Existential challenges

The coconut farming has become common in many places in south India in the last twenty years and is becoming less practical in Kerala, which was the home for coconut plantations for decades. The coconut trees are more susceptible to various diseases, the price has declined while the cost of production has gone up and the climbers to pluck coconuts are no more freely available. What was a stable crash crops for farmers in Kerala is getting replaced by rubber plantations. Anna and I have been trying to get a climber to pluck the coconuts in our garden for the last two months with no success.

Most of the unskilled workers who work in the farm, construction sites, fuel stations, industry, etc. in Kerala are migrant workers form Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, North Eastern states, etc. Now with rural employment scheme where each unemployed person can get jobs up to 200 days in  year, these migrant workers do not have to come to Kerala looking for jobs. They are better off in their own states.

I read and hear this issue being debated widely in Kerala. Will there be enough unskilled workers in the future in Kerala!  

All the adolescent children in our neighbourhood, having completed their schooling are looking out for higher education. The school drop outs in the past became unskilled workers. Now this too will not happen as educational opportunities even for someone with less abilities exist in many schools in Kerala. 

There are vast stretches of land uncultivated even in our village as farm labourers are not to be found. 

This points to a global phenomenon. The unskilled workers and even skilled workers in England now come from other parts of Europe or Asia. The professionals have a global market open before them for employment. 

This is an alarming situation in Kerala- painters, plumbers, masons, carpenters, farm workers, domestic workers, etc. are likely to become extinct as young people do not see this as a job career for themselves. 

This vacuum of work force to support the social infrastructure will hit life in rural areas even more.  The workmen prefer to go to towns or cities for better prospects and people prefer to migrate to live in towns and cities by disposing off their farm land. In our village, those who live in our neighbourhood are elderly people, and a few others by choice.  

No wonder more and more gated communities are coming into being, which offer to take care of many chores of life.

I wish the Churches in Kerala who own large properties consider this as a mission to help the ageing population by creating self-supporting communities!  

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

The Gentle Shepherd

This painting by Nathan Green based on the saying of Jesus,'..and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice',  from the gospel of John, Chapter 10 and verse 4, is most inviting and revealing. Let me share three of my first impressions.

The embracing Jesus- one hand below the cheek of the sheep represents the receiving attitude of Jesus. Jesus is always welcoming and receiving all those who move towards Him.  The other hand is positioned to stroke and comfort as that is what a tired sheep would need. Both hands seem to cover the face of the sheep to protect by creating a space for rest.  The painter communicates his personal experience of his relationship with Jesus through that portrayal of the two hands. 

The kneeling Jesus-  Jesus comes down to our position. He does that spontaneously. His incarnational journey began when he was born in a manger at Bethlehem. This brings a call to all those who profess to follow Jesus. It is not condescending but identifying with all those with whom we are in touch is the way set before us. This is a genuine way of befriending and accompanying people. This is the only way  the missionary heart of Jesus of Nazareth will be revealed to a broken world.

The looking Jesus- There is a communication  of acceptance, gladness and warmth in the look of Jesus. The facial smile is gentle to ally any fear and guilt. It is a receiving, pardoning and caring look. The painter portrayed mercy and kindness in the facial expression of Jesus. The lighter stokes of paint creates a diffuse halo around the  face and hands of Jesus. This adds a special effect to the painting. His presence is graceful. 

This  painting is larger than any of these thoughts. It is gospel in summary.

A seven year old child told me yesterday after the sunday school that 'Jesus is a gentle shepherd'. She said it so joyfully that I sensed that she became a good news bearer from her own personal experience during the sunday school lesson.

M.C.Mathew (text and photo) 

Living Lovingly

Anna and I have actively kept in touch with worship congregations during our stay at Pune, Sevagram, Nagpur, Chennai, Vellore and now in Kerala. We have often found such occasions spiritually refreshing and biblically instructional in our formative journey.

Now that we live in  a new cultural milieu in Kerala of strong heritage of Christian spirituality, we are beginning to understand how church life is strongly linked to denominational fidelity. In the village where we live, there are fifteen worshipping congregations, all belonging to different denominations. There is a strong boundary which each denomination prescribes for its members that interdenominational co-operation or collaboration is nominal and minimal. Sometimes there is intolerance and intimidation, which makes interdenominational relationship difficult and stressful.

