Farewell and Welcome!

As I watched these two birds sitting on a cable looking into in two directions, I was reminded of the significance of these positions.

One is looking back and the other is looking forward and almost ready to fly off! 

Yesterday,  during a transaction in a bank, I felt agitated a and communicated that when I thought the officer was not reasonable enough! There are good and not so good experiences that we need to recall and learn lessons of fortitude and resilience as we bid farewell to 2015. Looking back is not a morbid activity for self pity or defence or holding others ransom for our situation, but to feel free of anything that imprisons us. We need inner freedom and wellness to resource our strength to move on for which we need time of reflection to celebrate and to feel grateful before we can close the year 2015!

Then it becomes even more meaningful to look forward to th year 2016! The readiness the bird conveys by looking forward is an invitation to be ready for what lies ahead in 2016!  The coming year is another land mark in each of our lives. In the 12 months that we have before us, we would come across a mosaic of events and experiences which would add to the formative process in our lives!

In the story of feeding five thousand people, while the search for food was on, Jesus of Nazareth turned to his disciples and told them to 'bring what they have'. Th five loaves and two fish they got from a boy became good enough for  everyone with twelve basket full of food left over!

Let us welcome 2016 knowing, that there would be pleasant surprises awaiting us because God is watching over our lives!

M.C.Mathew(text an photo)

Carols with candles at mid-day!

As we sang carols and shared the mid-day meal together before Christmas in the department where I work, I sensed an inner joy reflected in the singing.

The year 2015 was a good year with many pleasant reflections and reasons to be grateful!

Although we are depleted now as a team with a few having had to leave following marriage or other needs, the spirit of encouragement and hope was evident!

Yesterday during a conversation I enquired from one of my colleagues about her experience in being part of this small group. She mentioned that, 'I look forward to coming to work each day'!

I felt encouraged by this remark, because in the midst of demands of each day some of which are intense and disturbing, if we can have a sense of fulfilment it is because of the sense of mission each person carries in his or her heart! 

It is now three years and I feel that our efforts have the prospects of fruit bearing!

M.C.Mathew( text and photo)

VP and Joy and 25 years!

VP and Joy were contemporaries at Christian Medical College, Vellore in the  nineteen eighties during a period when there were many questions about the future of health care in rural areas. 

Both of them were family friends from Bangalore and had a missionary sense springing from the experience of their parents. 

The conversations between them centred on their response to opportunities in health care in the rural areas especially among the disadvantaged living nomadic life in the tribal belt of Orissa.

VP and Nirmala set out to respond to the needs of tribals community at Lamptaput and Joy and Grace joined them a few years later. Manoj and Manju were another couple from CMC Ludhiana to become partners in this mission. 

The health care team consisting of few others focussed on reaching out into the community, particularly in providing hospital based care and community based health and development initiatives. One such activity was day care centres for children in preparing them for formal schooling. Recently children who were in the day care centre are now in higher education, including in medical and engineering colleges!  

It is now 25 years since the beginning of Asha Kiran hospital at Lamptapit! Although VP and Joy are no more there the mission has become even more wholistic with a recent addition of a school for children from the local community!The present team of professionals who live and work at Lamptaput are people with intense devotion to their calling!

When Anna and I met with VP and Joy and their families during this Christmas season, there was a sense of celebration of their shared experiences of the last three decades!

Theirs was a significant missiological response to be incarnation !

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 

An art work!

Jesus of Nazareth is portrayed in different facial expressions by artists. This one with crown of thorns on his head is different from the other portraits I have come across.

As I kept watching this portrait, I was reminded of the portrait I saw at the Ecumenical Centre chapel at Whitefield. Jesus was given a laughing face by the artist. I am yet to see a crying face, although we are told in the gospel narration that 'Jesus wept'.

The humanness of Jesus is an important dimension that these expressions convey.

I have wondered whether we dwell enough on the human and humane dimensions of Jesus! While we go through the different experiences of life each day, the closest companion in our journey of life is Jesus himself.

I have felt during this Christmas season that the incarnation of Jesus is not just a historical reality alone , but one that connects us to His presence in the interior of our lives!

