Life-affirming potential of this BLOG

The Purpose of the Blog

Realizing the immense potential of the instrument of the Internet in our age of information technology I thought of starting this blog as part of my ministry of ‘spiritual conversations’ which can take varied forms and formats. My focus will mainly be, though not exclusively, on formative Christian spirituality which is open to cosmic-human-divine relationships.

A blog is a mini-website where entries are made in journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order. It is a web-platform, a shared and interactive space where readers can post their comments. You are most welcome to interact and contribute to this venture and give this URL (http://www.vmalpan.blogspot.com)

to your friends.

You can contact me through my E-Mail id: vmalpan@gmail.com

Thank you very much. God bless!

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The Triune God is present

and active in our World,

in our Continent,

in our Country,

in our Community.

Let us see... Let us listen…

Let us respond. AMDG!

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vmalpan@gmail.com

African Prayer

“Mystery-working God, You who poured milk into the coconut without opening its shell, may your word find a way in, even when stubbornness shuts the door to my heart. You who planted the banana tree without the help of a seed, may your blessing germinate in my life, even when hardness of heart makes the soil infertile. You who divided the kola-nut without splitting apart its lobes, may evil thoughts and malicious intentions vanish from my heart without leaving a trace. Amen!” Courtesy: Agbonkhianmehe E. Orobator, Theology Brewed in an African Pot ((Maryknoll, New York, Orbis Books, 2008), p. 12

Learning from a mother-dog

Dog rescuing an abandoned baby girl : Embroidery Presentation and the text of the story below are from Little Sister Jane Namayiani of Jesus, (Toy Market, Kibera-Tel Number: +254- 711855249), Nairobi - Kenya.

In 2005 A dog in Race Course area of Dagoretti Corner, Nairobi, proved that it is truly more than man’s best friend by rescuing an abandoned new baby from a forest... The baby girl, christened “Angel” by the staff of Kenyatta National Hospital where she is being attended to, must have been dumped by its mother. The dog was said to have been foraging for food for its puppies in the nearby Ngong forest where it stumbled on the little baby. It carried the baby to its owner’s house at around 11 am. The infant was wrapped in an old tattered short. In true motherly fashion the dog, together with one its puppies, watched over the infant until someone came. Surprisingly, Angel was unharmed despite the fact that the dog had crossed the busy Ngong Road and passed through a barbed wire fence to get to its master’s home. “I was going about my job in the house when boys playing nearby told me that there was a baby crying next to the dogs,” said Ms. Linet Gogany who lives nearby. She then approached the two resting dogs with the baby protectively placed between them. There, she found one of the infant’s legs dangling out of the dirty black short. Fearing that it was dead, she raised an alarm, attracting neighbours. The baby is being attended to by a nurse at the Kenyatta National Hospital (Nairobi) after officers from Karen police station took it to the facility ...

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Does this story evoke some response in me?

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vmalpan@gmail.com

"Some Fresh Air"

The Risen Jesus and the Emmaus - Disciples

"Children of God?" 1 John 3:1-7 Luke 24:36-48 "Some Fresh Air" Luke 24:36-49 "I Can't Sleep!" Psalm 4

