(my) Thought at Christmas!

Yesterday, in the midst of our retreat, I was entering to the dinning room for the meal. I noticed in the guest book, the name of God in Italian ‘Dio’ was written as the guest for the lunch. I do not know who wrote it or what purpose. Someone must have written it as a simple joke or the writer must have meant it. But this caught my attention. I went to eat, asking myself- can Jesus really be our guest?


This time of the year, when we prepare for the Christmas, we remember and reflect on the Incarnation of God’s Son, Jesus. He comes into our midst. He becomes like one of us.

What I love most of the Christmas is the embrace between Divine and Human. Jesus becomes one of us and shows us the light. He gives us hope and leads us to a new life. On the day of his birth he brings all together under the same umbrella. The rich, poor, wise, stupid…all were equal to him!

For me Christmas comes with an invitation to see around, specially to those who are less privileged. It is an invitation to reach out to them. This can be done just with a smile or gentle word! Are we ready to accept this invitation?

And then I ask myself!

(In this new column, ‘And then I ask myself’, I try to reflect on certain contradictories of life…unfolding my answerless questions)

Bridge between ‘near and distance’

Last summer I spent roughly a month in Gallarate, an infirmary for retired and sick priests. One evening when I was reading newspaper, a senior priest came to me and said, “You are a young man. Tell me something about facebook?” I did not expect such question but it was easy for me to answer his question. At the end I asked him, why he wanted to know about facebook and willingly offered my help if he intended to open a facebook account. He gave a big smile, took a chair and sat next to me. Then we had a long chat together. Among the many topics we dealt I still remember the event of his fast encounter with facebook. Let me tell you briefly what he shared with me.

He went for summer holidays along with another few priests. There was a particular priest, who teaches in a reputed university, was seen often with his iPod. He would be typing always. Out of curiosity, this senior priest asked him what he was doing with this small device. The university professor told him that he had almost four thousands followers on facebook, who would ask him questions related to faith and spirituality. He would answer them and he considers it was his mission to reach out to many.

At this point that senior priest told me that he had appreciated his good work but it would have been really good if he could spend sometimes with his friends who were with him. And then he looked at me and said in a soft voice, “Always give time to the people who are around you. Do not get addicted to machines, they do not have any heart!” I must admit that I liked the conversation of that evening. It was really thought-provoking. I decided to follow his advice

Then my busy life began once bell rang for the university. Suddenly the other day I remembered that ‘chat’. Why? Let me unfold to you…The other day we had a community gathering. It was relaxed evening, we were having chat. At one point I remembered that I had made a skyp appointment with a friend. I rushed to my room and chatted with my friend for more than an hour. But at the end of the conversation when closed my computer I remember that words of that particular senior priest. I could have finished with my friend within five minutes and spend more time with my community members!

It was another occasion when my words contradicted my action. And then I asked myself, “How can I bridge between near and distance?”

And then I ask myself! (part - 1)

(In this new column, ‘And then I ask myself’, I try to reflect on certain contradictories of life…unfolding my answerless questions)

Walk the talk!
Though I have forgotten the name of that particular Bangla film, but the story I do still remember very well. The story was based on a young boy, who was running a popular radio programme. He would often take the life related incidents and offer advices to the people. He had brought smile and joy to the life of many.

But the story took a dramatic u-turn when that boy met a girl, through his radio program. Soon they became friends. As the days went by, they began to spend more time together and began to share ‘joy and sorrows’ of their life. At one point the boy felt that he was in love with that girl but he could never express his desire. After sometimes the girl fell in love with another boy and decided to get married with him. On hearing that news the hero was totally broke down. No words of consolation worked for him! He was sad and left the radio programme. He ended up his life into a miserable condition. The story ended with a message, that if you love someone, tell him or her before it is too late. But the question I asked for myself was- why the hero could not apply some of his 'words of wisdom' which he would offer to others for himself?

Life is such- we are good at speaking. We often get into the habit of advising people. In my country we jokingly say that there is only one thing we get without paying is- advice. Personally often I find myself naked before the life related situations. The words of wisdom, which I might have given to many, do not work for myself. And then today, I ask myself, “Why can’t I walk the talk?”

Perhaps in the journey of life I will one day find the answer and I wait for that day…

Everyone is unique!

Recently we were returning from a daylong lovely and hectic tour. We were seven of us in the car, hailing from seven different countries. There were lots of laughter, jokes, fun and of course non-stopping consuming food. But it did not take much time to fall into sleep, as we were tried.

When we reached near the Vatican City, someone said that we had almost reached our home. Then someone proposed that we must thank our leader for taking the initiative to organize this trip. We all shouted together and clapped for him. Then another companion said that we must thank so and so for buying food, so and so for taking our photos. Spontaneously we began to thank all. There was one person who was rather quite during the entire trip and has not had any major role to play. Someone from the back seat said we must thank this particular person because he kept on talking with our driver while we were all sleeping. It was in fact a great job. I was a bit surprised to hear that. I have not had noticed this. At the end our thanks were for each one of us and we recognized the importance of everyone.