Yesterday, while going through a difficult conversation with  person in authority, I realised how comforting it was to be aware of the 'feeling Jesus' when the conversation turned difficult!

It is a good practice to have short periods of silence even in between sentences we speak to return to this consciousness to experience the comfort of what the Bible speaks of ,'Be still and know that I
am God..'

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Surprise sight!

It is uncommon to find mushroom during this season when it is still raining often! So its sight was a taking point between us and our domestic workers.

During the conversation our domestic workers mentioned that mushrooms spring up only when the soil is non-toxic! They need precise soil conditions to sprout! We have had mushrooms sprouting in different places in our property during the year! It is a good sign that the soil conditions are favourable for plant growth!

In the Times of India news paper today, there is  a news item about the negative impact of electronic games, computer use, etc on the language and emotional development of young children! The photograph in the news item is that of a father and his son glued to the computer! There is a healthy and unhealthy ambience for growth!

For marital relationships to grow intimate the minimum ambience is attentive listening and thoughtful acts of kindness! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Two bunches!

The two bunches of three apples drew my attention while on a walk in the garden of Katherine and Peter Makower!

Nature brings us surprises of all sort.

It was not the similarity as much as the pattern of bunches two and three apples in the apple tree that struck me! The apples hang from the branches with no sign of stress on their weight! They swing freely in the breeze!

This interests me because it reveals a lot about the order, pattern and synchrony that exist in nature! The gardener who works for us recently drew my attention to the symmetry he noticed in the leaves of some plants. The leaves form a circular pattern around the stem and the leaves below being placed in between the space of the leaves above, avoiding any leaf be in the shadow of the other. The nature's way of making sure that each leaf has enough sunlight!

We carry shades of opinion about the creation story and we continue to debate over it! Instead, I wonder whether we can pause and ponder over the mystery we see all around us! That would make us more worshipful!

We need a sense of wonder. Our grandson Ethan, who is just over one year now, educated me in to this art of beholding!

He was trying to hold the running water from a tap with a palmar grasp! Every time he opened his palm, he was disappointed to see it empty! He kept trying for a while. Seeing his enthusiasm, I helped him to open his palm just below the tap. He was suddenly surprised that he had a handful of water in his palm! 

To grow in a sense of wonder we need the spirit of beholding-looking beyond the obvious!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 

Joy, Peace and Goodwill...!

This picture of white rose from the garden of Peter and Katharine Makeover in  London, taken in 2015 October is the best representation I can recall of the symbolic message of christmas. The rose  flower has in its background two buds, ready to blossom. There were other flower buds too in the plant which would open for several weeks to come!

As I think of this symbolic sequence of flowering, I am reminded how through the last 2000 years or so the message of Christmas was perpetuated by recurring reminders to humankind that Christ came to bring, joy, peace and goodwill. 

We too are called to be messengers of this good news in our humble way!

Our neighbour is preparing to visit three homes of people who live reduced lives to share the good news with them on Christmas day!

This GOOD NEWS brings joy unspeakable when  it is shared with all around us!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 

Daffney looked sad!

Daffeny had a an unusually exciting and playful time with our children  and grandson during the last three days giving her full attention and welcoming her to the house for longer periods than what Anna and I would normally do! 

As I write this, I see her sitting at the gate of her yard looking dull and disinterested!

We have noticed this on earlier occasions as well! 

It is important to include the pets in the arrivals and departures that take place in a home all the time. On those days, when we left home hurriedly for our work without giving her enough time we would have a poor welcome in the evening when we return. She would need extra attention to perk up on those days!

It is part of our rhythm now that we give her time and attention till she feels content. That has a salutary effect on her. Daffney has surprised us by the way she has sobered over the last two years. Her instinct for scent, sights and noise might not have changed at all, but she is most relational and reciprocal!  

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Ripples effect!

We would soon be drawing close to the end of another year!

All of us carry the ripple effects of different events and experiences which came upon us, sometimes when we were not ready to face them! We are good at concealing or hiding or suppressing the impact of the after effects of good or not so good experiences. Sometimes we have not even processed them because of which memories of them return to us as ripple effect bringing back many emotions!

The year  end is a good time to reflect and resolve what is still causing ripples within!

