some cooool meanings for the words
Cigarette:
A pinch of tobacco rolled in paper with fire at one end & a fool at the other.
***********
Love affairs :
Something like cricket where one-day internationals are more popular than a five-day test.
***********
Marriage:
It's an agreement in which a man loses his bachelor degree and a woman gains her master
***********
Divorce:
Future tense of marriage
***********
Lecture:
An art of transferring information from the notes of the lecturer to the notes of the students without passing through the minds of either.
***********
Conference:
The confusion of one man multiplied by the number present.
***********
Compromise :
The art of dividing a cake in such a way that everybody believes he got the biggest piece.
***********
Tears:
The hydraulic force by which masculine will power is defeated by feminine waterpower.. .
***********
Dictionary:
A place where divorce comes before marriage.
***********
Conference Room:
A place where everybody talks, nobody listens & everybody disagrees later on.
***********
Ecstasy:
A feeling when you feel you are going to feel a feeling you have never felt before.
***********
Classic:
A book which people praise, but do not read.
***********
Smile:
A curve that can set a lot of things straight.
***********
Office:
A place where you can relax after your strenuous home life.
***********
Yawn:
The only time some married men ever get to open their mouth.
***********
Etc:
A sign to make others believe that you know more than you actually do.
***********
Committee:
Individuals who can do nothing individually and sit to decide that nothing can be done together.
***********
Experience :
The name men give to their mistakes.
***********
Atom Bomb:
An invention to end all inventions.
***********
Philosopher :
A fool who torments himself during life, to be spoken of when dead.
***********
Diplomat:
A person who tells you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the trip.
***********
Opportunist:
A person who starts taking bath if he accidentally falls into a river.
***********
Optimist :
A person who while falling from Eiffel Tower says in midway See I am not injured yet.
***********
Pessimist:
A person who says that O is the last letter in ZERO, Instead of the first letter in word OPPORTUNITY
***********
Miser:
A person who lives poor so that he can die rich.
***********
Father:
A banker provided by nature.
***********
Criminal:
A guy no different from the rest... Except that he got caught.
***********
Boss:
Someone who is early when you are late and late when you are early.
***********
Politician:
One who shakes your hand before elections and your Confidence after.
***********
Doctor:
A person who kills your ills by pills, and kills you with his bills .
**********
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
....A CREED TO LIVE BY...
..A Creed To Live By..
Value yourself! Don't undermine yourself by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Let your goal come from within yourself! Don't set your goals on what others think to be important.
Only you know what is best for you.
And don't take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you cling to life, for without them life is meaningless.
Savor each phase of your life! Don't let it slip through your fingers by living it in the past or future.
Living your life one day at a time means that you live all the days of your life.
Don't give up when you still have something to give, for nothing is really over when you still have something to give.
It is impossible to admit that you are less than perfect, for this is the fragile thread that binds each other.
Don't be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
Always be open to the gift of love, don't shut it out of your life by saying it is impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give it. The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly.
The best way to give love is to give wings.
Befriend your dreams, to be without dreams is to be without hope, and to be without hope is to be without purpose.
Value your life's journey and don't run through it so fast that you forget where you are going and where you have been.
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.
Value yourself! Don't undermine yourself by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Let your goal come from within yourself! Don't set your goals on what others think to be important.
Only you know what is best for you.
And don't take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you cling to life, for without them life is meaningless.
Savor each phase of your life! Don't let it slip through your fingers by living it in the past or future.
Living your life one day at a time means that you live all the days of your life.
Don't give up when you still have something to give, for nothing is really over when you still have something to give.
It is impossible to admit that you are less than perfect, for this is the fragile thread that binds each other.
Don't be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
Always be open to the gift of love, don't shut it out of your life by saying it is impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give it. The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly.
The best way to give love is to give wings.
Befriend your dreams, to be without dreams is to be without hope, and to be without hope is to be without purpose.
Value your life's journey and don't run through it so fast that you forget where you are going and where you have been.
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Love changes every things
Love changes every thing
love love changes everything hands and faces earth and sky
love love changes everything how you live and how you die
love can make a summer fly for a nights him like a life time
yes Lord love changes everything now I trumble at your knee
nothing in the world will ever be those say
love love changes everything days are longer and words mean more
love love changes everything pain is deeper then before
love turn your world arround and the world will last forever
yes Lord love changes everything now I trumble at your knee
nothing in the world will ever be those say
I have been the world before planning future saving deeds
love words sin and suffering and our wisdom disappears
love makes fool of everyone for the rules we make for growlder
yes Lord love changes everyone live a marry and sing his flovuor
love will never never likes to be those say
love will never never likes to be those say ....
love love changes everything hands and faces earth and sky
love love changes everything how you live and how you die
love can make a summer fly for a nights him like a life time
yes Lord love changes everything now I trumble at your knee
nothing in the world will ever be those say
love love changes everything days are longer and words mean more
love love changes everything pain is deeper then before
love turn your world arround and the world will last forever
yes Lord love changes everything now I trumble at your knee
nothing in the world will ever be those say
I have been the world before planning future saving deeds
love words sin and suffering and our wisdom disappears
love makes fool of everyone for the rules we make for growlder
yes Lord love changes everyone live a marry and sing his flovuor
love will never never likes to be those say
love will never never likes to be those say ....
Reflection about the Religious Education
Religious education means “Faith education” or it means giving or sharing the faith. “Education” it comes from the latin word “ducare.” it means “to lead” or “leading out.” “Religion” it came from the latin word “religare” (re: back ligare: to bind). It means being bound. Religious education is helping in the quality of faith-life in people's immediate relationships and base on family, parish, school and society. The heart of religious education is heart of religious educator.
Religious educators has to be very attentive to their class and they have to take lot of efforts to teach the religious education. They first have to teach about the love of God. The love of God is uncontional and it can transform us from then we could have a loving relations ship with those who we meet. When we teach the religion to the students we must have a strong relationship with Jesus and have a qualirty of Christalogy in their programe. Christian religious education is the sharing of the dream of Jesus to make persent the kingdom of God and conversion to kingdopm of God means to reconcialiation with God, with others and with our world. Christianity has something common with other religions but we have some componments only for christian (Ex- beliefs, storiesand texts, ethics, rituals, social system, experience, etc).
Creation Theology is a relationship between us, our world and God. Through the creation theology we relate to the human and the nature very well. Creation theology also help us to look at the stories of other religion and to find the common things of the stories. The history of the Religious Education had changed for the sign of the times. It gives us the good picture of what happen in the past it helps the religious educator to go forward in to the future in a good appropriate ways. Religious education was taught by the principles like instrutive, formative, learning, and doing. History telling us to be creative in sharing the faith tradition by drawing from the wisdom of the past and imaging the future.
The intention of religious studies is not toconvince the students to stay only in the one religion but look at the value in other religion and learn to practice the values in their life. Evangelization and Catechesis have a different meaning and different purpose to us. Religious education describes as relationship beweeen religion and education. As a educator, if I learn Christian doctrine I took that as new faith tradition not change the tradtion of faith. I need to try to reach the goal of the religious education and pray to God for reaching the goals.
Faith is the main goal of the religious education. Christian faith has a believe also. Faith and believe have different meaning. Faith is some thing concreate but the belief is now and then change. In another way faith and trust comes togather it also have a different meaning. Actually faith means “Being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.” we can say in other words also like trust, reliance, assurance, conviction, devotion, loyalty, faithfulness, commitment, dedication, observance. "Faith is believing in things that common sense tells you not to. "Faith is attitude, conviction and conduct based on a right relationship with God. It is not static, but grows in strength and depth as we nourish that relationship with our Creator throughout our lives.
