Faith

Rooted in His kingdom – Friday, 34th week in ordinary time – Luke 21:29-33

In Luke 21, Jesus reminds his followers that there is always more going on than meets the eye. There is more to reality than we might see at first glance. The illustration of the fig tree is often referred to as a “parable”. In the RSV translation it is more appropriately titled as the ‘ lesson of the fig tree’.

Once again Jesus draws a spiritual lesson from nature. In the scriptures of the last few days Jesus has been telling us about the passing of things and the dreadful events associated with the ending of things as we know them. Today he sums it up with the story of the fig tree. Deciduous trees sprout leaves indicating an upcoming change of seasons. When the branches of the fig tree become green and tender, you know that summer is near.

This “parable” is really more of an observation and a warning. The immediate context seems to refer to the fig tree in a natural (not symbolic) sense. While it is clear in scriptures that Israel is symbolized, at times, by the fig tree, the usage here simply seems to be that of a tree and the lessons it offers us. The imagery of the fig tree sprouting new leaves heralds the coming of the Son of Man, calling the listener to have eyes to see the signs, and the good sense to be ready. 

Jesus is telling us to notice the signs of the times for it indicates the arrival, the advent, the presence, and the power of the Kingdom of God; like new leaves  sprouting on a fig tree. This observation will help us to discern between what is of true value in the kingdom of God  and what is passing. Hence there is a need to  be watchful. The Christian must never come to think that he is living in a settled situation. He must be a man who lives in a permanent state of expectation.

This parable could also be used to illustrate what we mean today by “discernment”. The word is applied to a process of searching for God’s will and deciding how to respond to it. Through gospel contemplation we allow ourselves to absorb the attitudes and values of Jesus. These then become the criteria by which we evaluate the situation in which we find ourselves and the particular issue calling for a decision. In a way we are  all looking for “signs”. These will not be cosmic disturbances in the heavens but inner movements of spiritual consolation or desolation.

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THE BOMBAY SEMINARY: The Two Popes

 Over the last sixty years, the magnificent yet humble Bombay Seminary has opened its doors and hearts to several visitors, guests, seminars, and programs. This ‘City on a green Hill’ has been an object of great curiosity and interest to all, serving as one of the premier institutions of the Archdiocese of Bombay. Among its visitors have been several Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Seminary Professors, Rectors, and the lay folk from within the Archdiocese, India, and abroad.

But who can ever forget the enviable call of the two Popes – now Saints? – The building resounded with happiness, the spirit of which echoes to date. Through this article let’s hearken to this thrilling story of the storeys of the Bombay Seminary.

The Visit of St. Pope Paul VI – December 5, 1964

 St. Paul VI, the ‘Pilgrim Pope’, made history when he visited Bombay, India to participate in the 38th International Eucharistic Congress from 2nd to 5th December 1964. He received during his stay people of all classes, creeds, and communities, the warmest, biggest, and most spontaneous demonstrations of public esteem and affection ever accorded to a distinguished visitor in India’s First City. On December 5, the last day of his visit, the Pope was scheduled to address a gathering of priests at the Seminary before his departure for Rome. The Souvenir of the event records the incident as follows:

‘The open white convertible raced along arriving fifteen minutes late i.e. at 10:20 am. That meant a shortening of the original forty-minute stay at the Seminary, to a mere twenty-five. All were obsessed with the thought that they had to leave Goregaon not later than 10:45 am…From eight o’clock in the morning, priest and bishops had streamed in for this was to be the session of the Holy Father, with his priests, in India. The Seminary was a natural venue. A special cameraman had been commissioned with his panoramic camera for the occasion.’

The Holy Father was seen ascending the Seminary’s main steps. Due to an organizational foul-up, the Pope never got to address the eager and expectant gathering on the lawn. He visited the Seminary Chapel and admired its stained glass windows as also the remarkable mosaic on the Last Supper in the Sanctuary. Then the Pope was led into Pope John XXIII Hall where a small group of priests and seminarians had gathered. The Holy Father addressed this surprised group first in English from a prepared text, and then extemporaneously in Italian.

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Signs and the Son – Thursday, 34th week in ordinary time – Luke 21:20-28

This is the third and final part of the apocalyptic tract in the Gospel of Luke. (Luke 21: 5-28) As elsewhere in apocalyptic literature, we find here references to the eschatological crises of persecution, famine and war, impending salvation and judgment, and exhortations to specific actions in the midst of suffering. There is a mixture here of two distinct prophecies of Jesus and the bringing together of two events: one of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies in 70 A.D; the other of the second coming of Christ at the end of the time. One happens within history, the other marks the end of history.