An inner stillness is often short lived as events would cause movements and stirrings in unexpected ways!

This calls for regular emotional and memory audit to contain the ripples effect and feel inwardly ready for moving on into the inner comfort level!

What proceeds from our inmost being is what determines our attitude, thoughts and conversations! The inmost being is ideally sanctum sanctorum of our soul, where good things abide because God is resident within us!

Jesus of Nazareth was known to spend time in solitude because that was 'life giving' for him to live relationally!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Delphine's fans!

While Delphine was with us for a short while when Anandit an Aswathy were away on holiday, some student friends from MOSC Medical College. They were astonished by the charming temperament of Delphine. Although she is now fourteen years, she has retained most of her charm of her younger days.

Delphine is a companion who shows her friendly disposition to all visitors.

It tells us a lot about adapting to different human nature! She does it easily and effortlessly!

It is a lesson for us about being more accommodative and adjusting when we have to relate!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Between a day and night!

As I watched this bud of hibiscus, I was fascinated by its readiness to open any time! To be open is a calling  and an occasion for self disclosure. 

The next morning, lo and behold, it was fully open and ready to give away its fragrance and honey!

Flowers are fragile, but fragrant and fresh to look at!

That is why flowers are special!

However, what occurred to me on seeing the transition of a bud to a flower is the naturalness with which it happened without any labour or effort!

All transformation that generates a momentum to be self-giving is spontaneous and begins from within!

It was following this morning sight that I went for a meeting with resident doctors, who asked me a searching question, 'how can  doctors be always be self-giving!'

Dr. V.K Henry, who gave a life term of service at the Christian Hospital, Bissamcuttack entered his eternal rest yesterday. He was an outstanding surgeon, gracious mentor, efficient planner and a pioneer in rural medical work. He made that hospital to be a welcome place for the tribal community!

Dr Henry, referring to the self-giving call once told me that, 'often we give only a fraction of what we have been given. So let us give away as much as we can freely and joyfully'. 

That is what the flower did even at the risk of being plucked away!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)  

A hiding place!

Even a spider has a hiding place in its web!

That is what I discovered this morning as I went about capturing the dew on the several spider webs on the meadow!

I happened to notice a hollow on the middle of a thickly woven web and while waiting for a while marvelling at this sight of great craftsmanship of a tiny creature that many avoid having anywhere close to us in our homes, the spider appeared at the mouth of a tunnel it created for itself to hide! 

There is safety in hiding! Hiding gives us respite for inner composure and recollection when suddenly taken by surprise of overwhelmed by an unexpected scene, sight or news.

At the Developmental paediatrics unit, at CMC Vellore, there is a quiet room we designed for such a use. Amidst all the activities that happen in a crowded place, there is a quiet place where any one can go to find quietude for reflection and inner rest! 

Hiddenness and visibility are integral experiences when held together in good harmony and proportion help our lives to stay centred and anchored!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 

Another refreshing visitor!

I am no good at identifying the species of butterflies! But I am fond of them because, butterflies bring an awareness about gentle way of existence!

As I watched this butterfly and its restful way of sucking the honey, it reveals another way of living! 

It was not disturbed by the honey bees hovering over the flower.

I watched this sight after receiving a telephone call from a colleague that she received her visa to migrate to Canada! It was a disturbing news. She is a valuable colleague who has made significant contributions at work.

The calmness that the sight of the butterfly  brought to me was timely! Its colourfulness and elegance lifted my spirit!

We are often swayed between challenges and needs. The in between periods of inner composure and 'returning' to rest is source of our well being. Such occasions are moments of grace!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A white Pigeon family!

It was after a long time that I sighted a white pigeon family in Bilga hospital campus, near Ludhiana. I apologise for the poor  quality of the photo taken with a compact camera using its zoom!

I watched this pigeon pair on three days ! Each time it was on the same tree. Perhaps this tree would become it home during winter months for nesting!

What was special bout this pair of white pigeons is that they did not seem get disturbed by other birds frequenting this tree for its berries unlike some other birds who are possessive of their territorial control. Although pigeons by temperament are not aggressive normally, I found that this pair showed even more restraint when other birds were 'occupying' their territory!