Religious educators has to be very attentive to their class and they have to take lot of efforts to teach the religious education. They first have to teach about the love of God. The love of God is uncontional and it can transform us from then we could have a loving relations ship with those who we meet. When we teach the religion to the students we must have a strong relationship with Jesus and have a qualirty of Christalogy in their programe. Christian religious education is the sharing of the dream of Jesus to make persent the kingdom of God and conversion to kingdopm of God means to reconcialiation with God, with others and with our world. Christianity has something common with other religions but we have some componments only for christian (Ex- beliefs, storiesand texts, ethics, rituals, social system, experience, etc).
Creation Theology is a relationship between us, our world and God. Through the creation theology we relate to the human and the nature very well. Creation theology also help us to look at the stories of other religion and to find the common things of the stories. The history of the Religious Education had changed for the sign of the times. It gives us the good picture of what happen in the past it helps the religious educator to go forward in to the future in a good appropriate ways. Religious education was taught by the principles like instrutive, formative, learning, and doing. History telling us to be creative in sharing the faith tradition by drawing from the wisdom of the past and imaging the future.
The intention of religious studies is not toconvince the students to stay only in the one religion but look at the value in other religion and learn to practice the values in their life. Evangelization and Catechesis have a different meaning and different purpose to us. Religious education describes as relationship beweeen religion and education. As a educator, if I learn Christian doctrine I took that as new faith tradition not change the tradtion of faith. I need to try to reach the goal of the religious education and pray to God for reaching the goals.
Faith is the main goal of the religious education. Christian faith has a believe also. Faith and believe have different meaning. Faith is some thing concreate but the belief is now and then change. In another way faith and trust comes togather it also have a different meaning. Actually faith means “Being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.” we can say in other words also like trust, reliance, assurance, conviction, devotion, loyalty, faithfulness, commitment, dedication, observance. "Faith is believing in things that common sense tells you not to. "Faith is attitude, conviction and conduct based on a right relationship with God. It is not static, but grows in strength and depth as we nourish that relationship with our Creator throughout our lives.
The middle age of the chruch
In the beginning of the middle age the church touched everyone's life, no matter what their rank or class or where they lived. With the exception of a small number of Jews, everyone in Europe was a Christian during the Middle Ages from the richest king down to the lowest servant. Then mid middle age was the time that the Church experienced a division in itself. The division was between Romans and the Eastern Bishops. The people had a quest for faith and they had some knowledge of God. The science and the technology was improving. It made the church to answer the questions about the church and the faith of the church. Popes became politicians to get the Papal primacy. Most of the western popes fought for the Papal primacy. It was the time when Prophet Mohammad also came up with his way of teaching. The Church had two good theologians. One of them was Thomas Aquains. Who was highly rational in thinking.
From the moment of its baptism a few days after birth, a child entered into a life of service to God and God's Church. As a child grew, it would be taught basic prayers, would go to church every week barring illness, and would learn of its responsibilities to the Church. Every person was required to live by the Church's laws and to pay heavy taxes to support the Church. In return for this, they were shown the way to everlasting life and happiness after lives that were often short and hard.
In addition to collecting taxes, the Church also accepted gifts of all kinds from individuals who wanted special favors or wanted to be certain of a place in heaven. These gifts included land, flocks, crops, and even servants. This allowed the Church to become very powerful, and it often used this power to influence kings to do as it wanted.
The parish church was the center of every town. It was generally the largest building in town and had stained glass windows and statues that told stories from the Bible to the villagers who, for the most part, could not read. This building and the religion it stood for were involved in every aspect of the lives of the people. Sacraments are all received and very faithful to that. The people made all the Sacraments infront of God. If crops failed or someone fell ill, people would come to the church to pray to God for help. Every Sunday, every villager went to church to a service in Latin (which they didn't understand) and a sermon (which they did understand). On Holy Days, when the Church forbade them to work, the people came to give praise to God for the good things in their lives. The parish church was overseen by a parish priest, whose duties were to teach the Christian gospel to his parishioners, and help them to live their lives by God's laws.
The head of the Church was called the Pope. As God's representative on Earth, the Pope had a great amount of power to influence kings and their advisors. If someone went against the Church, the Pope had the power to excommunicate them. This meant that the person could not attend any church services or receive the sacraments and would go straight to hell when they died. At a time when everyone believed in heaven and hell and all belonged to the Church, this was an awful punishment. Under the Pope, were his bishops who ruled the lower classes of priest in the same manner that an earl would rule his vassals. Monks and Nunsause religion was so important during the Middle Ages, many people devoted their whole lives to being closer to God and doing the Church's work. Sometimes, parents promised their children to this religious life in order to fulfill a promise to God and to ensure their children were never homeless or without food. These people became monks (if they were men) or nuns (if they were women) and lived apart from the rest of the people in special communities called monasteries and nunneries. Monks and nuns promised to always remain single, to be obedient to their superiors and to live a life of prayer. They also attended many church services.
From the moment of its baptism a few days after birth, a child entered into a life of service to God and God's Church. As a child grew, it would be taught basic prayers, would go to church every week barring illness, and would learn of its responsibilities to the Church. Every person was required to live by the Church's laws and to pay heavy taxes to support the Church. In return for this, they were shown the way to everlasting life and happiness after lives that were often short and hard.
In addition to collecting taxes, the Church also accepted gifts of all kinds from individuals who wanted special favors or wanted to be certain of a place in heaven. These gifts included land, flocks, crops, and even servants. This allowed the Church to become very powerful, and it often used this power to influence kings to do as it wanted.
The parish church was the center of every town. It was generally the largest building in town and had stained glass windows and statues that told stories from the Bible to the villagers who, for the most part, could not read. This building and the religion it stood for were involved in every aspect of the lives of the people. Sacraments are all received and very faithful to that. The people made all the Sacraments infront of God. If crops failed or someone fell ill, people would come to the church to pray to God for help. Every Sunday, every villager went to church to a service in Latin (which they didn't understand) and a sermon (which they did understand). On Holy Days, when the Church forbade them to work, the people came to give praise to God for the good things in their lives. The parish church was overseen by a parish priest, whose duties were to teach the Christian gospel to his parishioners, and help them to live their lives by God's laws.
The head of the Church was called the Pope. As God's representative on Earth, the Pope had a great amount of power to influence kings and their advisors. If someone went against the Church, the Pope had the power to excommunicate them. This meant that the person could not attend any church services or receive the sacraments and would go straight to hell when they died. At a time when everyone believed in heaven and hell and all belonged to the Church, this was an awful punishment. Under the Pope, were his bishops who ruled the lower classes of priest in the same manner that an earl would rule his vassals. Monks and Nunsause religion was so important during the Middle Ages, many people devoted their whole lives to being closer to God and doing the Church's work. Sometimes, parents promised their children to this religious life in order to fulfill a promise to God and to ensure their children were never homeless or without food. These people became monks (if they were men) or nuns (if they were women) and lived apart from the rest of the people in special communities called monasteries and nunneries. Monks and nuns promised to always remain single, to be obedient to their superiors and to live a life of prayer. They also attended many church services.
how the motivation changes us from our perception
I would like to write about two social motives 1. Affiliation motive, 2. Understanding motive. My understanding of these motives have made big differences in my life. It specially interms of overcoming some of the challenges in my relationship with others.
