Faith

No consultation just communication – Tuesday, 4th Week of Advent – Isaiah 7:10-14/Luke 1:26-38

“And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you will name him Jesus.”

We live in a world where any communication, even remotely sensed as dictatorial or authoritative is frowned upon. Nations that are run by military juntas, communism or even those that are pseudo democratic are approached with caution; for consultation is nonexistent and a demand is made to fall in line. The world is sensitive to the way we communicate with each other. Language has become more inclusive, less judgmental and stereotypical and extremely gender sensitive. Communication, especially in social environment demands sensitivity and politeness; you could lose your job over one callous misplaced comment.

Weigh all of this with a communication that happened 2000 years ago. It lacked all the social niceties of the modern world. The privacy of a young virgin was breached. There is no evidence that a door was knocked on or a polite request was made to enter and not even an appointment taken. What followed next was shocking by modern demands of a courteous communication; a message was communicated and consultation was not even a consideration. There was no negotiation nor was time given to weigh the pros and cons. There was no attempt to bring all parties on board and no wider consultation with Mary’s betrothed; who it almost seems had no choice in the matter. Mary’s perplexities were not addressed by a committee of human resource personnel. There was but a brief communique; a statement of intent, if you may.

Yes, Mary was told she need not be afraid but nothing after that sounded very reassuring; on the contrary very demanding with a to-do list attached. “And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son.” Mary had just two lines in terms of a response. The first was a clarification, “how can this be since I am a virgin?” The second was a statement of acceptance, “Here I am, the servant of the Lord, let it be with me according to your word.”

While the ‘fiat’ or the ‘yes’ of Mary is made much of, as if it was the obvious answer to the worlds best job offer, the reality was quite different. Yet in a world that weighs its options and chooses what is best for us, here was a simple fourteen or sixteen odd year-old girl who took no offence of how she was asked or by whom she was asked. She never asked for a contract or demanded to see the fine print. There was a ‘demand’ made by God and she accepted it blindly, trusting in the one who made the request rather than getting lost in myriad details of the plan that would eventually unfold.

The problem with many faith believers is that we treat faith-based activity like we approach a job prospect. We want to see the offer at hand, check the fine print, run over possibilities, weigh options, get feelers from the market and so on. The call of God cannot be analyzed under a microscope. It demands a faith in him knowing that the plan comes from him and he has the blueprint carved it the palm of his hand.

Fr Warner D’souza

If you wish to read another article on this topic that I wrote some time ago you may click on this link
https://www.pottypadre.com/to-a-girl-named-mary-an-angel-came-monday-4th-week-in-advent-luke-126-38/

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Faith

Drawing consolation not questions – Monday, 4th Week in Advent – Jgs13:2-7,24-25a/Luke 1:5-25

Sometime ago I wrote an article based on today’s Gospel. I entitled it ‘A man in silence a woman in seclusion- and all this is good news! ‘ You can read the same by clicking on this link https://www.pottypadre.com/a-man-in-silence-a-woman-in-seclusion-and-all-this-is-good-news-saturday-3rd-week-in-advent-luke-15-25/

Today, I want to share three reflections that flow from this Gospel.

1. Why do bad things happen to good people?
This is an eternal question that has come to haunt us. It’s not a sporadic question but for those who are faithful it seems that this question pops up ever so often in our head. The Gospel presents us with Zacharias and Elizabeth; both we are told, “were righteous before God, living blameless according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord” but and here is the big BUT, they were barren. To be barren was a social stigma at that time; an unbearable shame. So why them?

Draw consolation not a question from this text. We who love the Lord with all our heart stand in line with the saints who also had great challenges thrown at them. Heartache, suffering and challenges are not a sign of God’s disapproval nor is winning a lottery a sign of God’s love. God is not to be turned into the image of Santa who sees if you have been bad or good and then chucks a goody down your chimney as a reward. God is good and calls our every response to every challenge to also be good, thereby bringing goodness to the world. Zechariah still went to the temple, his love for worship was not conditional to the gifts he thought he deserved.

2. In his time – an acclamation of faith
For many, “In his time” is merely a hymn we sing in Church. Yet, this hymn is not some a ‘restoril’ for a troubled heart with the power to numb you in troubled times. On the contrary, this hymn is a loud and vociferous acclamation of faith that we proclaim. When we sing this hymn, it is our way of affirming that God in the past has delivered for us and that he will do the same. He did it for Zechariah and Elizabeth at a time when they were well past child bearing years. He sent us a saviour in his time and when Christ will come again, it will be in his time.