Recently there has been a lot of reference to the attitude of 'tolerance' which we seem to lose in an aggressive political climate in India.

In fact tolerance is only an accommodation we make for others, their beliefs and practices, but humans are called to form a society where we live interdependently!

A girl said to her mother, 'Mummy, instead of buying Christmas present for me, shall we go the home of Shanti in the slum and give some presents to her family!' That is what the family decided to do on the Christmas day. 

Living mindfully of others is what humans are called to practice at all times!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 

Honey bee tree!

One sight that holds up the traffic in Elagiri town is this tree which is a home for honey bees! For several years this tree is a home for honey bees for some unknown reason! One regular tourist to Elagiri  suggested that many trees were cut along the roads for widening the roads. This tall widely stretched out tree therefore became the only option for the honey bees for their existence!

Not that I have suddenly become environment conscious, but sights like this tells us a lot about the harm we do while we are aggressive for 'development'. There is physical infrastructure development which is taking place in an accelerated pace in urban and semi-urban areas in India for the last twenty years. 

Some environmentalists who studied the recent flooding in Chennai suggested that about 240 waterbodies were reclaimed during the last thirty years in Chennai for constructing industrial houses or residential colonies.  

I wish the development plan is based on social indices and parameters primarily taking into consideration the impact on the environment and habitual residents of each area so that development becomes human friendly rather than only industry friendly!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Our Christmas greetings!

A friend borrowed our camera and snapped us while I was covering the badminton matches organised by the department recently!

So that photograph has become handy for us to send all of you our warm greetings at this season of Christmas. 

One personal aspect of this Christmas season is that we are preparing for a transition in our lives! Both of us feel that we need to    give lesser time more for accompanying friends in their formative journey!

It is the right time for us to think of a change as our professional responsibilities have reached a position of stability for others to carry them forward. 

May the peace that the prince of peace came to bring be yours during this season! Is it not what was most of us look for! A seven year old child told me the other day, 'we have cheerful and peaceful times at home everyday because, we talk, listen and pray after our evening meal! Christmas grants us peace and it becomes a reality as we respond to the offer!

Anna and M.C.Mathew

Bird friendly home environment!

We have more bird visitors in our garden since we have some birds in the bird house and set up a bird bath and have put some ornamental fish in the cement tank. 

As we watch the visiting birds we are learning more about what would make them even more welcome! As I watched this bird sit and look at the fish in the tank with curious interest, I sensed that even birds can feel surprised!

The interesting part of this morning visit was how this bird was practicing acrobatics on the telephone wire! A regular bird watcher mentioned to me that birds become playful only when they feel secure in the environment!

I  feel increasingly aware  that more efforts are needed to make birds safe and secure in the environment!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

  

Two days of time out !

It was after a long while Anna and I took a break to spend time with children who were visiting us. 

It was during this time, I realised what I missed with my hurried pace of living! During the last six  months there were meetings, travels, guests to entertain and new challenges at work!

The external events determined our pace of being and therefore doing became the normal way of living!

As I watched five generations of jack fruits on this tree two days back, although  they were there for a while and I passed by this tree each day during my walk, I became aware of the preoccupied pace of my living! 

When I discovered them, it was a eureka moment, overwhelming me with a new awakening to reset the rhythm of living!

There are times when our lives need a 'time out' to reflect, listen and revise the way we live!

I realise that when inner ambience is not seasoned with silence and the outer activity is not interspersed with solitude, we run the risk of living to work instead of living becoming work!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 

The dew drops!

One of my occupations during winter months is to capture the dew drops on the flowers and grass! It is a difficult photographic exercise while using a compact camera! So I have rarely succeeded in getting the clarity I was looking for!

Leaving apart the photographic quality, such occasions give a lot of insight about the night temperature!

The dew has special value for farmers. The paddy seeds are prepared for sowing by drying them in the sun during th day and exposing them to the dew at night for a week or more. My first experience  of this was when I was at school. My parents owned a farm and they raised  two rice crops a year.  

That was the first time I became aware of a purpose for everything that happens in nature!