Understanding:
Description: Understanding is to analyze our experience and distinguish its effects on the person and on view everybodyelse. To learn things through our experiences. Choose the best decision to a problem. To understand the relation to the experience.
Difficulties: When I was 16 years old I had a struggles in understanding others. I asked questions like Why they are doing this to me, what is the reason behind this etc. I got angry when I did not get answers to my questions. I relied on what people said about others, which sometimes turned out to be false. It was a big challenge for me during my schooling. Standing for justice I always thought I that was on the right track. I did not see the view of others. I used to make judgements objectively based on how I perceived an event or a person.
Changes: There was not much learning about this motive during my schooling I lacked the understanding of how this “understanding motivation” influenced me and how I could handle its effects. The different stages of formation I have gone through so far have contributed to my understanding of some challenges that I faced earlier. Reading both spritual and psychological books and reflection in silence are other factors that help me to know my “self” better. My positive thinking also helps me make right choices and decision on terms of my relationship with others.
Affiliation:
Description:The affiliation motiive is the desire to associate with others. It is a way to healthy friendships and relationships. As children we are mostly interestested in persons and things close to us, but as adolescents our main influenceare peer groups. We derive both physical and psychological security from others and we feel their presence very much.
Difficulties: I was very good at making friends and I was a talkative boy in my school days. I had a problem of speaking comfortably with girls especially in my peer group and my class mates. There are reasons for this 1. My Culture 2. Fear 3. Past experience. I had the same difficulty for some years which made me angry then and now. Which I some times expressed to others. I feel uncomfortable to do things in the presence of the girls. My hands shiver infront of them.
Changes: I have not grown much in the area of my affiliation motive, because of my cultural boundaries and my fear of speaking with others. When I was in the secondary school I came across some experiences which give me some negative impressions of girls. In my formation time I found some difficulties in my behavior towards them. Later I recognized a little change in myself. When I went to the novitiate, I saw different cultures, where I learned something different about the girls. If I am not familiar with someone I find it difficult to speak with them. This is less so with men. After coming to the Philippines I have realized a difference in meeting girls. I feel that my changes were all made by knowing the cultures that I have been in. Now I appreciate other cultures and realize the weakness in my understanding of my culture.
Understanding:
Description: Understanding is to analyze our experience and distinguish its effects on the person and on view everybodyelse. To learn things through our experiences. Choose the best decision to a problem. To understand the relation to the experience.
Difficulties: When I was 16 years old I had a struggles in understanding others. I asked questions like Why they are doing this to me, what is the reason behind this etc. I got angry when I did not get answers to my questions. I relied on what people said about others, which sometimes turned out to be false. It was a big challenge for me during my schooling. Standing for justice I always thought I that was on the right track. I did not see the view of others. I used to make judgements objectively based on how I perceived an event or a person.
Changes: There was not much learning about this motive during my schooling I lacked the understanding of how this “understanding motivation” influenced me and how I could handle its effects. The different stages of formation I have gone through so far have contributed to my understanding of some challenges that I faced earlier. Reading both spritual and psychological books and reflection in silence are other factors that help me to know my “self” better. My positive thinking also helps me make right choices and decision on terms of my relationship with others.
Affiliation:
Description:The affiliation motiive is the desire to associate with others. It is a way to healthy friendships and relationships. As children we are mostly interestested in persons and things close to us, but as adolescents our main influenceare peer groups. We derive both physical and psychological security from others and we feel their presence very much.
Difficulties: I was very good at making friends and I was a talkative boy in my school days. I had a problem of speaking comfortably with girls especially in my peer group and my class mates. There are reasons for this 1. My Culture 2. Fear 3. Past experience. I had the same difficulty for some years which made me angry then and now. Which I some times expressed to others. I feel uncomfortable to do things in the presence of the girls. My hands shiver infront of them.
Changes: I have not grown much in the area of my affiliation motive, because of my cultural boundaries and my fear of speaking with others. When I was in the secondary school I came across some experiences which give me some negative impressions of girls. In my formation time I found some difficulties in my behavior towards them. Later I recognized a little change in myself. When I went to the novitiate, I saw different cultures, where I learned something different about the girls. If I am not familiar with someone I find it difficult to speak with them. This is less so with men. After coming to the Philippines I have realized a difference in meeting girls. I feel that my changes were all made by knowing the cultures that I have been in. Now I appreciate other cultures and realize the weakness in my understanding of my culture.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Reflection about the Pentateuch
Pentateuch reflects more the early history of the Israelites and it is a story rather than history. It is a religious document to deal with and answer the religious questions. It tells how God and God's people related in old days. Creation story is a religious statement. It is a faith statement to understand ourselves and our world at our deepest level. Our world exists because of our relationship with God and the nature. I am an image of God I accept that I have to reflect God's activity in my life by life giving, justice-doing and peace making. I am dependent on God and am image of God but not God. when we look at the myth, it has some truth and purpose for our lives. Myth is not for me an argument but it is to relate with our present situation. Myth has made me to believe in the love of God. Myth has some truth which can change my heart and mind. It gives me a hope and encourages me to live fully as human and continue my relationship with God. It tells me that when I do mistake my freedom will be taken from me. I become the death-giving and in justice-doing. I understand that even though we do against him and the creation, His love will follow us to the end of the our life.
Then Abraham tells us the covenant between him and God. Here I learn, how we have to listen to the word of God and he gives us the obedient faith in God. It is not only my mind that understands the faith. But I need to experience this through my heart too. The people of Israel are taken into slavery and are exiled. God delivers them from Egypt and leads them to the promised land. Yet , people forget the love of God and begin to worship other gods and goddesses. God becomes angry with them and instructs them through Moses. He gives 'the Ten Commandments' to Moses and asks him to guide the people in the way of truth. God reveals through various events that his grace and love remain steadfast. People, however, out of their human limitations and weaknesses sin against God by their infidelity and unfaithfulness to the laws of God. God always gives them the freedom to choose what they wish but he after all wants his people to live their life with integrity and loyalty. God never forces them rather instructs them through laws and decrees. By doing this , God reminds them that he will be their God and they will be his people. God establishes his relationship through covenant and binds himself with those whom he created in his image and likeness. God never wished them suffering but desires that they will be prosperous in the promised land. God makes known the people how he loves them and cares for them as his own possession. He too invites the people to realize who they are and what they are.
I believe that no human mind can trace out the beginning of the world. Being created in the image of God , I am called to serve him in freedom. The first five books in the Old Testament instructs us how we should be loyal to God's grace and his gifts. The laws on various acts are still applicable and keeps us closer to God and pave the way to experience and enjoy the love and beauty of God. The Pentateuch is relevant to my life because it calls me to look back in my life who I am and where I come from. I see my life completely dependent on God's mercy. I believe that the greatest gift that God has given is my life is the freedom for me to choose either life or death. As God delivered the Israelites from their slavery even though they disobeyed God, he too delivers me from the evils around me in spite of my consent to go against the will of God in my life. I wish to possess not his power but his constant presence in my life. Years may pass by and generations may come and go yet , God remains faithful to his promise that he cares me and loves me and above all God will continue to be the only God to whom I am called to consecrate my life in service to his people. Thus, I will fulfill the purpose which he has set even before I was conceived in my mother's womb. This is the way it help me to grow in my faith and my vocation as a Marist Brother.
