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A Spirituality of Participation :- Four friends were deep in thought. They were conversing all through the previous week on the plight of a villager near by.He had a sudden stroke. The paralysis that resulted had its ... read more

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Dates: 8th of July 2008 to 31st of July 2008
Training programme for young church/ecumenical leaders On Peace Making, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Skills read more



 
A Spirituality of Participation

Four friends were deep in thought. They were conversing all through the previous week on the plight of a villager near by. He had a sudden stroke. The paralysis that resulted had its effect on the entire family. As time rolled by it seemed as though the paralysis was affecting all aspects of the life of that family, physical, emotional, economic, spiritual, social, moral, ethical and mental.

They then reflected at the options they had in that moment of pain of the neighbour. They could easily avoid the pathos of the suffering home. They could watch from a distance be it with empathy, sympathy, apathy, inter-pathy or antipathy. They could offer pieces of advice and still keep a safe distance from intervening. They also had the option of being involved in a search that might ultimately restore wholeness not only to the paralyzed man but to his entire household.

After perhaps hours of contemplation they decided that they should do something that would help soothe the pain of the family. They knew that if they were able to reach the person to Jesus the healer perhaps that would be the best bet. Once again they were confronted with different options. What shall we do now? Pray for the family? Pay for the family's trip? Participate in the journey of the family? Or shall we facilitate the journey ourselves? It is easy to wait for someone else to initiate a journey of healing. At this point too they had different options. Maybe after some more deep thought finally they finally decided, why don't we carry him on our own shoulders? The journey should surely have been a cumbersome and difficult one, yet they persisted with it until they reached Capernaum and the home which was by then synonymous with the presence of Jesus there. Lo and Behold, they saw that the household was packed. No one would be willing to make way for someone else. Here again they had different options. Get Disappointed? Quit? Complain? Grumble? Murmur? Or search creative and meaningful ways of facing and overcoming obstacles?

They decided to make a new path for the man to reach the feet of Jesus through the roof of the home. Jesus saw the faith of these men and asked the paralytic to take up his bed and walk. Rejoicing at the wholeness restored unto the man the friends again had options, to stay on and ensure that their names are recorded and heralded in the annals of history or quietly dissolve into oblivion fully aware that their task is done and someone else might need them.

Called to be participants in the liberative process of God this narrative of healing enables us to take a close look at our own spirituality. Often times we are confronted with many people in similar situations of paralysis. It could be the experience of individuals, families, communities, nations or the tortured nature. Given a choice it would be worthwhile to reflect what our choosing would be…..

Peace: A Culture of Tolerance and Coexistence,
Kasta Dip (Coordinator, Youth Concerns CNI Synod) writes

We may call it pluralistic, diversified, multiethnic and what not, but overall India is a peace loving country.  However, the recent serial bomb attack on the innocent commuters in Bombay by the terrorists or so called ‘fundamentalists’ has not only distorted the image of  India as a peace loving country but has also put a challenge before its citizensto do away with the fundamentalism and communalism by fighting against its stings.

There have been several such incidents in the recent past.  We can never understand what do the perpetrators of such heinous acts gain by killing innocent people but we should definitely try to understand why it happens.  In India we keep hold of religion like an integral part of our life style which I perceptively agree we should.  But unfortunately, we have not been able to comprehend the humanitarian perspective of religion and tolerance.  As a consequence, when we see the progressive people of other faiths or communities we feel so much threatened and disgusted that ultimately we become violent and slayers.

Assuming this as a propelling force behind organized killings I don’t think modernization of military forces can ever withstand it.  The best way to counter terrorism, in my opinion, is to change the mentality of people towards each other.  When we look at other persons let us not try to see in them what we would like them to have in them but respect them despite of what they are and what they have.  As the backbone of the church, young people like us will have to fight fundamentalism and communalism by promoting a culture of tolerance and coexistence.  We have to speak the language of solidarity to give peace a chance to prevail in India.