Late Dr. Ray Windsor, a cardio-thoracic surgeon of repute from Auckland once told me that, it was during his training as a surgeon, he was fascinated by the arterio-venous system of the body, which drew him into a mysterious experience  marvelling at creation!  

Become a student of nature and we would be surprised by its mysteries beyond scientific rationale!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Well connected to spread hostility !

One of my recent exercise was to find houses without a TV reception dish. Out of about three hundred houses in our neighbourhood, I found only one house, without it.

It was the cable TV first, now it is the wireless connectivity!

There is a rapid change in the way we are connected to the world of news and views. 

Anna and I watch news most evenings in the common English news channels. We are appalled at the way the good practices of courteous dialogue, polite disagreements,  or presentation of news in an unbiased manner are done away with by these channels! The anchors convey intimidating and unsettling attitude to those interviewed and they succumb and resort to using hostile and confrontational language!  

It is occasional that we come across two people debate on an issue form an opposing view point with respect and accommodation! The anchors and the producers behave like investigators and produce a programme which is no good as a model for debate!

The language of arrogance and challenge when resorted to in journalism, it creates fear, anger and distortion of truth!

I wish there will be more who would let the TV channels know of the disservice they do with this competitive journalistic style!

M.C.Mathew( text and photo) 

A close look at a photograph!

Since I started using a 35mm camera for most of the photography for a while now, I realised that some photography is difficult with a compact camera.

I took a close-up view of a rose flower in our garden in a macro mode. Although it looked slightly out of focus, it looked reasonable enough with most details. But I decided to magnify the photo. To my utter surprise I discovered that the flower had a hallow around its rim, which is a clear indication of the 'shaken camera' state. For a photographer, it is a disappointing discovery!

However, I went to analyse the photo further. It has a uniform halo with the blurring of the rose flower. It probably can be due to other reasons as well. One of them is the error of the lens in the macro mode. 

I have decided to use a tripod for some close up views to confirm if it is a shake to the camera or an error in the optics of th lens in macro mode!

Sometimes we give up on learning further, because we depend on our perception. Keep revising our opinions or perceptions, which is the only way to be on a learning curve!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A plant with only leaves!

Some plants have ornamental leaves! They substitute for the flowers!

In a recent conversation with a friend, who have many ornamental plants, mentioned that it is the sunshine that provides the colour! In fact these leaves are even more prettier in summer if plants are well watered!

The sunshine can make the leaves dry if it is not protected from too much heat! It is for this reason most people plant them in pots so that they can be moved to shady places when the heat is strong in the summer!

The sunshine is both life giving and life threatening as far as these plants are concerned! 

All of us have a mission in life to be mindful of those who are vulnerable to the demands and pressures of life! They are helpless unless they are protected from what is too demanding on them!

One such group in our society is señor citizens!  

MC.Mathew(text and photo)

Waiting is almost over!

I know from the experience of farmers that when tender leaves appear in  a mango plant, the mango is about to flower! This then becomes a celebrating time for them as the flowering season is determined by ideal conditions of warmth, humidity and day time temperature.

All the mango plants which we panted there years ago have tender leaves!

As walked around the garden noticing this, I felt that the rhythm of life of plants has a message! They grow to bear fruit !

As I went to the bank today to do a transaction, I was third in the queue! Two people came in to the front unapologetically! The officer in the counter had noticed this! He was a kind and thoughtful person from what I could make out from his courteous manner. He honoured first who waited in the queue before he attended to the defaulters. He graced the occasion with his charm and saved the situation!

It is a calling to bear fruit, even in hostile circumstances!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 

Finding a friend at a lake!

The last visit  I can recall to  this Otteri lake at Vellore was in 1981, when it was overflowing! During my recent visitto Vellore, Sunil and Sanjeet took me to visit this lake again, when it was overflowing after fifteen years! lt was a tourist attraction for people of Vellore when we visited this place.

What brought back to my memory was my last visit to this overflowing lake with Anna and Arpit, who was then about three years.While we were having our picnic overlooking the lake where people were bathing and fishing, a young man appeared on his bicycle and stopped sighting us. He introduced himself as Joseph Thomas, (He mentioned that he was usually known as Joy) a third year medical student at CMC Vellore! He told us briefly about himself and his background. He discontinued veterinary science course to join as a medical student. He carried a pocket  Bible in his pocket which revealed his belief tradition.