Then Abraham tells us the covenant between him and God. Here I learn, how we have to listen to the word of God and he gives us the obedient faith in God. It is not only my mind that understands the faith. But I need to experience this through my heart too. The people of Israel are taken into slavery and are exiled. God delivers them from Egypt and leads them to the promised land. Yet , people forget the love of God and begin to worship other gods and goddesses. God becomes angry with them and instructs them through Moses. He gives 'the Ten Commandments' to Moses and asks him to guide the people in the way of truth. God reveals through various events that his grace and love remain steadfast. People, however, out of their human limitations and weaknesses sin against God by their infidelity and unfaithfulness to the laws of God. God always gives them the freedom to choose what they wish but he after all wants his people to live their life with integrity and loyalty. God never forces them rather instructs them through laws and decrees. By doing this , God reminds them that he will be their God and they will be his people. God establishes his relationship through covenant and binds himself with those whom he created in his image and likeness. God never wished them suffering but desires that they will be prosperous in the promised land. God makes known the people how he loves them and cares for them as his own possession. He too invites the people to realize who they are and what they are.
I believe that no human mind can trace out the beginning of the world. Being created in the image of God , I am called to serve him in freedom. The first five books in the Old Testament instructs us how we should be loyal to God's grace and his gifts. The laws on various acts are still applicable and keeps us closer to God and pave the way to experience and enjoy the love and beauty of God. The Pentateuch is relevant to my life because it calls me to look back in my life who I am and where I come from. I see my life completely dependent on God's mercy. I believe that the greatest gift that God has given is my life is the freedom for me to choose either life or death. As God delivered the Israelites from their slavery even though they disobeyed God, he too delivers me from the evils around me in spite of my consent to go against the will of God in my life. I wish to possess not his power but his constant presence in my life. Years may pass by and generations may come and go yet , God remains faithful to his promise that he cares me and loves me and above all God will continue to be the only God to whom I am called to consecrate my life in service to his people. Thus, I will fulfill the purpose which he has set even before I was conceived in my mother's womb. This is the way it help me to grow in my faith and my vocation as a Marist Brother.
Imagine I am a Prophet what do I say
Prophets were the great faithful servant of God. They were the messengers of God for the people. They were one who delivered god's message to a partiular people in a particular time. If they saw the world was not following the way of the Lord, they delivered the message but some were not respect them. They not only deliver message through speaking, but by the action too. Prophets should be a man of prayer with a close relationship with God.
When I see the description of Prophets, I feel the need for Prophets to my country. There is a Lot of corruption in my country. When look at all the authorities have a corruptionin in their structure. Some are very puplic, like Political, Cultural boundaries, Religion, Media, Equality of the people, Value of Christian life style etc. I will tell the christians that are they living the life of their ancesters? I would like to tell the politicians to be truthful to their ministry. I will ask them to do things for the people. What God has given to us we must share with all. I will speak of equality and injustice of the caste system. I will ask all the religious that do not speak much about the christian life to live it first then people will listento what you proclaim. I will ask the Media to stop changing the hearts of youths promote them for bright future do not spoil them showing your creativity. I will ask the people to come out of the Cultural bountries, and caste system. Do not divide the earth by these issues, God created the world for all not for some people. I have to stand up and speak. So many people have done that. I have seen no change simply by talking. My message could be against the curruption by the authorities, it is well known by the people, I too see the same as my elders. When I stand up, some may not happy or not respect me, but I must continue to proclaim my message. In my country I need to do something different such as the Old Testament Prophets to make people take notice of my message.
My message should not be only by talking, it has to be by action also. My message may demand the people it does not help to see the reality of living. My message with action may change their values. Indian history has two great people who are good examples for my action, 1. Mahatma Gandhi 2. Mother Theresa. They are the good models for my prophesy. If I am a prophet, I need to be a man of prayer and have close relation ship with God. I always have to feel His support and see the work of God in all people. I have to be ready to take of the cross, that Jesus took for his salvation. I could take the non violence approch from the Mahatma Gandhi, and a man of prayer and seeing God in all people from Mother Theresa. These are the ways that will help me with the prophesy.
When I see the description of Prophets, I feel the need for Prophets to my country. There is a Lot of corruption in my country. When look at all the authorities have a corruptionin in their structure. Some are very puplic, like Political, Cultural boundaries, Religion, Media, Equality of the people, Value of Christian life style etc. I will tell the christians that are they living the life of their ancesters? I would like to tell the politicians to be truthful to their ministry. I will ask them to do things for the people. What God has given to us we must share with all. I will speak of equality and injustice of the caste system. I will ask all the religious that do not speak much about the christian life to live it first then people will listento what you proclaim. I will ask the Media to stop changing the hearts of youths promote them for bright future do not spoil them showing your creativity. I will ask the people to come out of the Cultural bountries, and caste system. Do not divide the earth by these issues, God created the world for all not for some people. I have to stand up and speak. So many people have done that. I have seen no change simply by talking. My message could be against the curruption by the authorities, it is well known by the people, I too see the same as my elders. When I stand up, some may not happy or not respect me, but I must continue to proclaim my message. In my country I need to do something different such as the Old Testament Prophets to make people take notice of my message.
My message should not be only by talking, it has to be by action also. My message may demand the people it does not help to see the reality of living. My message with action may change their values. Indian history has two great people who are good examples for my action, 1. Mahatma Gandhi 2. Mother Theresa. They are the good models for my prophesy. If I am a prophet, I need to be a man of prayer and have close relation ship with God. I always have to feel His support and see the work of God in all people. I have to be ready to take of the cross, that Jesus took for his salvation. I could take the non violence approch from the Mahatma Gandhi, and a man of prayer and seeing God in all people from Mother Theresa. These are the ways that will help me with the prophesy.
The Prophet amous
THE PROPHET AMOS
Introduction:
The prophet Amos was a farmer and herdsman from a small village called Tekoa in Judah. Tekoa is twelve miles southeast of Jerusalem. Amos was one of the eighth-century prophets. A prophet is primarily a mouth piece of god who communicate the message of God to the people. He preached the word of God in Israel , the northern kingdom at the shrine of Bethel. He was not a professional prophet. He emphasized religious apostasy, idolatry, political stupidity and social injustice. He was a man who worked earnestly for social justice and gave voice against injustice. He claimed that punishment is the consequence of one's sinful act towards others He probably lived before the rise of Tiglath-pileser III , in the period of 760 to 745.
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The call of Amos:
When Amos was herding the flock, God called him and said, “ Go and prophesy to my people Israel”.
“The Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel”
- Amos 7:15
He was told by God what to prophesy to the Israelites (Amos 7:16-17). Amos was shocked to hear that Yahweh was going to punish people sending locust plague and drought upon 'Jacob' to destroy him (Amos 7:1-6).
Message of Amos:
Amos as a herdsman and dresser of sycamore-figs (Amos 7:14) prophesied the judgment of God to the king and the people of northern Israel. He said the people that the land they had possessed would be handed over to their enemies and all their leaders would be killed and they would be taken into exile. He condemned the people who sold the just person for money and the poor for a pair of shoes. He blamed those who oppressed the poor and the needy. He condemned the merchants who cheated the people by using false weights. Amos saw that the people violated the covenant that God had made with the people on Mt. Sinai. He warned them through a funeral song about the death penalty they were going to face. He contradicted their hope on the feast days that God would be on their side in war. He said that God would not stand idly and watch evil go on. He condemned not only the king who ruled but the people too as the cause for evil. Amaziah, the priest, was not happy with his prophesy yet he did not challenge the word of God spoken through Amos. However, he warned Amos to leave the country and prophesy in his own country. Basically the message of the prophet emphasized God's moral rule for the entire world and his demand for justice and concern for the outcast or oppressed. He reminded them of God's desire for a life that was just and upright.
