Faith, hope and love!

I can loudly say, though some may not agree with me (!) that we almost spent our first week of the second semester reflecting on three words: faith, hope and love. Different professors ‘broke’ these three words from the different point of views. Though my professors developed these words based on Christian theology, scripture, ethics, here I made an attempt to look at them from a ‘secular’ point of view (theology in daily life!).

Hope: turning dark in to light!

I did not have any choice than to observe the entire episode. Each time I called my father, I would listen to rather sad stories from him. He was planning to visit me in Rome, but obtaining visa for Italy seems to be impossible. He has done all that he could do. He was almost giving up hope. In spite of my anxiety, I remained rather calm and cool. Somewhere deep within me I had a hope that everything would come along the way in due time.

Last Monday I spoke with my father to know the latest development and the result was as usual. While talking to my father, I saw a priest friend of mine was on line. Though for a long time we did not have any contact, I asked him if we could skyp for a while. He readily accepted and showed great eagerness. We spoke for a while, and then I said, “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course” he said immediately. “I can do anything for you.”

I knew when he said he can do anything for me, he really meant it. Then I narrated to him the entire episode. Once I finished, he said, “Ripon this is my work. I will make sure that everything is done. You do not need to be worried. You get ready to receive your parents at the airport.”

He has done what he could do. He spoke to my father and gave the instruction of what to do. The next day when I spoke with my father, he sounded to me very happy. He began to dream to visit me. Though he is yet to get visa, but he has got a hope. My priest friend gave him that great hope.

In our modern world we often lose our hope. In certain context our life is controlled by the machine. We want everything instant. If something goes wrong, we give up.

Back to the class in my own way: Jesus brought hope to many. He gave hope to the woman, who was sick, or to the father whose daughter had a sudden death or to the sisters who lost their brother. Many found hope and new life in his words. Often I think as religious, we are often called to bring hope. There are lots of people around us, who need just a little hope. Some might need a little encouragement or a little gentle touch. Are we ready?

Faith, hope and love!

I can loudly say, though some may not agree with me (!) that we almost spent our first week of the second semester reflecting on three words: faith, hope and love. Different professors ‘broke’ these three words from the different point of views. Though my professors developed these words based on Christian theology, scripture, ethics, here I made an attempt to look at them from a ‘secular’ point of view (theology in daily life!).

Love: come back to me!

Unexpectedly I noticed a few sentences written in Bangla on the facebook, posted by a person whom I knew quite knew. I was also aware of the inner struggle he was going through. His words were so powerful that I called him immediately and spoke for sometimes. At the end I asked him if I could translate his words into English and post them in my blog. He gave me permission. Here you go…

“There are two very powerful realities: Time passes and the people changes. Now we do not require any reason to change. We can change and do change ourselves without any reason. Sometimes, people very close to you become unknown to you. But in this drama of changes, some people remain the same. They remain as they are. Perhaps they are most lonely person in this world! I am one of them. I tried to change myself, but I could not. Is it really necessary to change? You changed yourself. You left me. Come back to me, my love. You are my life, my love. I need you only, because you are my love.”

These words reflect of a true love. From my personal encounter with that person I can say his love was really genuine and self-giving. Unfortunately this true love has had an untimely death. One person hold on to love and the other left the love. ‘The love’ which could have been the source of a beautiful life has turned in to reason to say ‘NO’ to life.

Back to my classroom: Jesus loved us so much that he laid down his life. He wanted us all to live in his love. What does it mean to live in the love of Jesus? Should I answer this question? No! I leave it to be discovered…and I continue to listen to my professors!!!

(Next post on ‘hope’…)

The beauty of ‘being’ together!

(We often concentrate on ‘doing’ and neglect ‘being’. In this new column I would like to ponder over some of experiences of being together. These are based on my personal experiences of different Jesuit communities, where I lived and worked!)

It was last week, just before my anthropology exam. I had to burn my midnight oil to prepare for the exam. Early morning when I opened my notes, everything seemed to new to me. I was really nervous and frightened! I thought of getting out of my room and get some fresh air.

I opened the door and found a little piece of paper hanging outside my door. I took it and found it was written in Italian:

Things necessary for exams!

1. Courage- I wish for you
2. Prayer- we have prayed for you
3. Confidence- you have it
4. Preparation- you have done it already

Best wishes…

I read it once,twice,thrice…! So powerful! So meaningful! It was written by a Jesuit companion. I knew him quite well. Occasionally we spend time and share certain things. But I could never imagine that he could touch me in such a personal way! Perhaps this is the beauty of being together.