Subsequently during the next two and half years at CMC Vellore, we got to know Joy and his student friends closely and had several meaningful engagements with him and his friends. 

Since then Joy and Grace continued to be a pilgrim companion and dependable friend to both Anna and myself. Anna and I continue to have close contacts with Joy and Grace, which has enhanced our lives with good memories and heart to heart communication!  

Some good things in our lives are surprise gifts!They are therefore seminal and define the course of our lives!

M.C.Mathew 

The beginning of CMC Vellore!

It was an awesome experience to be in the room where Dr. Ida Scudder started her consultation 115 years ago, which was the beginning of the long journey for CMC to have become what it is today!

The front room of the building of the Christian Counselling Centre, where Aunt Scudder began her mission of 'not to be ministered unto but to minister'  has now several wall mounted panels to illustrate and describe how the one bed hospital functioned then!

Its modest interior and friendly ambience reveal a lot about the way aunt Ida thought and planned her work. One virtue attributed to her is that she was fully convinced of her call and she was  specialist in overcoming challenges and taking full advantage of every opportunity.

It was from here she launched the wayside clinics, which impacted the community around Vellore of her motivation and long term commitment to address the heat care needs of women!

This room representing years of memory of noble service is a testimony of how God blesses when we put our hand into the plough!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Fishing in Palar river!

The Palar river had flowing water during this monsoon season. The last time river Palar had flowing water was in 2002. So it it was a rare experience for citizens of Vellore!

Sanjeet Peter and I happened to be at Vellore during that week when the river was full with water flowing almost from edge to edge!

With hundreds of people on the overbridge watching this rare sight, it looked festive. Almost all vehicles slowed down over the bridge to get a sight of the river that police had to regulate the traffic!

What fascinated me even more was watching this group of men catching fish with the help of a mosquito net! Not that they caught much fish, but it was certainly a pleasant and leisurely activity for them!

I admired these men for their adventure spirit!

One way to break the monotony or stereotypy that sets into our lives is to respond to the instinct of adventure when we feel awakened by its call!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

Living in the Horizon

There are times when I wish I had carried a SLR to capture the sight of the panorama in all its clarity! One such occasion was when Sanjeeth and Thomas took me to the new garden that is being got ready adjacent to the Men's hostel in the CMC Bhagayam campus. 

As I was taken back by the sight of a lawn, waterbody, fluttering birds, and the serene ambience in a place which was a dump yard until recently, what held my attention was the view that this Robin perched on the dry trunk of had of the horizon from a vantage position! On a misty morning, the sight of the distant was not clear and yet the bird seemed to be engaged in seeing into the horizon!

I returned from the garden, dwelling on the significance of the horizon in one's pilgrim journey!

The horizon is our destiny! Each of us has a journey of inner exploration to make of the life we lived and the life that is still left before us! It is only through the optic of the horizon we can make the inner journey of making sense of the life events which have  occupied our lives! The horizon is a symbol of the fullness of life we are about to be blessed with!

What comforts us during difficult times is the sight of the horizon, because the horizon is a promise of possibilities and promise of hope!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

Morning sight!

Every time Anna and I sight a new bird in our garden, it is an encouragement to us that our garden is a welcome place for the bird visitors! As I watched this bird move about in the lawn elegantly sometimes spreading its wings, it was obvious that it was free of any fear!

Fear of all sorts is what can preoccupy us! I have sometimes fearful dreams and while revisiting these dreams I become even more aware of the layers of fear which exist in my own soul!

Yesterday, as I watched our grandson attempting to walk, I had another insight. He walked looking to his mother and father, who waited with outstretched hands to receive him in case he fumbled!

What an assurance of hope when trust is exercised! This is what can dispel fear!

'Fear not'. was the message which came to Mary when she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus!  Mary seemed to have overcome her fear following this announcement to embark on an unusual life journey !

As I prepare to make a transition in 2016 by reducing my professional work, I have fears of adjustment to this change. 