"Children of God?" 1 John 3:1-7 Luke 24:36-48 John's words about God's children remind me of a story. Once upon a time there was a woman who had two daughters. The woman was a wise and loving mother. But despite her care for them they grew up hateful and selfish. As soon as they could they both abandoned their mother and went out to fulfill their selfish desires. Years passed and the woman, who had stayed in contact with her two wayward daughters, discovered that she was terminally ill. Out of love she sent word to both daughters telling them that her days were short. One of the daughters came to her mother and spent her last days with her. As she watched her mother suffer and die she grew to know her again for the first time. She saw the faith and the love and the wisdom that was always in her mother but that her selfishness had never before let her see. When the woman died her other daughter arrived for the funeral. But people could see the difference between the two daughters. The one that had been with her mother had learned her wisdom and love. She was no longer the selfish, spiteful woman her sister remained. She was like her mother a person of love and wisdom. What does it mean to be called the children of God? To some people "the Children of God" means one thing and to others another? Some say, "We're all God's children aren't we?" Well, that sounds reasonable because we are all descendants of the first human beings created by God. Often this way of speaking of all God's children is a way of calling for human rights for all and love for neighbor. After all if we are all "God's Children" then even a non-Christian of a different race on the other side of the world is my sister or brother. In that sense we are all children of God by creation. But John has a different meaning of "The Children of God" in mind. He is not thinking of "God's children by creation" but "God's children by salvation." He writes, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"(NIV) To John the title "Children of God" is a lavish gift from God the Father. It is a title that we have and some don't. But before you get proud and think you are somehow special because you are called "God's Children" consider this. Nowhere does it say that this title was not offered to others. In fact a reading of the Gospels makes it clear that Jesus offered this title "Child of God" to everyone. it is just a matter of some accepting it and others rejecting it. Like the two daughters in the parable: One got to know her mother and gained a great gift from it. She is truly the daughter because of her wise and loving mother. The other did not, but stayed a selfish spiteful emotional orphan. We were all God's Children by creation. But only a few have accepted the gift of that relationship with God and they are God's Children by salvation. So what does it mean to us that God has lavished this great gift on us? First of all it means that we are inheritors of the riches of the Kingdom of God. John writes, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." Some people think of heaven as just a continuation of this life without all the negative things present. But the Bible speaks of us becoming glorified. It says that we will be like Jesus. Do you remember the passage I read from Luke. It described Jesus as appearing as he had in life. He was even able to eat with the disciples. The wounds that had killed him were ever visible. But at the same time he was able to appear in locked rooms and disappear at will. John says, "What we will be has not been made known." I won't try to speculate on how we will appear after the resurrection. But it's clear that the depth of our inheritance in Christ is far beyond what we can even imagine. We speak of heaven as having streets of gold, but its glory is far beyond that. By calling us "Children of God" and heirs of heaven we have indeed be given a lavish gift from God. But is that all it means to be called a child of God? No, as children of God we are also called to responsibilities. John says that "everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he (Jesus) is pure." So as God's Children, we have a responsibility to live pure lives. John goes on, "In him (Jesus) there is no sin." And if we are in him, and Children of God, there should be no sin in us. John says, "No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him of known him." Does that mean that a person who commits any sin is no longer a Child of God? That is how some have interpreted this. But John is talking about continued unrepentant sinning. We all commit sins. The difference is that when a Child of God recognizes they have sinned, they repent, and with God's help they try to purify their lives of that sin. So as Children of God we have a responsibility to become more like Christ in our daily lives. Some people think that receiving the gift of salvation is the end of the road. But this makes it clear it is just the beginning. Now that we are Children of God we are called to let the Holy Spirit mold our lives to be more like Christ's. Like the daughter who came to her mother before her death we are called to get to know our heavenly Father and become like him. Perhaps another parable will bring all things together. Once upon a time there was a king who had great wealth. In this king's realm there was a region that had been through a great famine. Since the king had such great wealth he sent great amounts of aid to that region. In fact he sent so much that the region became the richest in the kingdom. How should the people of that region react to the King? Should they show undying loyalty to that king? Or should they openly disregard that king's laws? You tell me. Out of great love God has made you Children of God. The greatness and the depth of this gift will not be fully realized on this side of the resurrection. If we are truly grateful for this gift and look for the hope of Jesus' return, then it should effect the way we live. We should seek to follows God's ways as shown to us in Christ. In other words, if we are children of God, we should act like it. ++++++++++++++