Perhpas one day!

The note of Eschatology is opened on my table. The words like- death, heaven, hell, resurrection- are repeated again and again.
Entered my Jesuit companion in my room, looking at the notes said, “So we die one day!”
“Yes! It’s the reality. No one can avoid it” I said.
“Oh life! So mysterious” he said philosophically.
“There are certain things in life we cannot do” I said.
“Of course we can do, may be in different ways” he replied.
“We cannot go back to our childhood” I said in a soft voice.
“Sure! But we can do certain things that children do” he replied smilingly.
“But then people will tell to me that I am a child. My behaviors are childish” I said, thinking that I have said logically.
“But you can be child-like minded” he replied.
“How?” I asked.
“Forget about all these complicated of life. Learn to laugh at your mistakes. Go and talk with a stranger. Ask question. Play with everyone. Be happy. Do not judge anyone. Live in present” he said and looked at me, “would you like to try!”
Should we allow a child to grow within us? Did not Jesus invite us to be like a child?

(my) Love story!

(This is incredible! Something really strange! How a celebrant could write about his love story, which took place after making solemn promise of chastity? Here I take pen to tell one of my love stories! I did not fall in love instead I rose in love…!)

A sudden miss called from her surprised me. I knew there was something particular. I called her back. “Oh Ripon, I am dying to tell you. My parents have arranged a marriage for me. The boy is good and I am happy about it!” she said without any breath once I said “hello.”
“Congratulation! I am so happy for you.”
“I know you cannot come for my marriage but on Feb 6, on the day of my marriage you must call me and send a gift for me.”
“I will try.”
“What do you mean by you will try. You must. You have to. You are my friend and I can demand certain things from you. This is the right of my friendship.”
Then she kept on speaking…
When I put back my phone, I was in deep thought of the nostalgia. I sank in the memory lane. It was in the year of 2003. After three years of initial Jesuit formation, I was asked to do my graduation studies in a public college rather than going to a Jesuit run college. In the college I was like any other ordinary boy, and almost nobody knew that I was preparing to become a Catholic Priest.
On the first day, when I entered in to the class-room, I was a bit surprised to see that there were roughly forty girls and only three boys. I have never before studied in a co-educational institution. I was puzzled of where to sit. At this point I saw a girl from the last row was asking me come next to her. I went and sat next to her.
During the first hour, I introduced myself as Bangladeshi, a foreigner and lone. During the second hour the Principal came and spoke to us in English. As he did not know Bengoli, he asked someone to translate in to Bengoli of what he said. I was the only one who could speak English. Thus from the first day itself I was the centre of attraction!
Within a few weeks we formed a group. We were five in the group- two boys and three girls. Soon I discovered among the three girls, a particular girl was taking interest on me. Outside class she would try to be close to me. As I was aware of my identity of a celebrant and did not want to 'fall in love' with a girl, one day I told her that I was preparing to be a Catholic priest. I had to explain to her what it meant to be a Catholic priest, as she was a Hindu. I thought, after hearing the aim of my life, she would keep certain distance. But to my surprise, I found she was becoming more close to me.
Then time came for vacation. The college was closed for almost for a month. On the reopening day, she said that she had brought a gift for me. During the break we went to the college canteen. She handed over to me a Crucifixion. Then looking at the Crucifixion, she said, “Ripon, I want to see you as a holy priest like Him.”
That was enough for me. That gave me a lot of freedom to grow. There grew a mutual trust and faith. We have grown in a loving friendship. She would often say that she loves me like a friend. We were in the college for three years. Many memories! Many incidents!
Just before leaving Calcutta for Dublin, we five of us got together for a ‘farewell party’. It was somewhere near Victoria Park in Calcutta. We all sat together, recalling our past days- specially days of exams. Laughter, jokes, eating spicy food…! When it was getting dark, we knew that the girls needed to be returned home. At the end we were rather silent for sometimes. In silence, we felt the presence of each other. There were no words but just our being together. At the time of departure, she handed over to me an envelope. She asked me to open it when I get back home. When I opened the envelope, I found in a small paper she wrote,

“Remember me when you are sad, when you are alone, when no one is around you, when things do not go well with you. I will be there with you.”

Then we parted…it is almost four years that we have not seen each other. We all have taken different roads. After so many days, I was happy to know about her marriage.

