and send them. Thank God we are charitable!
After 14 years of Ms Albright's statement, and after 7 years of Iraqi invasion, after 1000 tonnes of depleted Uranium dumped in Iraq through US munitions (The Hindu, 23 Aug 2010), Paul Bremer III, the former Iraqi occupation administrator, said in an interview, "We can take a certain measure of satisfaction from the success in Iraq. It's not a complete success yet, obviously, but building democracy takes time". And we are satisified !
Building democracy takes time. Indeed it does.
As long as my children are safe, let it take time.
As long as I have my money coming in, let it take time.
As long as I live in mansions, let it take time.
After all, we need democracy, don't we? Let's not hurry it. Let it take time!
Development is worth it as long as someone else is losing their homes. Wider roads are fun to drive, and who cares whether trees had to be cut, and a few people had to move out to God knows where. A small price to pay for development.
War, is very unfortunate, but what other choice we had to put the nuclear bomb, to end the disastrous World War II. A small price to pay for peace ! And after all, didn't it help the Japanese to build up from the ashes? Maybe they should honour us!
Floods are overflowing. They say it is because of the trees we cut! Poor people. They are losing their homes. But what to do? It is a small price to pay for the dams that are giving us electricity. Let us collect donations and old clothes and send them. Thank God we are charitable!
After 14 years of Ms Albright's statement, and after 7 years of Iraqi invasion, after 1000 tonnes of depleted Uranium dumped in Iraq through US munitions (The Hindu, 23 Aug 2010), Paul Bremer III, the former Iraqi occupation administrator, said in an interview, "We can take a certain measure of satisfaction from the success in Iraq. It's not a complete success yet, obviously, but building democracy takes time". And we are satisified !
Building democracy takes time. Indeed it does.
As long as my children are safe, let it take time.
As long as I have my money coming in, let it take time.
As long as I live in mansions, let it take time.
After all, we need democracy, don't we? Let's not hurry it. Let it take time!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Beheaded
Jesus Christ is the head of the church, as written in the Bible. We are supposed to grow as per the head, which is Christ. The head gets the onus of the actions which the body does. If the body does not act in accordance with the head, then the body is not connected with the head. It is either a headless dead body, or a body which is connected to a different head, probably wearing the mask of the original head.
Jesus loved the sinners. He was accused by the priests and the pharisees as being the friend of drunkards, gluttons and sinners. He loved them. However, the modern day affluent church has no place for them.
Jesus lived among the poor and needy. They were part of his life. To the modern day church, the poor and needy are a means of charity, throwaway money, and at best a cheap ticket to heaven.
Jesus wept with those who wept. He wiped their tears. The church and Christians have no time for that. Or maybe, it is they who caused the tears.
Jesus spoke out against meaningless rituals in the temple of God. The church has become a repetitive ritualistic place, un-connecting to many who come there.
Jesus loved the little children. He told everyone to turn and become like little children. Children could be with Jesus. In the church, the children are the least. Who cares if the worship of God connects to them, makes sense to them! Who cares if the Sunday school is happening in very constrained setup, as long as the church is worshipping standing on the marble floor.
Jesus had no wealth. He never saved or accumulated. The church has wealth, for church building funds which can run to crores. When people around are homeless, the church buildings are mansions where no one lives.
Jesus lashed out the selling courts in the temple of God. He spoke out against power structures. The church has become the power structures themselves. Money, power, corruption - these are what you hear in many church echelons of power.
And yet we call Christ the head of the church?
Jesus loved the sinners. He was accused by the priests and the pharisees as being the friend of drunkards, gluttons and sinners. He loved them. However, the modern day affluent church has no place for them.
Jesus lived among the poor and needy. They were part of his life. To the modern day church, the poor and needy are a means of charity, throwaway money, and at best a cheap ticket to heaven.
Jesus wept with those who wept. He wiped their tears. The church and Christians have no time for that. Or maybe, it is they who caused the tears.
Jesus spoke out against meaningless rituals in the temple of God. The church has become a repetitive ritualistic place, un-connecting to many who come there.
Jesus loved the little children. He told everyone to turn and become like little children. Children could be with Jesus. In the church, the children are the least. Who cares if the worship of God connects to them, makes sense to them! Who cares if the Sunday school is happening in very constrained setup, as long as the church is worshipping standing on the marble floor.
Jesus had no wealth. He never saved or accumulated. The church has wealth, for church building funds which can run to crores. When people around are homeless, the church buildings are mansions where no one lives.