3. Do not be afraid – the message of Christmas
Fear grips all of us and to be afraid is natural. If you encounter a tiger in a forest, please be afraid enough to run for your life; counting his teeth will only find you examining the inside of his stomach. The problem with fear is when it takes control of us constantly; that damages us. The Christmas story resonated with people who at first were afraid; in fact, three of the four were heavyweights of the Christmas narrative. Zechariahs was afraid (1:12), Mary was afraid (1:30), Joseph was afraid to take Mary home to be his wife, the shepherds were afraid 2:10). Yet the Christmas story is also filled with reassurance. Four times you will find that words expressing fear and apprehension are met with the message of assurance from no less than the angels; each time the message is the same, “do not be afraid.” The Christmas story is our story too for we too experience a world of fear but we too experience the comfort of God.

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Uncategorized

A Christmas Hosanna – Friday, 3rd Week in Advent – Isaiah 56:1-3,6-8/John 5:33-36

The curtain falls today on the first part of our advent preparation. From tomorrow the readings step right into the run up to the Christmas narrative. But for today, we take one more glance at our calling to prepare for the second coming of Christ.

The Gospel taken from St John forms part of a larger text that we read in the fourth week of Lent. So, what’s a Lenten reading doing in Advent? The focus of the reading in Advent is very different from that of the one in Lent. In Lent, Jesus is in the dock, accused by the religious establishment of his time. In Chapter five Jesus gives his keynote speech and then presents us with his testimony and credentials. These credentials and testimony are seen in the season of Advent as a ratification of the fact that Jesus is the Messiah as announced by John the Baptist.

In response to the Jews who want to know how he could make a claim that he was indeed the Son of God, Jesus calls on his second witness, John the Baptist. It was John whom the Jewish authorities sent delegates to (verse 33), inquiring about Jesus. Jesus acknowledges the testimony of John, not that he needed it or accepted any human testimony (as he says in verse 34).

Interestingly, Jesus refers to John as the, “burning and shining lamp.” This should be the focus of today’s reading. Notice, Jesus calls John ‘the lamp’, for He (Jesus) is ‘the light’. Jesus does not fight shy in proclaiming the truth of his divinity. He does this not to stand under a spotlight but as he says in today’s text, “that you may be saved.”(verse 34)

The Gospel of today, in presenting the truth of Christ makes one last ditch appeal before we change the focus of the liturgy tomorrow; that the world may accept the truth of the divinity of Christ and the reason for the season. He is the light in which we need to bask in. Jesus declares this truth in one of this “I am statements” when he said, “I am the light of the world.” He made this claim in the very temple of Jerusalem for all to hear so that all would be saved.

Jesus does not proclaim the truth of faith in some dark deserted corner but does so in the most visible places so that his truth may be heard boldly and loudly. There are voices today that want to shut down the truth that Jesus came to proclaim; “ I am the way, the truth and the life, no one can come to the father except through me.”

The birth of Christ cannot be reduced to a statement of festivity and merriment (that’s why I don’t like the words merry Christmas but prefer HAPPY Christmas). The birth of Christ is a pivotal moment in human and salvation history. It is a moment of tremendous grace when God in his goodness sent a saviour to save us from our sin. This and only this is the reason for the season. Rejoicing and merriment stems not from a beautiful tree or a well decorated Church, the joy of Christmas comes primarily from the truth that a saviour born and a son that is given to save us.

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Food

Kheema (mince) In Green Masala

500g Lamb or Beef Mince
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp vinegar

Ingredients required for Green Masala
1 cup fresh coriander
4-5 green chillies
1″ ginger piece
4-5 garlic cloves
Tamarind (lime size)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
Water as required

Ingredients for cooking the dish
3 green cardamom
1 inch cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
2 medium onions (chopped finely)
1 tbsp Jeerem Meerem Powder
1 cup water
1/3 cup green peas
1/2 tsp sugar
Salt to taste
Fresh coriander leaves – half a cup chopped

How to make Jeerem Meerem Powder or Cumin and black pepper( this can be made and stored)
1 tbsp black pepper corns
1/2 tbsp Cumin seeds
1/2″ cinnamon stick
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
2 dried red chillies (optional)
4-5 cloves
(Grind into fine powder & use 1 tbsp)

Method
Marinate the raw mince ( after washing it) with vinegar and salt and set aside for ten minutes. Grind all the ingredients listed above for the green masala and set aside. A quick grind is all you need, don’t overdo it.