He had five visions and suggested that something bad was going to happen in the future. The Prophet twice interceded for people and pleaded for forgiveness. Each time God relented. He presented God as the one who is patiently summoning the people to a life of obedience. He tried to turn the people to repentance but they failed to respond in an appropriate way and as a result face punishment of God. He did not prophesy the future restoration of Israel. He would have assumed that the people would worship YHWH.
Struggles Encountered:
Amos message was that poor and powerless people in Israel were being cheated and exploited and denied justice by people wealthier and more powerful in society. Amos never claimed to be popular but on the contrary he challenged the king's injustice against the poor. Because of that, the royal priest at the shrine of Bethel challenged his right to prophesy. Amos confronted him saying that he had not come on his own but it was God who summoned him to the task of prophesying to the people of Israel.
“I am no prophet, nor the son of a prophet!” (Amos 7:14)
Conclusion:
The prophet Amos was a man who spoke not only the judgment of God but also the words of God's justice. He was on the side of poor and rejected. His prophesy did not consist on much hope for the future of people and but mainly focused on the infidelity the people of towards God. He was radically against injustice and idolatry. Throughout his prophetic ministry he was calling the people back to the moral and religious demands of God. He believed that punishment was part of God's hidden plan for salvation of the people.
Introduction:
The prophet Amos was a farmer and herdsman from a small village called Tekoa in Judah. Tekoa is twelve miles southeast of Jerusalem. Amos was one of the eighth-century prophets. A prophet is primarily a mouth piece of god who communicate the message of God to the people. He preached the word of God in Israel , the northern kingdom at the shrine of Bethel. He was not a professional prophet. He emphasized religious apostasy, idolatry, political stupidity and social injustice. He was a man who worked earnestly for social justice and gave voice against injustice. He claimed that punishment is the consequence of one's sinful act towards others He probably lived before the rise of Tiglath-pileser III , in the period of 760 to 745.
.
The call of Amos:
When Amos was herding the flock, God called him and said, “ Go and prophesy to my people Israel”.
“The Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel”
- Amos 7:15
He was told by God what to prophesy to the Israelites (Amos 7:16-17). Amos was shocked to hear that Yahweh was going to punish people sending locust plague and drought upon 'Jacob' to destroy him (Amos 7:1-6).
Message of Amos:
Amos as a herdsman and dresser of sycamore-figs (Amos 7:14) prophesied the judgment of God to the king and the people of northern Israel. He said the people that the land they had possessed would be handed over to their enemies and all their leaders would be killed and they would be taken into exile. He condemned the people who sold the just person for money and the poor for a pair of shoes. He blamed those who oppressed the poor and the needy. He condemned the merchants who cheated the people by using false weights. Amos saw that the people violated the covenant that God had made with the people on Mt. Sinai. He warned them through a funeral song about the death penalty they were going to face. He contradicted their hope on the feast days that God would be on their side in war. He said that God would not stand idly and watch evil go on. He condemned not only the king who ruled but the people too as the cause for evil. Amaziah, the priest, was not happy with his prophesy yet he did not challenge the word of God spoken through Amos. However, he warned Amos to leave the country and prophesy in his own country. Basically the message of the prophet emphasized God's moral rule for the entire world and his demand for justice and concern for the outcast or oppressed. He reminded them of God's desire for a life that was just and upright.
He had five visions and suggested that something bad was going to happen in the future. The Prophet twice interceded for people and pleaded for forgiveness. Each time God relented. He presented God as the one who is patiently summoning the people to a life of obedience. He tried to turn the people to repentance but they failed to respond in an appropriate way and as a result face punishment of God. He did not prophesy the future restoration of Israel. He would have assumed that the people would worship YHWH.
Struggles Encountered:
Amos message was that poor and powerless people in Israel were being cheated and exploited and denied justice by people wealthier and more powerful in society. Amos never claimed to be popular but on the contrary he challenged the king's injustice against the poor. Because of that, the royal priest at the shrine of Bethel challenged his right to prophesy. Amos confronted him saying that he had not come on his own but it was God who summoned him to the task of prophesying to the people of Israel.
“I am no prophet, nor the son of a prophet!” (Amos 7:14)
Conclusion:
The prophet Amos was a man who spoke not only the judgment of God but also the words of God's justice. He was on the side of poor and rejected. His prophesy did not consist on much hope for the future of people and but mainly focused on the infidelity the people of towards God. He was radically against injustice and idolatry. Throughout his prophetic ministry he was calling the people back to the moral and religious demands of God. He believed that punishment was part of God's hidden plan for salvation of the people.
THE PROPHET EZEKIEL
THE PROPHET EZEKIEL
Introduction:
Ezekiel is a prophet in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). He is commonly regarded as the author of the book of Ezekiel. The prophets Jeremiah and Daniel are considered to be his contemporaries. Most of the events in his book have been verified with exact dates and the book should have been written during the period of Judah's captivity between the years 591 BC. He was the son of Buzi, the priest , and his name means 'God Strengthens'. He was one of the Israelites who went into exile to the city of Babylon and settled at a place called Tel-Abib , on the banks of the Chebar. He was God's chosen man and messenger. He proclaimed the word of God to the Israelites . He was both a prophet and a priest . His ministry extended over 23 years 595-573BCE. The time and the manner of his death are unknown.
The book of the prophesies of Ezekiel can be divided into three sections.
1.The exposure of the sins of the chosen people – the fall of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 1-24)
2.The announcement of the ruin of the idolatrous people (Jeremiah 25-32)
3.The call to conversion and hope for new Jerusalem under the leadership of David (Jeremiah 33-48)
The call of Ezekiel:
Ezekiel, as the son of a priest, was a priest too. While he was preparing himself for the temple service which he could do only at the age of 30 , he was taken captive at the age of 25 by the Babylonians in 597 BC. He was married and had his own home in the place of his exile. But there is no evidence to prove whether he had children. In 592BC, on the fifth day of the fourth month in the 5th year of his exile, he received a vision - a divine appearance in the midst of a storm. After this encounter with God, he heard God's voice saying, “Son of Man , I am sending you to the Israelites who rebelled against me by their idolatry to speak my words on my behalf”. Thus, the glory of God consecrated Ezekiel as a prophet. Ezekiel means “God Strengthens”. Indeed, he needed God's strength throughout all his endeavors. He saw not God himself but that the glory of God .
His mission:
He went to the people of Israel who had transgressed and foretold that they would be punished unless they would obey the Lord's commandments. He also foretold the destruction of Jerusalem . Yet, he consoled them saying , even though the temple would be destroyed , God would preserve a remnant. Thus, God through Ezekiel instructed the people to 'repent'.
Ezekiel who was living with his wife, unexpectedly lost his wife in the ninth year of his exile (Ezekiel 8:1, 24:18) . But, he was told not to cry over the death of his wife for that would be the sign for the downfall of Jerusalem and the people.
God gave Ezekiel visions which he would act out that were symbolic , providing different meaning to the people of Israel. He delivered his message not only in words and deeds but in a series of symbolic actions. Ezekiel was a prophet who did unbelievable things to predict the future. For example, smashing a potter's flask, he foretold that Jerusalem would be destroyed and the people would be scattered.