"Some Fresh Air" Luke 24:36-49 The room was dark. John tells us that the doors and shutters were closed. The air in that room was probably stale because of lack of good ventilation. And everyone was quiet; speaking only in hushed whispers. The disciples were gathered there for fear of the Jews. The Jewish authorities had killed Jesus just three days before. They had crucified Jesus their leader; the messiah of God. What would they do to them. So they kept quiet so that no one would find them. Perhaps they even thought of fleeing the city by night to escape. The pressure was taking its toll on the mental state of the disciples. That morning some of the women snapped and started babbling about Jesus being alive. The realization that someone had gone as far as to steal his body had pushed them over the edge. The air was so thick with tension that Thomas decided to just leave for a while. Then someone knocked on the door. Everyone held their breath for fear that it was the Romans come to arrest them. To their relief it was just two of Jesus followers who had left town that morning. They too had gone off the deep end and were babbling about seeing the Lord. Then the door was quickly shut and bolted again and they talked about it in hushed whispers. Then, suddenly, there was light in the darkness. The light wasn't coming through the shutters or the doors they were still bolted shut. It was from the middle of the room. It was coming from Jesus!? Jesus was standing in the middle of the room; alive! He opened his arms and said, "Peace be with you!" They were startled and terrified. Perhaps they had lost their minds. Or maybe it was Jesus' ghost come to haunt them for betraying him. Jesus spoke: "Why are you frightened? Why do you doubt what you have heard? I am alive just as they told you. Look touch my hand and side. I am flesh and bone. I am not a ghost!" And even as they looked at his hands and feet they had trouble believing. Then Jesus said, "I'm hungry. You got anything to eat around here?" They gave him some fish and watched in amazement as he ate. Then Jesus began to teach to them again. He said, "I've already told you this but I'm going to tell you again. Everything that the Bible says will happen must happen." Then he opened their minds to see how the scriptures were being fulfilled. And he showed them that it was written that he should die on a cross and rise on the third day. Then Jesus said something that probably worried or even scared the disciples at first. He said, "It's God's will that everyone hear about repentance and forgiveness in my name. Begin in Jerusalem and tell it to all the would. It’s your job to be my witnesses. It’s your job to let them know that they can have new life through me!" I imagine someone laughed out load. "Ha ha ha ha. That Jesus is such a kidder. He doesn't really expect us to go out and start telling people about repentance and forgiveness in his name. If we go out there openly talking about following Jesus, they'll kill us! 'Go witness!' That's easy for him to say. He's already been crucified, but I haven't and I don't plan to be." But Jesus went on. Remember when the prophets promised that God would pour out the spirit on all flesh. Well, that's about to happen. Just stay here in the city until you have been armored with power from above. These first Christian faced incredible odds. The Roman Empire was strong and several times they tried to stamp out this new religion. But power came from above and they told people about the truth of repentance and forgiveness in Jesus name. And the church moved out of that stale dark upper room. At Pentecost they opened the doors and let some fresh air in. And they openly came out into the light to give their testimony. But the church today seems to have retreated to that Upper Room mentality. We no longer bolt the doors and shutter the windows. Instead we hide behind carved doors and rose colored stain glass windows. Wheew. Is it just me or is it getting stuffy in here? Maybe we need to open the doors and windows and let some fresh air in. But people are afraid to let in some fresh air. They are afraid that those outside will find out that they are disciples of Christ. They are afraid to go out there and face the ugliness of the world and tell it about salvation in Jesus' name. So we hide in our Sunday morning Upper Rooms. And we keep quiet for fear that the neighbors will hear us. Jesus told us to be witnesses. To boldly go where no disciple has gone before and tell people of love and grace through Jesus Christ. But we haven't been doing it, because if we had more people would know about it. Have you ever sat down and told someone about Jesus? Have you told them that Jesus died for their sins and if they would accept him they would have eternal life? Have you taken the risk to love and outcast because God first loved you? I saw a poster once that said, "If being a Christian were a crime, would there be enough evidence to find you guilty?" I think we would have trouble getting an indictment on most "Christians." We might not even have enough evidence to get a search warrant. If I were to interrogate your friends and neighbors and co-workers, would they say you are a Christian or would they say, "They go to church but I don't know for sure?" To bear witness we must be willing to let people see our religion at work. You might be afraid to let people know you are a Christian. They might think you are a fanatic. They might not associate with you. If you showed God’s love to the wrong people or spoke out against the wrong thing, they might not like you any more. If you are afraid, for whatever reason, you are not alone. Jesus' first witnesses were afraid too. But God gave them the strength to face their fears. And God will give you strength to be his witnesses. You have already been given that power. Simply Believe! +++++++++++++ "I Can't Sleep!" Psalm 4 "I can't sleep!" Insomnia is a most hideous condition. Sleep is necessary to live. Without it the body eventually breaks down. It is also important to our mental and emotional well