Jesus lashed out the selling courts in the temple of God. He spoke out against power structures. The church has become the power structures themselves. Money, power, corruption - these are what you hear in many church echelons of power.
And yet we call Christ the head of the church?
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Paradise Lost
She was born in the verdure of her home
Midst the tall trees and the running cascades
Longed for by her parents, attended by the midwives
She came crying, dignified in her arrival
Her nurture was rich, her mother's milk for growth
Darling of her parents, joy of all around
She grew up in the richness of nature
Among the birds & beasts who became her kin
She was a delight to all, got time and attention from all around
She knew nature, she knew colours, knew the language of all
Epitome of creation, admidst all creation
She grew up, in her garden of Eden
Came then the snake one day in a Pajero
With glittering gold on his hands, his neck, his teeth
He smiled, or did he? But she heard him talking
To her parents, about giving away this land.
The snake wanted to develop this land
Cutting trees, clearing the land, building a factory
Develop by destroying, she couldn't comprehend
Building something, when everything seems perfect
The snake promised the apple, work for her parents
Showed paper he said had value
Work and money, did they need it?
The child wondered, while the elders got sold
They gave the snake their land
Instead they got some toddy, lots of it
Then started work, which took her parents away
She lost their time, their nurture, their care
The factory came up, but gone were the trees
Gone were the birds and animals, her friends
Then one day snake told the elders they are too old
Get out of the land or else they will be mowed
On she went on that long journey
The journey with her parents, her elders, her tribe
The journey to the bustle of the city
To live on the road, and then in the dirty slums
From the luscious nature one day to the slum
Her life was smeared with dirt
No money, no food, she ran between cars at the lights
Begging for money, just to be shoved away
Her childhood lost, her nurture destroyed
She became now a street child
No hope for the future, no one who cares
None really tries to understand
No litigations to help, no court-stays in favour of her
No arguments, her tribal home had to be given up
For development of others, all others but her and her tribe
She lies crucified, so we may live
Midst the tall trees and the running cascades
Longed for by her parents, attended by the midwives
She came crying, dignified in her arrival
Her nurture was rich, her mother's milk for growth
Darling of her parents, joy of all around
She grew up in the richness of nature
Among the birds & beasts who became her kin
She was a delight to all, got time and attention from all around
She knew nature, she knew colours, knew the language of all
Epitome of creation, admidst all creation
She grew up, in her garden of Eden
Came then the snake one day in a Pajero
With glittering gold on his hands, his neck, his teeth
He smiled, or did he? But she heard him talking
To her parents, about giving away this land.
The snake wanted to develop this land
Cutting trees, clearing the land, building a factory
Develop by destroying, she couldn't comprehend
Building something, when everything seems perfect
The snake promised the apple, work for her parents
Showed paper he said had value
Work and money, did they need it?
The child wondered, while the elders got sold
They gave the snake their land
Instead they got some toddy, lots of it
Then started work, which took her parents away
She lost their time, their nurture, their care
The factory came up, but gone were the trees
Gone were the birds and animals, her friends
Then one day snake told the elders they are too old
Get out of the land or else they will be mowed
On she went on that long journey
The journey with her parents, her elders, her tribe
The journey to the bustle of the city
To live on the road, and then in the dirty slums
From the luscious nature one day to the slum
Her life was smeared with dirt
No money, no food, she ran between cars at the lights
Begging for money, just to be shoved away
Her childhood lost, her nurture destroyed
She became now a street child
No hope for the future, no one who cares
None really tries to understand
No litigations to help, no court-stays in favour of her
No arguments, her tribal home had to be given up
For development of others, all others but her and her tribe
She lies crucified, so we may live
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Red hot coals
Nights, Valleys, darkness
Stillness, quietness, solitude
Absence, pressure, depression
Sorrow, hunger, pain.
Wars, famine, distress
Injustice, unfairness, death
Floods, earthquakes, volcanoes
Tears, turmoil, despair
Topics these in the school of life
Success and failure all one
But ah, through it all, what comes out
Is the rose, with fragrance so deep
Lily in the murky pool
Diamonds hidden in coal
Pearls down below in deep sea pressure
Snow in tormenting cold
Beauty out of ashes
Order from chaos
Baby through the birthpangs
Butterfly from its cocoon
Looking back, it's the pain that made
The beauty of today
But when it burns through the fire
The gold, it screams in pain
Diamonds wondering why they're chiseled
Aren't we shining enough!