In a dish, heat about four tablespoons of oil (or as desired) and add the cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaf. When it crackles and the oil is released from the condiments add the finely chopped onions. Fry this till it is translucent and then add the green masala and stir fry this for about half a minute. Now add the mince and stir well. Cook this for about five minutes on a high flame. Add the Jeerem Meerem (cumin and black pepper) powder and stir this well. Add about a cup of water and cook this for about ten to fifteen minutes on a low flame. If need be add a bit of water. Add the peas, salt to taste, sugar and cook for another five minutes. You want your dish preferably with a little gravy to keep it moist but you could also add water if you want a little more gravy. Mix in the cilantro and serve with bread. You could add a slit  green chilli too if you like extra spice. 

If you have left overs for breakfast, serve this with a fried egg. 

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Art/ Heritage


‘Swast ani mast’ – Shopping for tree ornaments in Crawford Market – Part 2 in my Christmas décor series

Each year I set upon a theme for my Christmas décor. This year was inspired by a trip to the Raffles Hotel in Udaipur which oozed luxury. Christmas décor is by no means or measure easy to obtain or cheap to buy. Growing up, there was one store on Hill Road in Mumbai that popped up at Christmastime. That store, while it dazzled the eye burnt a hole in your pocket. So how do you make your tree look like a million bucks without spending more than a thousand rupees?

This year I set out to achieve my goal of a luxurious looking tree but working it out on a low budget. Crawford market is the place that I went to and here I must add that you must be willing to explore the place so don’t be in a hurry. Here are a few tips that I want to offer you.

1. Invest in a few good pieces of tree décor – Don’t buy your tree décor all at once. Tree décor should be a collection and don’t be hesitant to spend some money on a few good pieces that will last a lifetime. These should be the show stoppers of your tree. Avoid anything with glitter because with our levels of pollution in the city it tarnishes quickly. Whites are wonderful provided you dust them often during the season and even better, purchase those that you can wipe and clean. Invest in a few pieces each year that are outstanding and unique and will look gorgeous on your tree.

2. Plan in advance – You need to visualise what will work for your house. Instagram and Pinterest may inspire you but imitation can be a limitation. You need to look at the colour of your walls, the space you plan to set up the tree and if the look that you want to copy from social media will match your existing décor at home. Tree décor is available in Crawford market immediately after Diwali with wholesale dealers. They will entertain you only if you are buying décor in sets of a dozen and you will get a mixed bag of colours. Plan in advance and get a few friends who would like to buy décor as a group. You can then split it up. Christmas décor, post first of December is available in the market but at a hundred percent markup.


3. Be creative – If you see something you like on social media try to make it. This year I purchased or put together five decoration pieces and most of them cost me about rupees fifty only. To give my tree a luxurious look, I bought imitation glass balls that look like Swarovski crystals for less the Rs 20. I purchased plastic diamond shaped decorations and attached them to a stylish chain. I got a packet of these for Rs 150/-. I also wanted shimmer and picked up imitation jewelry earrings and hung them on the tree and they cost me just Rs 50/-. I also picked up some unconventional looking artificial plants that I stuck into my tree and yes purchased tinsel shimmered artificial leaves for just Rs 15/- a piece. I also picked up applique embroidery and used it as decoration pieces. Look for the pictures that I have attached to this article.



4. Think out of the box – Most people just jog out and purchase Christmas décor to hang on their tree. I look at social media and set myself on recreating what I see but using stuff that is locally available. Yes, you can import your décor but a local market such as Crawford market has a lot of stuff that does not look like a Christmas décor but can easily be adapted with some embellishments to look fantastic. A few years ago, I took dried almond leaves which are very large, spray painted it gold and tinseled it. I added this to the ready-made green runners that are available for about Rs 600 for nine feet. It enhances the look and makes your Christmas décor unique and fashionable.

I am sharing several pictures with you hoping that you feel inspired go ahead and reproduce this look in your home this year. Do leave your thoughts and questions for me.

In case you missed the first article I wrote, please click on this link  https://www.pottypadre.com/things-you-need-to-know-while-decorating-a-christmas-tree-part-1/

‘Swast ani mast’ – Shopping for tree ornaments in Crawford Market – Part 2 in my Christmas décor series

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