Yes, in life we cross across many people. But only certain people remain in our hearts. We may not meet them anymore. But their presence is always with us. We grow in a loving relationship. We create a love story. In this love story we do not need to be lovers.

It is true that we do not have any problem to find people to share our joy, happiness, success, dreams... But to find someone to tell about failure, stupid mistake, shortcoming is not easy. But there are people…perhaps sometimes we do not notice them…

(my) 'Mission' (?) at night!

As part of my ‘reaching out to others’ every Tuesday evening I go out with the community of San Egido. We go around the busy places of Rome, looking for the homeless people. We give them snacks, hot milk/tea and cloths. We also spend a good deal of time talking to them. On January 8, 2013 was my first day of this year. I spent roughly two hours. What did I see! What did I experience! What did I feel! Let’s have a quick ‘flash back’!

At 8:45pm

We gathered in front of the Church of the St Mark. We divided us into different groups. I was with Fredrico, an Italian. I had been with Fredrico even before. He was driving the car and asked me to carefully look for person whom might need our help. Something beautiful to think that we seek for others to offer our help! Often in life, we approach others to seek help!

At 9:10 pm

We were in front of the Church of St Augustine. There were three persons. I knew two of them already. Let me tell about the third person, whom I met for the first time. As soon as he heard that I was from Bangladesh, he began to tell all the stories of Bangladesh. He was rather up-to-date about the current situation of my country. I asked him from where he got all the information. “Oh there are so many Bangladeshi on the street. I talk to them, ask them and get to know” he replied quickly. “You are great” I said. “We need to talk to people. Talk whatever you like and feel. Do not wait for any opportunity, occasion or reason to talk. There are many people who want to share their stories” he smiled and said. I was stunned. I stay in a community where we have people from almost 20 countries. But I hardly know about their countries or I would imagine any of my community members would know anything about my country too!

At 9:35pm

She has no one in this world. At this rather advanced stage of her life she sits quietly, gazing at the faces of people. We offered her a jacket as it was very cold. She said that she had enough cloths instead she asked us to take it to another person who would be needed it. But she accepted two oranges from us. She said, “These things you brought for me out of love. I accept your love. We should never deny love. Love others and be loved.”

At 9:50pm

We were in front of the Church of St Mary Minerva. We found Kashir there. Kashir is an Indian, belonging to Sikh religion. He hardly speaks any Italian. He has lost all his documents. Whatever money he gets from people, he spends them on eating and drinking. With my broken Hindi I managed to talk with him. At the end, I asked him to pray for us. He requested us to wait for a while. And he began to pray. The way he prayed showed me a great lesson. He was pleading God again and again for us.

At 10:10pm

We were in front of the Pantheon. There were two people. We met them before and we know they were friends. But today we found them in two different places. Both of them have taken place on the both sides of the main door of the Pantheon. When we were talking to one person the other was getting angry. He was calling us to go to him. When we went to him, first thing he asked if his enemy (was friend before) had told us anything against him. Oh what a life…friend becomes enemy and enemy becomes friend…the mystery of life never ending!

At 10:45pm

Another elderly man was sitting close to Pantheon. We met him before too. He always wears a smiling face and has word of appreciations for us. He always says, "be happy and be positive. In life, you never get answers of certain questions. Do not spend too much time thinking of them."We had quick chat with him and left some food.

At 10:55pm

I returned to my community. I went to the refectory to get some food for me. While eating alone, I reflected all the wonderful people I met over the two hours…they have, in many ways, unfolded the mystery of life to me.

Welcome 2013!

On January 7, 2013, the first day class of the University. The bell has gone and the professor has entered in the class. I opened my note book and wrote on the top of the page the date- 7/01/12. My classmate sitting next to me kicked my leg and said in a soft voice, it is 2013. I looked at my note book and realized my mistake. I erased it and rewrote the correct date.

Yet another year has begun. I must admit that I have embraced the New Year in a right place, with a right person, and in a right situation. When I wished my friend ‘happy New Year’ at midnight I was reminded of the ‘changes’ of this New Year would take place in my life. There is going to be a new beginning. A sudden sense of uncertainty engulfed me. In the midst of the artificial lights, I looked at the sky to place my naked self. In fact I often I look at the sky, when things are uncertain and do not go well with me. I find there is always place for me. I have fear to sink deep within myself. But wide sky calls me to sink, to fly, to dream…! The wide sky invites me to have a big heart and a simple life.

Life is a mystery! We are all called to take part in this mystery. Perhaps this year I will more actively participate in this mystery of life…