Yet the craftsman sees brighter lustre
Latent within, uncut
Prayers unanswered, cries muffled
Eyes run dry of tears
Yet through it all there breaks in
A lightbeam for tomorrow
The earth turns, everyday
Nights turn in to day
Life turns, it turns all the time
Nights turn in to day.
Stillness, quietness, solitude
Absence, pressure, depression
Sorrow, hunger, pain.
Wars, famine, distress
Injustice, unfairness, death
Floods, earthquakes, volcanoes
Tears, turmoil, despair
Topics these in the school of life
Success and failure all one
But ah, through it all, what comes out
Is the rose, with fragrance so deep
Lily in the murky pool
Diamonds hidden in coal
Pearls down below in deep sea pressure
Snow in tormenting cold
Beauty out of ashes
Order from chaos
Baby through the birthpangs
Butterfly from its cocoon
Looking back, it's the pain that made
The beauty of today
But when it burns through the fire
The gold, it screams in pain
Diamonds wondering why they're chiseled
Aren't we shining enough!
Yet the craftsman sees brighter lustre
Latent within, uncut
Prayers unanswered, cries muffled
Eyes run dry of tears
Yet through it all there breaks in
A lightbeam for tomorrow
The earth turns, everyday
Nights turn in to day
Life turns, it turns all the time
Nights turn in to day.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Beggars
He was in his Audi on MG Road. He was late for the dinner appointment. That's crazy. "This dinner at Taj can be a turning point in my life", he thought. "The guy is rich. He wants to interview me to see if I can run his franchisee here. Indeed, I have the money. And the experience to run ventures profitably".
He asks his driver to go fast. "What to do sir", the driver starts the string of frustration about the slow pace of the Metro construction, and the inconvenience it causes to the people.
The traffic crawling, the great man decides there is no other way but to step out of his Audi, and walk briskly. "Sir, what are you doing? The roads are messy!" The driver can't believe the man can actually walk on MG Road. Born in an Audi.
He walks briskly trying hard to keep his blue suit in tact. He manages that reasonably well. Then there comes running the all too familiar beggar children. They touch him in their characteristic style of begging, saying "Sir, hungry. No food. Money". He angrily brushes them away. They persist. They literally grab his coat pocket. With one angry shove, he pushes them away, shouting "Beggars, get lost".
He walks faster. He is late. He prays, "God, please let this venture succeed. You know I need this desperately for securing my future". He pleads.
In the loud traffic of MG Road, the wind carried away a whisper which was meant for him. "Beggar".
He asks his driver to go fast. "What to do sir", the driver starts the string of frustration about the slow pace of the Metro construction, and the inconvenience it causes to the people.
The traffic crawling, the great man decides there is no other way but to step out of his Audi, and walk briskly. "Sir, what are you doing? The roads are messy!" The driver can't believe the man can actually walk on MG Road. Born in an Audi.
He walks briskly trying hard to keep his blue suit in tact. He manages that reasonably well. Then there comes running the all too familiar beggar children. They touch him in their characteristic style of begging, saying "Sir, hungry. No food. Money". He angrily brushes them away. They persist. They literally grab his coat pocket. With one angry shove, he pushes them away, shouting "Beggars, get lost".
He walks faster. He is late. He prays, "God, please let this venture succeed. You know I need this desperately for securing my future". He pleads.
In the loud traffic of MG Road, the wind carried away a whisper which was meant for him. "Beggar".
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Paradise is Lost
Here I dream of a better world
A world where none has need
A world where all the wealth is shared
Man has no more greed
People love one another
Hatred is no more
A world with song and laughter
Joyful noise abound
No more killing, no more grabbing of wealth
People know they'll die one day
They know they'll have to leave behind
All the things they take
People share, people give
Rich and poor, no one
No terrorist, no millionaire
Guns are things of past
God is seen in all religions
Faith and love are one
No jealousy, no hypocrisy
Nothing lasts but love
I love to dream of this better world
To give to you my child
But oh how far we've drifted away
Paradise indeed is lost.
A world where none has need
A world where all the wealth is shared
Man has no more greed
People love one another
Hatred is no more
A world with song and laughter
Joyful noise abound
No more killing, no more grabbing of wealth
People know they'll die one day
They know they'll have to leave behind
All the things they take
People share, people give
Rich and poor, no one
No terrorist, no millionaire
Guns are things of past
God is seen in all religions
Faith and love are one
No jealousy, no hypocrisy
Nothing lasts but love
I love to dream of this better world
To give to you my child
But oh how far we've drifted away
Paradise indeed is lost.
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