Pauses between movements !

An Indian pond Heron arrived on our lawn in the afternoon yesterday and moved about in the lawn pausing between the slow movements. With the day temperature soaring to 39 degrees celsius, I was not surprised to have this visitor, having a respite in the shade !

What was striking was its movements which were slow with pauses!

The Good Friday readings from the gospels were on my mind as I watched this slow movements with pauses and a vigilant look. The Good Friday readings brought a narration of the hatred of the chief priests towards Jesus of Nazareth and the provocative behaviour of people around Him by slapping him, spitting at him, placing a crown of thorns on his heard, blindfolding him while he was beaten and the crowd shouting 'crucify him' !

It was in this above context this pond Heron arrived to bring a message of composure, graceful presence and peaceful movements! 

Its movements in the lawn was a surprising sight. It was so slow with pauses even between strides that time stood still while watching such slow movements. How a bird has its body brought to a discipline of movements through awareness. It moved as if it was moved by a remote control. 

The crowd around Jesus behaved with mob fury. They could not return to reason even after Pilate pronounced three times after three stages of interrogation, that 'I find no fault in Him'. Pilate yielded to mob fury to release Him to be crucified. 

This instinctual,  revengeful and  impulsive behaviour continue in human history even today. The painful and merciless behaviour of the nation of Israel towards the Palestinians in Gaza,  is one such demonstration of a distorted and unjust human behaviour, which even after the recent resolution by the United Nations for cease fire,  does not bring a restraint on Israel.

It became a Good Friday because Jesus endured suffering, humiliation and nailing on the cross! 

We live in a season and time when humans impose suffering and pain on others for personal gain. 

The visit of the pond Heron brought a call for peaceful presence in a broken world!

Jesus turned His suffering into a Good Friday experience by His forgiving response!

It is towards such a way of contemplative presence, the Good Friday points us to!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

From Bethlehem to Jerusalem !

 

For some unknown reason, I was drawn by the number three, while preparing to move from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday. 

Jesus of Nazareth born in a manger at Bethlehem, had His earthly end at the cross at Golgotha and burial in. sepulchre in Jerusalem.

He was buried in a borrowed Sepulchre!

The next three days were a season of tarrying for His followers as He spoke during His teachings, that He would rise from the dead on the third day. 

The mid day turning dark, the dead rising from their tombs, an earthquake and renting of the veil in the temple were events that accompanied when Jesus breathed His last while hanging on the cross. 

Those events would have substantiated the belief of His followers, that something more would happen on the third day, as Jesus had spoken about Him rising on the third day. 

Jesus turned the first Good Friday to be a transition into a new life.  The suffering during His trial and on the cross became a passage into a new life, as a symbol to humanity that suffering was an experience but not an end in itself. 

Suffering is a lonely experience. The disciples watched His crucifixion from a distance! Jesus was left abandoned on the cross with two chiefs on either side hanging on their crosses.

Jesus opened a reconciling path while suffering, by forgiving one thief hanging beside him, who turned to Him. Jesus committed His wailing mother to John, by pronouncing to Mary while pointing to John, 'Behold your son'! The gift of forgiveness and the birth of a new community beyond blood relationships happened while Jesus was dying!

There are many significant roots of the faith tradition for the followers of Jesus of Nazareth associated with the life, teachings and doings of Jesus. The gift of forgiveness and demonstration of forming a new community of pilgrim followers, which began from the cross, where Jesus was nailed, form the foundation for pilgrims of today to live in pursuit of their calling to follow after Jesus of Nazareth. 

It was three days of waiting then for experiencing the risen Christ. Now the waiting to see, 'love, faith, and hope' becoming the language of human relationships is a long wait! 

Some humans impose and perpetuate suffering to their fellow humans, while many humans are involved to bring back the message of 'love, hope and faith' to anchor the lives of those who are in despair. 

Another Good Friday! The destination was not a sepulchre for Jesus who was born in a manger. Jesus of Nazareth suffered, died and rose again to bring reconciliation to men and women!

The three days of trials of Jesus and three days in the tomb were not dark days, but a public display of the act of self giving, about which we read: 'Who being in the nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness and found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death-even death on a cross..'(Philip.2:6-8).

That was the story of the first passion week!

Every year as we go through the passion week and participate symbolically in the suffering of Jesus during the lenten season, the call that comes to every follower of Jesus is for mindful self giving towards fellow humans!