A minister of one congregation mentioned to me that three denominations used to use the same church building for their sunday worship services and weekly meetings in one city where he was a vicar of one congregation. The church building was also used for day care of children and senior citizens, drawn form all denominations and other faiths, during the week day.  

On the same day, another minister dropped in to greet me. He drew my attention to six church buildings closed to worshippers due to conflicts between groups within the congregations. Sometimes worship services are held under police protection. He knew of my interest in dispute resolution and reconciliation and invited my attention to this opportunity.   

I have recently got in touch with Bishops of three denominations. I realized how each denomination speaks of its 'faithful flock'. I wonder whether the 'faith community' is missiologically getting preoccupied with being 'faithful flock' of denominations!

A senior minister, whom we know for fifteen years, who is likely to be nominated to the panel for selection of a Bishop, mentioned to us this morning how he feels for the diocese which is full of internal conflicts. 

We returned from the Sunday worship today, with this longing in our hearts, 'how are we live to lovingly' amidst so many pressures and divisive practices! This is the missionary call we feel in our hearts, ever since we have come to live in Kerala. 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)         

Beliefs that need burial

Anna and I were walking along a corridor on our way to get in to the car to go to the passport office to renew our passport. A friend was walking us to the car. A black cat crossed the corridor in front of us, at which our friend became restive and advised us against going to Chennai on that day. Spotting a black cat just before doing anything important is considered ominous. We could not change our mind as we had got this appointment after waiting for two months. Our friend was anxious and called us on phone a few times and rushed to see us on our return. We had a good journey and our interview with passport  office went on well. It is then this friend told us of many such traditional beliefs that are strictly followed by the old and young alike.

We noticed at the dog show last week, that the dogs are trained to put forth the right foreleg while being paraded before the judges, just as as men and women are expected to put the right leg first, every time one sets out on an important mission.

There are several traditional beliefs of similar nature which are passed on to us from mythology and ancient cultural practices. Not many would like to deviate from these as far as possible. A priest was insistent to hold a dedication prayer for an office till 9 am as time before that on that day was not considered an'opportune' time. So these beliefs can take different expressions and controls. 

Let us respect traditions if they promote values, human dignity and godly behaviour. If they are handed down traditions which bind us and restrict us, they need a 'farewell' from us. 

The watchful wyes of the good Lord are upon us. That is our surety and strength. We are called to be vigilant and responsible in our behaviour. That is good enough. Let not traditional beliefs which add burdens to us to preserve them control us or override reason and logic. It is good to do what is reasonable and sensible without 'fighting' the system to avoid  leaving somebody or other hurt. Make a quiet exit from what is binding us with no protest. This finds us freedom without offending any one in the process. This example will encourage others to be brave to be different. 

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)                          

Rules and Habits

The two photographs, one of  a policeman and the other of several travelling in two wheelers without wearing helmets in  a city, where rules require every two wheeler rider  to use a helmet, tell us a lot about habits that cannot be regulated by rules. The, on the spot fine, for violating the rule is a large amount and it is neither enforced nor does it exert pressure on people to wear helmet.

I am told by advocates and police officers that there are too many laws and rules in India, the first impression of which makes every one feel good about the noble intentions. But the violation of    the rules is so common that it is not just  an exception. We accommodate, tolerate and even justify violation of rules. 

What if we make a shift from framing rules, enforcing them, and condoning every violation, to focussing on building character of our young people. The youth of India is a community who seem to show some inclination to look at the collective responsibility we share to make a difference. 

It can begin in our place of work, where we can engage our colleagues to make a small beginning. I have found initiatives such as keeping the environment clean, arriving on time for work, being diligent at work, showing courtesies towards others, going out of one's ways to help others, offering hospitality, consideration towards who suffer from disadvantages, etc. as starters of a dialogue about human behaviour and relationships. 

I am currently working in a setting where these issues come up for conversation almost every day. I realise how, each time we show forth good practices, it gets noticed and appreciated. It is when we can share acts of kindness, we create an atmosphere to talk about value based living where practicing personal ethics and acting because of conviction are esteemed. 

