No 9: Life goes on in the fifth week!
Often we Jesuits jokingly say that we begin the ‘fifth
week in life’ after completing the 30-day long retreat. The 30-day long retreat or the month long Spiritual
Exercises of St Ignatius is categorically divided into four weeks. Thus, the
beginning of normal life (!), after the retreat is often referred as the fifth
week. The fifth week comprises the entire life.
Interestingly, many people wanted to know if I have found
any difference in my ordinary life after the long retreat which I had made
recently. Some even sarcastically commented that I had become more holy after
the retreat. Often, I laughed with them! But how is my journey in the fifth
week!
The Covid 19 continues
I cannot deny the fact that I have been fretted with
the escalating of Covid 19 in South Asia in recent days. The pandemic badly hit
the lives of people. I was particularly
concerned for the daily labourers, who earn their daily bread on daily basis.
Many have lost their jobs and poverty rate is increasing. The media is giving
full coverage of the plights of people. In front of this catastrophe, I plea to
Jesus as the disciples did when they were caught in storm (Mt 8:23-27).
The death of Fr Stan SJ in India
The untimely death of Fr Stan is deplorable. I
remember getting a short message from a fellow Jesuit, who wrote: they have
managed to kill him. Exasperated with the news, I thank the Lord for giving us
an example, a role model. He is a martyr and a prophet of our times. He gave
voice to the voiceless, stood for the justice and laid down his life for
Christ. He invites us not to be a silent spectator, rather sacrificing one’s
own life for others.
The crisis in Afghanistan
The collapsed of the Afghan government was precipitated which made everything topsy-turvy. The images of desperate Afghans, who are
risking their lives to flee from the country portrays a glimpse of the ground
reality. I don’t know who is to be blamed for the present crisis. I am concerned
for the innocent civilians. I am worried for the orphan children, for the widows,
for the injured persons, for the refugees... (to be continued)