As I watched the pilgrims walk along the road with a cross on their shoulder,  to go to a church on a hill at Malayattoor for Good Friday rituals, I feel moved by the penitential expression of human hearts. This generates hope and renewal !

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

The history of the roots!

It is during the Holy Week every year, one gets a structured time to return to the roots of faith, which Jesus of Nazareth came to reveal through His incarnation, life, teachings, crucifixion and resurrection.

The lectio divina, during this week is from the events leading to the trial, crucifixion, burial and resurrection. 

The Last supper, which forms an integral part of this reading is a mystery that unfolds little by little when one meditates on that scene! It was more than just a meal. It was an occasion when Judas, who had plotted to betray Jesus was present. John another disciple of Jesus was most expressive of his affection to Jesus, as portrayed in the different versions of the paintings of the last supper we see in the historical museums. 

The upper room where Jesus had His last supper, is a symbol of the humanity and divinity of Jesus of Nazareth. He celebrated His life on earth. He washed the feet of His disciples. 

His last supper brought the contradictions of the final choice the disciples made as individuals. Judas parted His ways to betray Jesus and the rest of the disciples deserted Him. Peter denied Jesus when some people identified him as a follower of Jesus. 

The garden of Gethesmane, where Jesus took the disciples to pray, before He was betrayed and arrested, became a place for the disciples to sleep, while Jesus tarried in prayer alone! Jesus invoked the disciples to pray that 'you may not enter into temptation' (Luke 22:40).

Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss (v 48). 

Since then, the betrayal of Jesus and acceptance of Jesus continued in human history. 

The critics of Jesus and His followers referred to the act of His disciples to 'kindle a fire in the middle of courtyard and sat down together' (v55) as an example of the selfish pursuit while Jesus was tried by the authorities. In an hour of crisis, Jesus was alone and the disciples sought comfort for themselves. Is the Church a gathering of comfort seekers! To me, it is not intended to be that way. 

The photo of the roots of a tree represents the history of that single tree. The strong and robust roots held that tree for several years. 

The washing of the feet of disciples that Jesus of Nazareth performed at the last supper, is an act of self giving, which undergirds the mission of the followers of Jesus. 

From the warmth and protection of the fire, around which the disciples had gathered at a distressing time, the followers of Jesus in the world today, has a mission to move to be with people who suffer and endure the hardship of life. 

The roots represent the history of lives of those, who lived as pilgrims following the mission of Jesus, 'not to be ministered unto but to minister'. 

The Holy Week is a time to return to our roots, the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth!

Anna and I received an Easter greetings yesterday, from a friend in his nineties, who said: 'live to follow after Jesus of Nazareth'! 

The roots become a symbol of the history of the faith journey of pilgrim people!

A vivid example of the transforming presence of Jesus of Nazareth in human history, was how, Pilate and Herod, the two involved in the trial of Jesus became friends. '...before they had been at enmity with each other' (Luke 23:12).  

The message of Jesus of Nazareth then  and now is reconciliation !

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

 

New visitors!

We have an early morning new visitor in our garden- a Mongoose! It comes to the site where the cashew tree is with fruits. It searches for  fruits on the ground. 

It surprised me that a Mongoose knew that the cashew fruits are getting ripe and would fall. This mongoose came searching for fruits few times. I once spotted a mongoose underneath the cashew fruit tree biting on the fruit, fallen on the ground. I wish I had the camera with me at that time.

The happenings around us in our garden surprise me sometimes. The reptiles look for cooler place in the summer. Our gardener mentioned to me that reptiles are the worst affected in summer months for want of food and water. 

As the garden has a new irrigation system there is overgrowth of grass and weeds and the reptiles have hiding places. They look out for rats, lizards, and chameleons who live in their hide outs in the grass, creases of walls holes in the ground. 

The butterflies and dragon flies have returned, which give t garden a decorated look. 

It is summer time. It is a season of festive look in the garden!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

 

The suffering in the passion week!

I came across two news items below in the national dailies on 25.3.2024. The first is a news item in the Times of India about the hospitals under pressure to evacuate patients and others located in Gaza. The other photo clipping is from Malayala Manorama, of an injured child in the fighting that is going on between the Israeli army and the Palestinian resistance group. 