I remember a eight year old child telling me few days back, 'if you want to stop children from walking across the road except at the Zebra crossing, let the adults show the way'. I heard from a government official in Singapore that the government introduced fine for littering the street after making successive generations of children aware about the value of clean environment for two decades. No wonder, the on the spot fine became a restraint for littering, as the people were educated about it during the school years. 

People change their habits not by force but through sensitising them  to foster conviction and character.  

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Meaning behind Rituals

The exciting things of a graduation ceremony are, pausing for photographs, procession and the award ceremony. Usually after photographs are taken, we notice the graduates flinging their ceremonial caps in to air. After the photographs were over, I happened enquired from the graduates the meaning behind flinging thier caps. They said, 'we do because we have seen others do'. I must confess I too did not know much about the origin of this ritual.

I got in touch with a retired Professor who is in his early eighties and wanted to hear from him the genesis of this ritual. 

He explained to me that there are three rituals associated with a graduating ceremony. First, is pausing for group photograph with the faculty and the chief guest of the graduation ceremony. There is a tea before this, during which time the graduating students meet with the faculty informally to say 'thank you'. This is a special occasion as graduates make personal conversation with the faculty.

Second is the photograph with the ceremonial dress with the faculty and chief guest. This symbolises the academic spirit of co-learning. The faculty learn from the students and the students from the faculty. It is this constitutes the academic milieu of the institution, an essential character of any good institution.

At the end of the photographs, the graduates normally bow in unison, in appreciation of what they have received from their Alma mater. Following this, they look up to the sky in gratitude towards God of universe for granting them knowledge and wisdom. It is after that, they fling the ceremonial cap into the air, as a symbol of freedom to move into the wide world of opportunities. It is important that they receive the cap into their hands as it descends, to affirm that they take charge of their future responsibly.

It is after this most meaningful exercise, they move in to form procession, to go into the convocation hall for the formal graduation ceremony. 

There are many meaningful symbolisms behind every ritual we follow. The fact that the rituals are meant to add meaning and richness to what we do is most refreshing. It is the meaning which is more important than the practice of a ritual itself. And yet, we sometimes continue a ritual without entering into its meaning.  

Make it  a habit to make rituals or traditions meaningful, by searching for their original meaning!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)  

A child is more than a student

I happened to notice this group of children waiting for their annul school health check up, in the out-pateint area of a hospital. What held my attention was the several playful body gestures and gesticulations they were preoccupied with, while they were waiting for their turn to be seen by the health care team. 

We need to understanding the needs of children on different occasions and settings.  

Most parents take children along with them when they visit their family friends. If there are no children that they can play with in that home, any child will lose interest in the novelty of place and people and would soon show  restlessness. The more the parents try pacifying such an unoccupied child, the more the parents would feel disappointed because of non compliance. 

A similar experience may await parents when they take young children on long journey in the car or in a train. After the initial novelty of travel and watching new sights, fade away children would show signs of restlessness by quarrelling with each other or doing naughty things which would provoke parents to punish them.  

There can be instances of similar restless behaviour, when children are not prepared for what await them. Let me suggest three broad guidelines to help children in their transitions. 

Every child needs preparation to get ready for any change. Going on a long travel, visiting a home, going to a mall or restaurant can evoke mixed feelings of anxiety and excitement in many children.

Every child needs something to occupy himself with, when he or she has to wait or is in transit. Let every child have a small bag of toys, reading books, creative art materials, or M3 player, cuddly toys etc. when they have to spend long time outside their own home. Adults need to pay attention to children to help them in their adjustment process, when they are away from home. If children are restless at home, consider if they have an environment which can occupy them. Every home needs to have an inclusive approach where children will have an access to toys, books, creative activities of art, music, play, etc. They need a place which they can call it as their own- a table, shelf, chair, etc. 

About fifty percent of children whom parents bring for consultation for inattention or restlessness are those who do not have opportunities to be actively engaged in out-door activities of play, games or sports or not having stimulating and engaging activities at home. Most of what children are made to do are academic activities at school and home that some children are disinclined to learn. 

Ravi, a eight year old child mentioned to me that, 'What is common between home and school is the pressure to study. I am tired of this. When will they let me enjoy my childhood?'. Ravi got first prize in elocution and solo singing at the school cultural festival. He actively participated in athletics and played in the school basket ball team. 

We, adults and parents, need a different mind set, to think about the all round needs of children.  A child is more than a student.  

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)