being. While we sleep we dream and those dreams are often our mind's way of working out the conflicts and problems of the day. But sleep is more than just a time of unconsciousness. It is also a metaphor for peace. Peace in a sense is the sleep of the soul. Just as the body and the mind need a rest from the day's trials so the soul needs a rest to bring peace. Without this rest of the soul the result is spiritual turmoil. Just as the body would die without sleep, and the mind be lost without rest, so the soul dies without peace. But there is so much that takes peace out of our lives. There are worries about the state of the world. Wars plagues, natural disasters. Will the forces of evil in all these conflicts win out and what will be the effect. There are worries about our communities. Drugs, AIDS, crime.... Will some drug crazed person break into my house, my home. And there are worries about the future. Will I get cancer, will someone I love develop Alzheimer’s, will the family finances hold out. And we worry about the ones we love. Will they find eternal peace. Will our children or grandchildren find happiness and meaning in life. Will they go to heaven? And sometimes we lose sleep over these worries and often they rob us of peace. So why all this talk of sleep and rest. You may be wondering if I have been suffering from insomnia. Well the author of Psalm 4 seems to have been worried and having trouble sleeping. He begins with a desperate plea to God, "Answer me when I call, O God of my right." And after praying through his troubles he concludes, "In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety." I imagine the psalmist lying down at night and not being able to sleep. He is worried and that worry keeps him awake so he prays. And what is he worried about? For one, some people have told lies about him and others have believed those lies. But in faith he says, "I know that the Lord has set apart the righteous." Despite the fact that other people believe the lies he knows God will hear and listen to him. But while the psalmist is hurt by the lies of his enemies he also cares about them. He counsels them to be angry but not sin. They should keep the lies to themselves and not go around spreading gossip. Finally he takes his own advice and puts his trust in the Lord. The result is a finale of praise. "You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound." And finally he can sleep: "In peace I will both lie down and sleep;" Why can he sleep? "For you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety." So, you may wonder, am I having trouble sleeping? Not literally, but in the sense of finding peace I would have to say yes. Like the psalmist it worries me that people believe the lies that world tells them. I am concerned that because they have not accepted Jesus, that they will not find eternal rest in God. It worries me that people are dying, literally dying, around us because they don't know the love of God. And sometimes these worries weigh heavily upon me and I pray as I try to find some rest. Sometimes like the psalmist I lie awake bearing my soul to God. A couple weeks ago I was here at the church at a committee meeting. And as often happens we got off the subject of the meeting and began talking about youth and how we could minister to them. At about the same time that evening a young man put a gun to his head and shot himself. It may have been an accident that the gun went off. But at the very least it reminds us that many young people shoot themselves on purpose, Or take unnecessary risks, or poison themselves with drugs. It's not that we don't care. We do care! We hurt for the young people who think they have nothing to live for. We hurt for the old people who are alone and sick. Our hearts go our to families that are torn apart and broken; for the homeless and the unemployed. It's not that we don't care, because we do. It's that so often we don't know what to do? How do we reach the young and tell them that there is a reason to live: Jesus? How do we share the love of God with people who often don't want to be bothered by strangers? How do we take the light of Christ into a dark and dying world? And our lack of knowing what to do makes us even more anxious. I believe there are two important lessons to learn from this psalmist. First of all, there would be a problem if we were not disturbed. It is good that the world around us makes us uneasy. It is good that we can see the evil and feel the pain of our neighbor. It is good that our peace is disturbed by the lost-ness and the darkness of this world. If we were not disturbed by the world as it is then we would really have a trouble. It is those who are beyond being disturbed by the evil that are really dead. They are nothing more than the walking dead because their souls have lost all sensitivity. The people who are at peace with the turmoil of our world are not resting like one who sleep but like one who is dead. The fact that we do care, that we are disturbed is a sign that we are alive. It's evidence that God is at work in our lives. It shows us that God's love is in our hearts making them hurt and break for the lost souls. It is Christ alive in us that gives our spirits the ability to be disturbed. It's good that we lose a little sleep over the people we care for. The second lesson I learn from the psalmist is this: Only God can give true peace and rest. He prayed, "for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety." God is the one who gives us the sensitivity to be disturbed by our world. God is also the one who can give us peace and rest. So, if you can't sleep at night, if you have trouble resting, if worries keep you awake, take this psalmist's advice. "Put your trust in the Lord." When you are disturbed by the problems of our world and your helplessness in the face of them. Turn to the one who is not helpless. And God will give you peace. Not a peace like the world gives; for that is nothing more than a cold numbness. But God will make you lie down in peace for God alone will make you lie down in safety.]