Every other day, there is some news of how children suffer in this protracted war, on account of sickness, injury, depleted food supply, and displacement or loss of members of family. 

I read the above news items about children and their several losses in grief and with a sense of loss. I do not remember such a prolonged situation of distress and anguish that people have had to suffer on account of war in the recent times. 

During this passion week, our garden has many Lilies in blossom. They to me symbolise the Easter Lilies, bringing some hope, about life subsuming unjustified suffering, as it happened in the case of Jesus of Nazareth. Those who crucified Him, as they no longer could bear His way of life of love and forgiveness  had a surprise on the third day. He had risen from his grave. It is this Easter reality that sustains many amidst despair and suffering.

I wish I could do more to feel with those who suffer pain and loss on account of the war ! What I can do is to send them the photo of the Easter Lilies from our garden, to share in their grief and hope for the message of Easter to carry them forward. 

I have a question for the rulers of Israel, who ignoring the loss and suffering of humans, continue their hunt for their opponents! Don't they realise that they have already almost eliminated the nation of Palestine since the war began in October 2023!

Let me call upon the president of Israel and the armed forces of Israel, to take a look at the rose bush below. They took away the lives of about 30, 000 Palestinians in the war. The able men and women of the Palestinian lineage are no more, most of them leaving behind children without parents or only one parent or with no siblings. The rose in their lives no more exists.  

Now the Israeli army is chasing to harm more, in order to take siege of the terrorists. In the process, the buds, the children of tomorrow are killed, injured, traumatised or orphaned!

How can you, as those in power, ignore the suffering of the innocent and callously pursue your only intent at the exclusion of all humanitarian considerations! Are there not options of negotiations!

I want to turn to the community of nations in the United Nations, and raise a question. As I look at the desert rose below, the open flower, symbolically represents the nation of Palestine, which  has been made to vanish through the war and displacement of people. 

When the open flower below is forcefully removed and is no more in its stalk, it is a loss that is far too much to comprehend! Let me ask the nations of the world, have you gone out of your way to save further devastation to the people of Palestine! Why is that humans matter less and we prolong their suffering!

As if that is not enough, the nations of the world passively allow the children to suffer and endure hardship beyond tolerance! It is as if, you want to take away the bud waiting to open from its stalk! The hundreds of children are buds, who are now threatened to be eliminated directly by the war or because of the hardship caused by deprivation and trauma of the war! It is as if we disregard the Palestinian race and their right of nationhood!

During this passion week, I have a suspicion that history repeats itself! 

In the narration of the plot to kill of Jesus of Nazareth in the 26th chapter of the book of Luke in the New Testament, a statement in verse 4 reads:'...they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him'. That was what they did few days after the passover feast. Even  Pilate after hearing all the false accusations against Jesus did not have a clue as to why Jesus had to be put to death. He turning to the people asked, 'Why, what evil has He done' (Luke27;23)! 

That is the same question resonating in my heart: what evil has the ordinary citizens of Palestine done? Why are they made to suffer and loose life, livelihood, and all what they posses - children,  houses, gardens, farms,...and a future for their children!

The passion of Jesus, his vicarious death and resurrection had a redemptive purpose!

I wish for the people of Palestine, redemption and hope! Till that can happen, the history of nations is marred with this human insensitivity to the suffering of many! 

A symbol that holds me to look forward for a respite from suffering for the people in Gaza,  is the fruits in the cashew tree in our garden, as shown in the photo below! It is summer time with high day temperature and humidity. Even in that adverse situations, the blossoms bear fruits!

It is a pointer to an abiding God in human lives, to whom we turn in prayer for the people of Palestine!

Let me send the photo of this cashew fruit from our garden to share how by waiting in hope a small beginning of a flower can become a fruit in due season. 

Let this hope sustain people of Palestine, till they can have their own home land and feel the joy of their farms flourish with fruits of their labour!

M.C.Mathew( text and photo)

The milieu of a home !

The above rose flowers were a  common sight ion our garden for about four months till a month ago, and now we are left with flowers below since the summer has set in. This seasonal change reminded me of many things. 

One change I recall,  while reading the passages in the New Testament, associated with the events preceding to the trial and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, is the break down in the coherence and commitment of one disciple of Jesus. 

Judas, one of the   disciples '..went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them' (Luke 22:4). A change in one person's attitude towards Jesus and how that led Jesus to be taken to custody for trial to be condemned to be crucified! 