The bird in this picture seemed to convey a body language of ease and comfort, for it is safe because its heavenly father provides, even though it does not sow or reap !

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 

water drops!

As I watched these water drops hanging from the fern leaves during my morning walk, I realised that each drop was different from the other in its appearance!

Once it falls to the ground it joins to become  the pool of water. However it is good to focus on the individual drop for its distinctiveness before it become parts of a water pool.

Each of us is both an individual and part of a  family or a group or an institution! 

What we bring as an individual to the group is distinct and special! I wish each of us can pay attention to make a difference by bringing something refreshing and creative to the groups we belong to!

A student helped me to understand this last week. He said,' I cannot do much, but what am able to do, let mr do it well!'

Such a spirit of commitment to bring a special touch through his presence and doing  encouraged me immensely!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 

Nativity scene!

As I watched the activity play staged by children with special needs last week, I was surprised to find something that was moving. Two mothers were were tearful with joy. One of them told me at the end that it was the first time that her son was invited to be in a group performance. She was glad that it was in a nativity play that her son had the firs opportunity to act out!

The joy of Christmas reached these mothers in a unique way! Their children who have neuro-developmentla needs are often referred to a those not 'able enough'. On this occasion, they found the joy of their children being valued for acting out the activity play, where the focus of attention was baby Jesus of Nazareth.

For me it was a privilege to watch the joy of parents and children....Christmas brings a spectrum of blessings to humans.

The message of  birth of Jesus was received first by Shepherds at the time of birth of Jesus; during this season of Christmas the parents of children received a message of joy seeing their children do something they did not anticipate!

One version of the Star!

We come across all designs of star to represent the historic star noticed in the sky at the birth of Jesus of nazareth which led wise men to Bethlehem meet Jesus. 

One version of the star noticed recently drew my attention! It is the first time I noticed the caricature of Christmas father superimposed on  a star. It is an innovative adaptation.

However, the symbolic meaning of a star we decorate our homes with during the season of advent, is its central place in our lives as a reminder of the direction Jesus of Nazareth can provide to our lives which the star initially provided to the wise men.

While the design of a star can vary, its message is the same as it was when Jesus was born! The star points us to Jesus of Nazareth for us to find Him in personal life! The Christmas is the season to begin that  inward journey!  

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

First fruit after the storm.

This custard apple tree was left with only its sturdy trunk last year after  a storm. All its branches were broken away in the strong wind.

However the tree showed remarkable resilience with new shoots sprouting over the last six months. One  branch has three custard apples, one of which seen in the picture was recently ready to be plucked.

The story of this tree has reminded me several times during the year about human resilience resident in each of us. Most of us encounter adverse or hostile circumstances. However the overcoming spirit is our innate strength.

During the lat week, while meeting with some student friends, I heard a remark about their expectations from teachers. If only teachers can bring an encouragement in difficult times, it would save students from fear, anxiety and self-doubt!

The gardener who works for us had lot of sympathy for this tree which was damaged in the storm. He tended and cared for this tree, to which it has responded beyond expectations. 

Our mission in relationships with others is to bring out their residual ability and hope when they are disheartened or feel let down! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

   

Light and shadow!

I decided to be lazy and follow no plan for the morning today!

Our domestic worker was cutting the grass on the lawn and I went to be with him for a while. What captured me was this shadow of the wood apple tree on the lawn. A sharp clear shadow of the tree!

My memory went back to a question Malcolm Gladwell raised in the introduction of his book, What the dog saw- Do we know the interior thoughts of others! We see their shadows through what they say!

Shadows have a literal and symbolic meaning. The symbolic meaning is often associated with a negative aspect or dark side of a person.

But while watching the shadow for a while, and noticing it move to occupy different lawn areas, I realised that it is the sunlight that is directing the shadow. It is protective for the lawn because I noticed that the grass underneath the tree is more green.

The shadow in that sense is symbolic of how we gently cover others with care and thoughtfulness. The inner light shining on us from God equips us to bring others into the shelter of the shadow. Every shadow of care we offer has a nurturing and pastoral potential!

Following the recent flood in Chennai, I came across a story of how a person using a ladder brought food to a stranger family for three days, when the residents were confined to the first floor of their house following flooding of the ground floor!