Courtesy: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Ithaca/1506/east3b.htm#top

vmalpan@gmail.com

Praying with the Bible 2

Make an act of faith in the loving presence of the Triune God: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit...

Be aware of where you are and what you are feeling just now... joy, sorrow, anxiety, doubt, anger, restlessness,...

Be aware of the persons in the above picture... spend a few moments looking at it...

Be quiet... Let every negative experience flow away from you...

The Triune God is present and active in you here and now...

Pray the following verses from the book of Genesis line by line with faith, hope and love and experience their powerful message...

"The God said, "Let us make man in our image,

after our likeness;

and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,

and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle,

and over all the earth,

and over every creeping thing

that creeps upon the earth.

"So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

And God blessed them..." (Genesis 1:26-28)

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Contact E-Mail: vmalpan@gmail.com

2009: Year of Reconciliation

2009 – The International Year of Reconciliation

By Cedric Prakash sj

The United Nations has declared this year, 2009 as the International Year of Reconciliation, the International Year of Human Rights Learning, the International Year of Natural Fibres and the International Year of Astronomy. The focus of most communications so far has been on the International Year of Astronomy. However, in the context of escalating violence and growing conflicts in various parts of the world, it is the International Year of Reconciliation (Resolution A/RES/61/17, 23 January 2007) that should be in the spotlight. It could not have come at a more opportune time and is meant to highlight the urgent need of reconciliation processes in societies affected by conflict. In a world increasingly being torn asunder by lack of tolerance, there are cries for change, for the healing touch, for reconciliation.Reconciliation means, bringing back friendship or harmony and pre-supposes that there is a conflict which needs to be addressed. However, reconciliation is not about cosmetic gestures like hand-shakes after a fight, or temporary cease-fires. The starting point of reconciliation is an awareness of the transgression (where the perpetrator is concerned), and a genuine remorse which leads to a firm purpose of amendment. and ultimately concrete action. For us Christians, this is vividly portrayed in the parable of the Prodigal Son, where the son realizes what he has done, and in true contrition, returns home, to ask forgiveness from his father.At a personal level, the Sacrament of Reconciliation provides us with that opportunity to receive the Father's forgiveness and grace, provided our sorrow is real, and that we make efforts to address the sin. Reconciliation has to be made tangible in relationships in families, in neighbourhoods, in society. We live in a very divisive world in which we tend to alienate others on the basis of religion, class, caste, gender, colour, education. There is much therefore, that each one of us can do, at many different levels. The UN recognizes that reconciliation processes are particularly necessary and urgent, in countries and regions of the world, which have suffered or are suffering situations of conflict, that have affected and divided societies in their various internal, national and international facets.In India, we have several areas that yearn for justice and peace. The situation in North-East India has been violent for several decades now. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is far from resolved. Minorities in Orissa, Karnataka, Gujarat and several parts of India are at the receiving end of atrocities. Adivasis and Dalits are still marginalized. In a male-dominated society women have to struggle for equity. Yes, there is plenty to be done towards reconciliation !On 13th February 2008, Mr. Kevin Rudd, the Prime Minister of Australia, touched the heartstrings of millions across the world when in a moving speech, he made an apology to Australia's indigenous peoples in the House of Representatives of Australia. "There comes a time in the history of nations when their peoples must become fully reconciled to their past if they are to go forward with confidence to embrace their future", he asserted. His very emotional speech did not change the past, but it has created a thaw in the hearts and lives of many of the indigenous peoples of Australia.There are several other instances of leaders apologizing for the wrongs of history. However what is more important today, is for contemporary leaders, to acknowledge and take responsibility for spewing hate and violence through their political machinations. They must show true remorse for their deeds by substantial action. India will be a very different country if the likes of Advani, Modi, Yeddiyurappa, Navin Patnaik and their ilk actually come out and take the first step towards reconciliation. They must begin to respect and defend the rights of all, as enshrined in our ConstitutionIn a Decree entitled, 'Challenge to our Mission Today', the 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus emphasizes a mission of reconciliation, that "calls us to build a new world of right relationships, a new Jubilee reaching across all divisions so that God might restore His justice for all". This International Year of Reconciliation, therefore poses several challenges to all of us – the challenge to realize that dialogue must take place among opponents but only from positions of equity, respect and tolerance; the challenge to realize that truth and justice are indispensable elements for the attainment of reconciliation; and finally, when the first two are met, is the challenge to realise that reconciliation is generosity of spirit that embraces all.