In 66 A.D. a Roman prefect attempted to seize money from the temple causing the Jews to revolt. The Romans acted to suppress the revolt but the Jews ambushed and defeated a Roman expeditionary force, killing 6,000 Roman soldiers. In 70 A.D. Titus brought 60,000 soldiers to Jerusalem and laid siege to it. They built a five-mile long barricade around Jerusalem. Many Jews fled to escape the city but the Romans crucified them to intimidate the population. According to one account they crucified up to 500 people a day. As the siege continued those inside the city carried the dead outside. The Romans appointed someone to count the number: it was 115,880.

Eventually the Romans built an earth ramp up to the top of the walls and used battering rams to break down the walls, and took the city. The temple was burned. It is believed that the gold inlay melted and seeped between the large stones. The Romans tore down the temple in order to retrieve the gold. They brought nearly 100,000 prisoners back to Rome and paraded them through the streets in a procession. In AD 82 they built a massive arch to honour Titus for his conquests which still exists in the Roman Forum behind the Capitoline museums. It has a carving on it of Romans soldiers carrying away the temple lamp stand.

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Stop reading tea leaves – Wednesday, 34th Week in ordinary time – Luke 21:12-19

Every generation since the cross has thought that theirs was the last generation and none of them were right. Worry and doubt distract us from the important job of spreading the gospel message. This is the sum and substance of what Jesus wants to teach us today.

The text of Luke 21:5-28 which forms the larger frame work of today’s pericope begins with the destruction of the temple, moves to geo-political chaos, to religious and social rejection (extending even to family) and finally to a promise of safety amidst the chaos of martyrdom. This must have come as quite a shock to the disciples who having finally arrived in Jerusalem were awaiting a  triumph only to be warned that they would face persecution because of Him.

The disciples were to be brought before kings and rulers who would question them about their faith in Jesus. In the immediate context, the Jews would disown and betray them to the Romans. The actual word here, “hand over” (verse 12) is the same Greek word used to describe Judas’ betrayal of Jesus as well as the handing over of Jesus to Pilate. This act on the part of the Jews was in fact a betrayal of a fellow Israelite to a foreigner, something that was forbidden in Jewish law.

Yet the disciple was to bear witness, a witness that would bring about tension and separation from parents and family, friends and relations, and some of them would even be put to death. So Jesus gave them practical advice to deal with adversity for this adversity was to be an opportunity to share the Good News and to testify  to Jesus (21:13). Just as God gave Moses and other prophets the capacity to speak to and confront their doubters and opponents ( Exodus 6:28-7:13; Jeremiah 1:6-10), Jesus himself will provide strength and wisdom for such testimony (Luke 21:15). Using a proverb that signifies divine protection, Jesus tells them that not a hair on their head will perish.

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THE BOMBAY SEMINARY: The First Diocesan Rector

In July 1970 when the Rector, Fr. Joe Rodericks S.J. was also appointed by his Superiors as Procurator of the Bombay Province, Fr. Laguia S.J., who wrote the Historia Domus noted that there were rumors in the air that the Cardinal would soon announce a new Auxiliary or a new Rector of the Seminary. But he added that the rumors were quickly belied.

One day out of the blue, the Clergy, Diocesan and Religious – and the Nuns as well received a letter from the Cardinal inviting them to a meeting on February 13, 1971, at the Seminary because he had “something of great importance” to communicate to them. Everybody wondered what could this matter be that called for such an urgent and cryptic invitation.

When the Clergy and the Nuns assembled in the Seminary that day at 5 p.m. they saw on the dais Fr. Ferrando S.J. the Vice-Rector (his duties as Procurator of the Province took the Rector, Fr. Rodericks S.J., away from the Seminary a good deal of the time) seated to the left of the Cardinal, and to the Cardinal’s right were Auxiliary Bishop Winnibald Menezes and Msgr. Simon Pimenta, the Rector of the Holy Name Cathedral.

After thanking the assembly for responding to his invitation at such short notice, the Cardinal announced the appointment of Msgr. Pimenta as the new Rector of the Seminary with effect from June 1971, the first Diocesan priest to be appointed to the post. He took the occasion to recall the Agreement of 1940, the excellent manner in which the Society of Jesus had cared for the Seminary since 1936, and the involvement of the diocesan clergy over the years on the teaching staff of the Seminary.

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