May we through our words and attitudes leave a shadow of care and hope!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Left alone!

This love bird escaped form our bird house one morning! Till noon it stayed in a tree adjacent to the bird house refusing to be enticed to return. 

Some crows came at the site by noon and chased the bird away, most likely falling a prey to them.

As I patiently watched and waited for the bird to return, I felt sorry that we confine birds in a bird house rather than allow them to be free in the air!

When we visited a pet shop, I asked the owner about the habitat of love birds. He from his experience of 20 years told me that they are domesticated birds who like to be in a bird house in close contact with humans. They do not survive outside because being small and not so swift in flying they get attacked by the larger birds. 

There is a truth that I discovered from this conversation and experience . When Adam and Eve were called to be in charge of all that God created and placed them at their disposal in the garden of Eden, God did trusting them to be more mindful of the weakest among them!

This is our calling- living mindfully of others especially those who are left alone or are disadvantaged!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

   

A new experience!

The developmental paediatrics and Child Neurology department at MOSC  Medical College made a risky decision to organise a Christmas Cheer for the community by offering home made goodies. In less than two hours of opening the exhibition on 9th Dec.2015, most items were taken!

It was in aid of setting up the Hall of Residence, a facility for short term stay of children who avail the services of the department.

The experience was indeed special. For about four weeks each one in the department was spending the leisure time preparing for this event. The families of the team members too got involved. This was fellowship in  true spirit.

It is amazing when I look back how eight of us found energy to continue our day commitment along with long hours of preparation for this event often going on to late night. There was new energy every day and not a bit of tiredness during the preparation or after the event .

What gives us energy is work, especially if work is an expression of our personal mission! Such a missional work is refreshing and energy giving.

We feel grateful for the enormous support we received form the 2011 batch of medical students, even though they had the demands of term completion examination weighing on their minds!

Work is energy giving and need not male us feel tired!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)  

Two sights!

The jack fruits on this tree outside the Early Learning Centre is a sight that stops the passers by to look at them in amazement. There are plenty of fruits in one tree. 

The migratory bird in our garden at home  was another sight that captured my attention during the last week. 

As I reflected on these two sights, I  was reminded of the seasons awaiting us. 

Th migratory bird reminds me of winter elsewhere because of which it has moved to a safer place from its normal habitat. 

The jack fruits normally are ripe during the summer months in south India.

The winter and summer are also internal events in our lives. The winter experience is  one of feeling low and greyish in perception. The summer experience is one of fullness and celebration. 

This is the cycle we go through as humans. I have been through a winter experience last week and I feel different at the beginning of this week. 

Let me suggest that 'low and high' experiences of life are both formative with valuable insights. 

We are internally growing through the experiences we pass through.

Taking time out and  practicing interior silence is one way of integrating our experiences to enrich our soul. We pay attention to our mind by thinking, reading, etc. We need to pay attention to our soul. The interior silence is the language the soul is acquitted with! That is why Jesus of Nazareth was often in solitary places to be silent to nourish His soul.

Our personal wellness springs from our communion with God who hides in silence in our inner being!

M.C.Mathew( text and photo)

The fullness within!

I watched this flower becoming open to the sun slowly over a period of 10 minutes. It was completely folded and was unnoticeable till it began to respond to the morning sun. I could not wait till the the flower was fully open.

This image stayed with me while Anna and I were on our way to the hospital.

Life is resident within us in its fullness. However for it to express itself, an ambience of nurture is needed.

As we revisit our lives from the time Anna and I were married, we have felt the blessing of  nurture from each other. There have many others who have formed the fabric of our lives by their presence and blessings in our lives which make us feel purposeful within.

During the last three weeks,  we have had many opportunities to meet with students in our college. This question has come up in one form or the other.

How much are we aware as to who we are! Are we in touch the fullness present within us!

All of us are called to live this fullness in our relationships, responsibilities and daily activities. It is when we live this inner experience, we create an ambience of fullness for others to grow and flourish.

This calls for seasoning our lives with what is good and upbuilding. Anna and I find habitual meditation on the verses in the Bible a rich source of allowing this fullness to expand.

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)