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Courtsy: Catholic News Asia Update

HIV AIDS Orphans

In the following write-up Stephen Nzyoki SJ shares his Experience in a School for HIV/AIDS Affected Orphan Children in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya. It is the Little Things That We Do…..! The opening of schools around Kenya for yet another year reminds me vividly of the 8 weeks I spent last year teaching in a school in the Kibera slums. As part of our theology curriculum at Hekima College in Nairobi, each theology student is required to spend between 6 and 8 weeks in a Church institution doing practical fieldwork. The aim of this fieldwork is to assess the self-actualization of the Church wherever it is. The idea is to assess how the Church affects the lives of the people it deals with, and how it endeavours to bring about the kingdom of God here on earth. My choice of institution for this practical field work was St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School situated within Kibera Slums in Nairobi. It is a co-educational school owned and run by C.L.C Kenya. It was started in the year 2002 in order to deal with the educational needs of HIV/AIDS orphans from within Kibera slums and beyond, based on a felt-need of starting something new for these young boys and girls who were segregated and stigmatized in the schools they were attending, and thus could not learn in peace. The School has grown over the years. As of last year, it had 265 students. My time in the school was truly inspiring and at the same time very challenging. What I found most astounding was the fact that these students have numerous needs. Needs which from the outside appear small, and sometimes even trivial, and yet for them they are grave needs. Their needs range from physical/tangible needs like the need for clothing, for food, for shelter, to psychological needs like protection and security, acceptance and affirmation and simply even friendship. Assessing these needs and cravings, I realized that that their needs arise from what they lack, whether or not we are able to perceive it. Many of these young people have grown up in the slums, amid abject poverty and insecurity. Many of them have never known the luxury we take for granted like living in a clean spacious room in a clean area where the air is fresh and where there are flowers or even grass outside the house. Again, many of them have never had the pleasure of playing with friends in a safe environment. Now, with the death of their parents or guardians, their already difficulty situations become impossible to cope with. And so, when we bring them to St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School, they are looking for more than just academics, they need a schooling and education far beyond the actual classroom teaching. They need acceptance and affirmation, they need friendship and love, and they need encouragement and inspiration. They are seeking a comforting yet encouraging voice, a voice that assures them that ‘they can’, that they can succeed in life, that they can make something of themselves in life, that life need not necessarily be the way it has been for them so far! It is thus in my daily interaction with them that it dawned on me that it is not so much the big, great things that we can do that can help them strive to achieve these things, but rather it is the simple things we do to and with them. It is the encouraging word, the motivating word, the moment we take to listen to them to really hear what they say, to help them dream that matters. The very gesture of wanting to spend some time with them instead of shunning or shunting them as HIV/AIDS orphans would be a great experience of healing for them. The small little things, the apparently insignificant gestures of love and concern that make all the difference to them! ======= Photos: www.sagnairobi.org/ ======= vmalpan@gmail.com