A change in the interior consciousness of a follower of Jesus for at least three years! Not that Judas was a honest disciple, and this was an aberrant behaviour. According to the narration of John, in chapter 12 of the gospel, Judas was '...a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it' (v6).

The season of change in one's attitude and calling! A follower of Jesus turned to be a deceiver and betrayer! This change occurred over a period of time as his dichotomous behaviour was pre-existent. 

The soil gives life to the  plants which gives the flowers. The rose flowers needed certain climatic and soil conditions to bear the flowers. With the seasonal change, other flowers are in blossom now, which were not present earlier. 

The external environment affects the plants and they give flowers only in favourable conditions. 

In the plot leading to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, it is evident that Judas was influenced by the lure of money offered by the chief priests. He was fond of pilfering money from the money bag.  Judas surrounded himself with the habit of deception, which grew into a monstrous state, of betraying an innocent person, who called Judas to follow Him. 

The flowering of plants symbolise to me convergence of many factors in the soil and weather. 

Children in a family are destined to blossom with talents, abilities,  skills, and grow up sound conduct and character. They grow up in a luring environment of attractions and distractions.  It is the home and its formative influence, which normally help them to grow to their full stature and blossom with enduring values. 

The homes are no more such formative places or environment of wellness for children to grow up, in this post modern society. 

The nurturing role of the soil unfolds the full potential of a plant to bear flowers. The plants bear the flowers in due season, some in winter and others in other seasons. 

The nurturing role of a home and the parenting role of parents seem to have a declining influence in the lives of children. A friend seeing a group of teenagers in reckless behaviour of indulgence, said: 'It pained me to see the way they despised their freedom'! 

During this passion week, I feel that Judas is a symbol of all that is unhealthy in our homes and social milieu, which plant the seed of deception in the conduct and character of people!

How can we support parents to make the home a place of formation for children and adolescents, to make them people of values and embrace a life with God consciousness!

I stay with this thought during this passion week!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Flowers and Fruits on Palm Sunday !

I happened to notice on the eve of the Palm Sunday that there are flowers and fruits on both sides of the walkaway to our cottage. This sight fascinated me. 

It is summer time. Yet the flowers and fruits do not show any sign of the impact of high temperature and humidity. They live their mission. 

The journey of Jesus of Nazareth to Jerusalem was a jubilant occasion with adults and children greeting Jesus, who was riding on a donkey. The narration of St Luke in the 19th chapter of his gospel, describes it as a 'triumphant journey'! 

What Jesus discovered on arriving at the Jerusalem temple, was that the temple and its premises had become a place of merchandise. It was in this place Jesus preached the message of love and grace to which the chief priests, scribes and leading men responded by 'trying to destroy Him' (V47) and others 'were hanging upon His words(v48).

There is a personal response to Jesus and His message each of us makes in the interior of our hearts. I spent most of the day yesterday, with a man who was laying pipes for irrigating our garden. It was a time of conversation. His story was disturbing, painful and created a shrill within me. Yet  he spoke about Palm Sunday, when he would go to the Church with his family because, Jesus came to the temple on the first Palm Sunday to cleanse the temple of merchandise and restore it  as a house of prayer. He looks forward to it as an annual ritual when he too would have the blessing upon his life, when Jesus would come during the worship and Eucharist. 

To me his recollection became the message of Palm Sunday, spoken to me, by a person whose personal life is loaded with multiple harsh experiences. His conversation and anticipation of the Palm Sunday brought an unusual feeling of comfort and hope! 

The flowers and fruits were external expressions of the joy associated with the journey of Jesus to the temple of Jerusalem. His teachings at the temple divided people into two groups- those who wanted to destroy Him and those who believed in His teachings. 

To find a man, who believed in the coming of Jesus and believing in His teachings, in spite of his distressing experiences of life, was an inspiration to me!

Jesus of Nazareth comes to make the inner temple of our lives a place of prayer!

I have felt disturbed by the political events during this time, when the national election is announced to start from April. The ruling party  is resorting to unethical and repressive measures to win the election. 

The first Palm Sunday is a reminder of the two realities- those who turn the temple into a place of merchandise and those who long for the voice of God! 

We  are called to be a leaven of love and peaceful resistance in such times! We need a contemplative orientation to be a 'voice in the wilderness'!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)