The period of crisis :
The beginning of the sixth century BC was a difficult time for the people of Judah. Earlier the northern part of the country was taken captive by Assyrians and now the Babylonian threatened the tiny country of Judah. In 589 BC they carried off all the political , economic and religious leaders and made Zedekiah the king of Judah. They thought he would be a puppet for them . In 589 BC he stopped paying tribute to them. In 587 Nebuchadnezzar invaded the country , burned the temple and killing so many lives. Those who survived were exiled to Babylon.
The Babylonian exile was not only a political and economic crisis but also a religious crisis. While the people were thinking whether the God of Babylonian was stronger than Israel's God, Ezekiel had the difficult task of bringing God's word to the people through this period of disaster.
With the exile, monarchy and state were completely destroyed. Political and national life became impossible. So, it became necessary to build a spiritual one and this mission he performed by observing the signs of the time . He asserted that God was compelled to do it because of the sins of the people.
Ezekiel's words of encouragement:
The people were in exile through their own fault (Ez 18).
God had not abandoned them for ever but, as the good shepherd would lead them back to their land(Ez 34).
He would reunite the tribes of north and south and David would be their king to rule them (Ez 27: 15-28).
God would again breathe life into their dry bones(Ez 37:1-4).
Conclusion:
The major historical event which Ezekiel focused on was the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. He spoke of the glory and majesty of God . The main theme that was often repeated was 'They shall know that I am God”. It seemed that he explained to the people of Israel and Judah that it was because of their idolatry God had allowed them to be taken captivity by the Babylonians. Ezekiel proclaimed not only the judgment of the Lord but also hope to Israelites who were in exile. Law and worship were the two focal points of Ezekiel's hope for the future. He and his book end with hope, restoration and redemption of the Israelites and of God's promised city Jerusalem.
The Lord was the strength of Ezekiel and he was obedient to God and prophesied what God instructed him. He faithfully served the Lord. Ezekiel's final word:
“The name of the city shall, hence forth, be 'the Lord is here'”.
- ( Ezekiel 48:35 )
Introduction:
Ezekiel is a prophet in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). He is commonly regarded as the author of the book of Ezekiel. The prophets Jeremiah and Daniel are considered to be his contemporaries. Most of the events in his book have been verified with exact dates and the book should have been written during the period of Judah's captivity between the years 591 BC. He was the son of Buzi, the priest , and his name means 'God Strengthens'. He was one of the Israelites who went into exile to the city of Babylon and settled at a place called Tel-Abib , on the banks of the Chebar. He was God's chosen man and messenger. He proclaimed the word of God to the Israelites . He was both a prophet and a priest . His ministry extended over 23 years 595-573BCE. The time and the manner of his death are unknown.
The book of the prophesies of Ezekiel can be divided into three sections.
1.The exposure of the sins of the chosen people – the fall of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 1-24)
2.The announcement of the ruin of the idolatrous people (Jeremiah 25-32)
3.The call to conversion and hope for new Jerusalem under the leadership of David (Jeremiah 33-48)
The call of Ezekiel:
Ezekiel, as the son of a priest, was a priest too. While he was preparing himself for the temple service which he could do only at the age of 30 , he was taken captive at the age of 25 by the Babylonians in 597 BC. He was married and had his own home in the place of his exile. But there is no evidence to prove whether he had children. In 592BC, on the fifth day of the fourth month in the 5th year of his exile, he received a vision - a divine appearance in the midst of a storm. After this encounter with God, he heard God's voice saying, “Son of Man , I am sending you to the Israelites who rebelled against me by their idolatry to speak my words on my behalf”. Thus, the glory of God consecrated Ezekiel as a prophet. Ezekiel means “God Strengthens”. Indeed, he needed God's strength throughout all his endeavors. He saw not God himself but that the glory of God .
His mission:
He went to the people of Israel who had transgressed and foretold that they would be punished unless they would obey the Lord's commandments. He also foretold the destruction of Jerusalem . Yet, he consoled them saying , even though the temple would be destroyed , God would preserve a remnant. Thus, God through Ezekiel instructed the people to 'repent'.
Ezekiel who was living with his wife, unexpectedly lost his wife in the ninth year of his exile (Ezekiel 8:1, 24:18) . But, he was told not to cry over the death of his wife for that would be the sign for the downfall of Jerusalem and the people.
God gave Ezekiel visions which he would act out that were symbolic , providing different meaning to the people of Israel. He delivered his message not only in words and deeds but in a series of symbolic actions. Ezekiel was a prophet who did unbelievable things to predict the future. For example, smashing a potter's flask, he foretold that Jerusalem would be destroyed and the people would be scattered.
The period of crisis :
The beginning of the sixth century BC was a difficult time for the people of Judah. Earlier the northern part of the country was taken captive by Assyrians and now the Babylonian threatened the tiny country of Judah. In 589 BC they carried off all the political , economic and religious leaders and made Zedekiah the king of Judah. They thought he would be a puppet for them . In 589 BC he stopped paying tribute to them. In 587 Nebuchadnezzar invaded the country , burned the temple and killing so many lives. Those who survived were exiled to Babylon.
The Babylonian exile was not only a political and economic crisis but also a religious crisis. While the people were thinking whether the God of Babylonian was stronger than Israel's God, Ezekiel had the difficult task of bringing God's word to the people through this period of disaster.
With the exile, monarchy and state were completely destroyed. Political and national life became impossible. So, it became necessary to build a spiritual one and this mission he performed by observing the signs of the time . He asserted that God was compelled to do it because of the sins of the people.
Ezekiel's words of encouragement:
The people were in exile through their own fault (Ez 18).
God had not abandoned them for ever but, as the good shepherd would lead them back to their land(Ez 34).
He would reunite the tribes of north and south and David would be their king to rule them (Ez 27: 15-28).
God would again breathe life into their dry bones(Ez 37:1-4).
Conclusion:
The major historical event which Ezekiel focused on was the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. He spoke of the glory and majesty of God . The main theme that was often repeated was 'They shall know that I am God”. It seemed that he explained to the people of Israel and Judah that it was because of their idolatry God had allowed them to be taken captivity by the Babylonians. Ezekiel proclaimed not only the judgment of the Lord but also hope to Israelites who were in exile. Law and worship were the two focal points of Ezekiel's hope for the future. He and his book end with hope, restoration and redemption of the Israelites and of God's promised city Jerusalem.
The Lord was the strength of Ezekiel and he was obedient to God and prophesied what God instructed him. He faithfully served the Lord. Ezekiel's final word:
“The name of the city shall, hence forth, be 'the Lord is here'”.
- ( Ezekiel 48:35 )
THE PROPHET JEREMIAH
2. THE PROPHET JEREMIAH
Introduction:
The prophet Jeremiah was born a Jew towards the middle of the seventh century in Anathoth, a small village a few kilometers away from Jerusalem. His father was a priest in the temple in Jerusalem. In those days the Jews in Jerusalem were very religious yet did not act according to the word of God. YHWH was trying to get Judah to hear and obey Him. As a young boy Jeremiah cherished the word of God and was obedient to God. He was called to the prophetic life when he was young to proclaim the word of God to the people of Judah. Jeremiah who loved the nation and the people had to undergo a lot of struggles to turn the face of the people towards God. He was a man with a great and dynamic personality.
The call of the prophet:
In the year 628 BC, when Jeremiah was a young man , God called him and said that he had been set aside from the time he was in his mother's womb to play the role of the prophet. But, Jeremiah objected to God's call saying he was too young to carry out such a great task. However, God did not mind his limitations but rather encouraged him and promised him that he would not be speaking on his own but on behalf of God the words of God. After some time Jeremiah left his native place Anatoth and went to live in Jerusalem where he assisted Josiah who was one of the famous kings of Israelites.
The condition of the world during the life of Jeremiah:
The important events are be listed as follow,
1.an invasion by the Scythians – 626 BC
2.finding the Book of Law in the Temple – 621 BC
3.the reformation by king Josiah – 621 BC
4.the fall of the Assyrians – 612 BC
5.an invasion of Egyptian armies and the defeat of King Josian – 608 BC
6.competition between the Egyptian and Babylonian for world supremacy
7.the fall of Egyptian – 605 BC
8.attack on Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar – 598 BC
9.the fall of entire Jerusalem – 587 BC
The Message and Struggles of Jeremiah:
Israel was not a unified nation during the period of Jeremiah. It was divided into two nations – Israel and Judah. Israel was called the northern kingdom and was destroyed by the Assyrians. But Judah, the southern kingdom, remained. Jerusalem was the capital of Judah. It was the place where king Solomon had built the temple for the Lord God. Jeremiah was the prophet to the southern kingdom. He warned the people about the punishment that they were going to receive because of their infidelity to God and their idolatry. The people were in turmoil when Jeremiah declared his message of disaster. He confirmed to them that the disaster would be unavoidable (Jeremiah 5: 15-17)
The prophet Jeremiah warned king Joakim who became involved in merciless murders. He said that God would roll him up into a little ball and would throw him out of Judah. King Joakim was angered by his message and ordered his soldiers to put Jeremiah in prison.
The prophet foretold them the defeat of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. On the account of his prophesy , the people considered him as a traitor as he said that the temple and Jerusalem were vulnerable to defeat. His words became true when Babylonians conquered the city and the people were taken in captive to Babylon.
More than once the prophet was imprisoned and chained yet , he was not silenced from proclaiming the word of God (Jere 36:5). He was doomed to death but God saved his life.
“Be not afraid.........they shall not prevail; for I am with you to deliver you, said the Lord”
(Jere 1: 17-19;37-49)
The prophet suffered not only by persecution but also from the the people's stubbornness of heart pained him (Jere 8: 18, 22). He shed tears day and night because he loved his nation and the people with his whole heart (Jere 8:18-22) , and cried loudly on seeing the unjust behavior of the people before God (Jere 9: 1, 10: 19). that is why he was called as the 'weeping prophet'. It would be wrong to say that he was lacking in faith and was not courageous enough to face the reality of his life.
As a messenger of God, he had to face a lot more violence and conflicts in his life. Since he loved his nation and its people, it was hard for him to announce the sentence of death to the people of Judah.
The prophet spoke not only the words of disaster but also words of hope for a bright future. He assured the people that God would renew his covenant which he made through Abraham.
Life in Jerusalem:
When the Babylonians captured Jerusalem , Jeremiah was there. He prophesied during the reign of Josiah, Jehoahaz, Johoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah and Gedaliah ben Ahikam. Jeremiah remained in Jerusalem even after its destruction and was speaking his words of warning from time to time. Since he was rejected and despised by his own citizens he even cursed the day he was born (Jere 20:14-17). According to a tradition , one of his country men stoned him to death because of his prophesy about the punishment of God on the people who worshiped idols. Even though he was a good prophet and patriot he was not accepted by his country men.
Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet (Jere 9:1). He was also famous as 'the broken-hearted prophet'. It was because his prophesies were unheeded by the people of Judah.
“You will go to them ; but for their part , they will not listen to you”.
- The Bible
As one of the bravest men , he prophesied the disaster which was unavoidable. He criticized the people who forsook God and the Torah by worshiping the idols. The life of the prophet was always in danger even among his citizens there were people who wanted to kill him because of his prophesy of God's judgment. When he transferred to Jerusalem, his sufferings were multiplied.
Conclusion:
Jeremiah was a prophet who was extremely troubled in his heart and yelled in protest at times. During his prophesy he stressed the tender love of God and his willingness to restore the people. He presented God as the merciful Father who always forgives the sins of the people and wants to establish the relationship in spite of their infidelity before him (Jere 3:19-20). Jeremiah who began his mission with a vision of the fall of Judah was a very active messenger of God all through his life. He was the prophet with great spirituality. He seemed to be the prophet of consolation to the people of Judah.
Introduction:
The prophet Jeremiah was born a Jew towards the middle of the seventh century in Anathoth, a small village a few kilometers away from Jerusalem. His father was a priest in the temple in Jerusalem. In those days the Jews in Jerusalem were very religious yet did not act according to the word of God. YHWH was trying to get Judah to hear and obey Him. As a young boy Jeremiah cherished the word of God and was obedient to God. He was called to the prophetic life when he was young to proclaim the word of God to the people of Judah. Jeremiah who loved the nation and the people had to undergo a lot of struggles to turn the face of the people towards God. He was a man with a great and dynamic personality.
The call of the prophet:
In the year 628 BC, when Jeremiah was a young man , God called him and said that he had been set aside from the time he was in his mother's womb to play the role of the prophet. But, Jeremiah objected to God's call saying he was too young to carry out such a great task. However, God did not mind his limitations but rather encouraged him and promised him that he would not be speaking on his own but on behalf of God the words of God. After some time Jeremiah left his native place Anatoth and went to live in Jerusalem where he assisted Josiah who was one of the famous kings of Israelites.
The condition of the world during the life of Jeremiah:
The important events are be listed as follow,
1.an invasion by the Scythians – 626 BC
2.finding the Book of Law in the Temple – 621 BC
3.the reformation by king Josiah – 621 BC
4.the fall of the Assyrians – 612 BC
5.an invasion of Egyptian armies and the defeat of King Josian – 608 BC
6.competition between the Egyptian and Babylonian for world supremacy
7.the fall of Egyptian – 605 BC
8.attack on Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar – 598 BC
9.the fall of entire Jerusalem – 587 BC
The Message and Struggles of Jeremiah:
Israel was not a unified nation during the period of Jeremiah. It was divided into two nations – Israel and Judah. Israel was called the northern kingdom and was destroyed by the Assyrians. But Judah, the southern kingdom, remained. Jerusalem was the capital of Judah. It was the place where king Solomon had built the temple for the Lord God. Jeremiah was the prophet to the southern kingdom. He warned the people about the punishment that they were going to receive because of their infidelity to God and their idolatry. The people were in turmoil when Jeremiah declared his message of disaster. He confirmed to them that the disaster would be unavoidable (Jeremiah 5: 15-17)
The prophet Jeremiah warned king Joakim who became involved in merciless murders. He said that God would roll him up into a little ball and would throw him out of Judah. King Joakim was angered by his message and ordered his soldiers to put Jeremiah in prison.
The prophet foretold them the defeat of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. On the account of his prophesy , the people considered him as a traitor as he said that the temple and Jerusalem were vulnerable to defeat. His words became true when Babylonians conquered the city and the people were taken in captive to Babylon.
More than once the prophet was imprisoned and chained yet , he was not silenced from proclaiming the word of God (Jere 36:5). He was doomed to death but God saved his life.
“Be not afraid.........they shall not prevail; for I am with you to deliver you, said the Lord”
(Jere 1: 17-19;37-49)
The prophet suffered not only by persecution but also from the the people's stubbornness of heart pained him (Jere 8: 18, 22). He shed tears day and night because he loved his nation and the people with his whole heart (Jere 8:18-22) , and cried loudly on seeing the unjust behavior of the people before God (Jere 9: 1, 10: 19). that is why he was called as the 'weeping prophet'. It would be wrong to say that he was lacking in faith and was not courageous enough to face the reality of his life.
As a messenger of God, he had to face a lot more violence and conflicts in his life. Since he loved his nation and its people, it was hard for him to announce the sentence of death to the people of Judah.
The prophet spoke not only the words of disaster but also words of hope for a bright future. He assured the people that God would renew his covenant which he made through Abraham.
Life in Jerusalem:
When the Babylonians captured Jerusalem , Jeremiah was there. He prophesied during the reign of Josiah, Jehoahaz, Johoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah and Gedaliah ben Ahikam. Jeremiah remained in Jerusalem even after its destruction and was speaking his words of warning from time to time. Since he was rejected and despised by his own citizens he even cursed the day he was born (Jere 20:14-17). According to a tradition , one of his country men stoned him to death because of his prophesy about the punishment of God on the people who worshiped idols. Even though he was a good prophet and patriot he was not accepted by his country men.
Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet (Jere 9:1). He was also famous as 'the broken-hearted prophet'. It was because his prophesies were unheeded by the people of Judah.
“You will go to them ; but for their part , they will not listen to you”.
- The Bible
As one of the bravest men , he prophesied the disaster which was unavoidable. He criticized the people who forsook God and the Torah by worshiping the idols. The life of the prophet was always in danger even among his citizens there were people who wanted to kill him because of his prophesy of God's judgment. When he transferred to Jerusalem, his sufferings were multiplied.
Conclusion:
Jeremiah was a prophet who was extremely troubled in his heart and yelled in protest at times. During his prophesy he stressed the tender love of God and his willingness to restore the people. He presented God as the merciful Father who always forgives the sins of the people and wants to establish the relationship in spite of their infidelity before him (Jere 3:19-20). Jeremiah who began his mission with a vision of the fall of Judah was a very active messenger of God all through his life. He was the prophet with great spirituality. He seemed to be the prophet of consolation to the people of Judah.
The Prophet of the old testment
1. THE PROPHET
In Hebrew, the name of the prophet is 'nabi'. Though the origin of the word is uncertain, most likely it means 'one who is called'. Prophet is the English word for 'nabi' , derived from the Greek term 'pro-phates' which means a spokesperson, a herald who speaks in the name of God. In the Old Testament, a prophet was a messenger of God for a specific task. They preached the word of God for a particular group of people at a specific time and place.
The Different Prophetic Groups:
There are several prophetic groups in the Old Testament. They are as follow,
1.The early prophetic group
This group of prophets lived in the 11th and 10th centuries BC in Israel. They lived in groups near the sanctuary of Yahweh. The group was known as 'the ecstatics' group. They were able to remain in a trance for hours and in this state their brain became abnormally active and had visions and mystical experiences.
2.The 'Sons of the Prophets':
These prophets were different from the earlier group, though they also lived in groups near the sanctuary of God. They defended Yahwehism against Baalism.
3.Institutional or Professional Prophets:
During the monarchy there was another type of prophetism called official or professional . They accompanied the king and were an integral part of the nation (Jeremiah 18:18f). They spoke their message in the temple areas. (Neh 6:12; Jeremiah 28)
4.The classical prophets:
These were not in a group but acted as individuals. They are the people whom we normally call 'the prophets'.
5. The vocational prophets:
These are divided into preaching and writing prophets. The vocational prophets often opposed the professional prophets who were trying to be on the side of the king in their ideas. (Amos 7:14). These are men who received the divine call to be messengers and interpreters of the Divine Word. They often had encounter with God and were compelled to speak the word of God.
According to Jeremiah the criteria for the true prophets are:
the fulfillment of his prediction (Jeremiah 28:9,16f)
the conformity of his teaching to the tradition of doctrine (Jeremiah 28:7)
The prophets in the Bible were limited in their prediction of the future in terms of accuracy. But , they were more concerned with the present. The prophets never had an easy life. As they were able to point out the mistakes and injustices of others, they were mostly engaged in conflict with kings, temple authorities, political and religious leaders and people themselves. Their message was the echo of the Word. Prophets had not only visions but also were able to translate the message of God revealed through the visions. They had learn to read the events in God's way. They performed symbolic actions which provoked the people to repentance.
In short, prophets were those who tried to bring the people back to god in spite of their infidelities and injustice against the promise God made with them.
“I shall be your God and you will be my People”.
In Hebrew, the name of the prophet is 'nabi'. Though the origin of the word is uncertain, most likely it means 'one who is called'. Prophet is the English word for 'nabi' , derived from the Greek term 'pro-phates' which means a spokesperson, a herald who speaks in the name of God. In the Old Testament, a prophet was a messenger of God for a specific task. They preached the word of God for a particular group of people at a specific time and place.
The Different Prophetic Groups:
There are several prophetic groups in the Old Testament. They are as follow,
1.The early prophetic group
This group of prophets lived in the 11th and 10th centuries BC in Israel. They lived in groups near the sanctuary of Yahweh. The group was known as 'the ecstatics' group. They were able to remain in a trance for hours and in this state their brain became abnormally active and had visions and mystical experiences.
2.The 'Sons of the Prophets':
These prophets were different from the earlier group, though they also lived in groups near the sanctuary of God. They defended Yahwehism against Baalism.
3.Institutional or Professional Prophets:
During the monarchy there was another type of prophetism called official or professional . They accompanied the king and were an integral part of the nation (Jeremiah 18:18f). They spoke their message in the temple areas. (Neh 6:12; Jeremiah 28)
4.The classical prophets:
These were not in a group but acted as individuals. They are the people whom we normally call 'the prophets'.
5. The vocational prophets:
These are divided into preaching and writing prophets. The vocational prophets often opposed the professional prophets who were trying to be on the side of the king in their ideas. (Amos 7:14). These are men who received the divine call to be messengers and interpreters of the Divine Word. They often had encounter with God and were compelled to speak the word of God.
According to Jeremiah the criteria for the true prophets are:
the fulfillment of his prediction (Jeremiah 28:9,16f)
the conformity of his teaching to the tradition of doctrine (Jeremiah 28:7)
The prophets in the Bible were limited in their prediction of the future in terms of accuracy. But , they were more concerned with the present. The prophets never had an easy life. As they were able to point out the mistakes and injustices of others, they were mostly engaged in conflict with kings, temple authorities, political and religious leaders and people themselves. Their message was the echo of the Word. Prophets had not only visions but also were able to translate the message of God revealed through the visions. They had learn to read the events in God's way. They performed symbolic actions which provoked the people to repentance.
In short, prophets were those who tried to bring the people back to god in spite of their infidelities and injustice against the promise God made with them.
“I shall be your God and you will be my People”.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
My response to the creation story and the myth
My Response to Myth and Genesis
As I read the creation story, I i came to know that creation story has noting to do with science or scientific explanations. It may be a competition here based on misunderstanding and is misguided. Creation story is a religious statement. it is a faith statement to understand ourselves and our world at our deepest level and it must be a response to the word of God. Our world exists because of our relationship to God and the nature. I must understand the creation story it is not only happened in our early days, but also it is happening each and every moment in my lives. it has some important in our lives and it tells us what is happening in our life.
Then we look at the myth it has some truth and purpose for our lives. When I heard the creation story in my child hood i did not think about that much and i believed what was said there. But I think and believe in different way. Myth is not for us to argument but it is for us to relate with our present situation. It is defined as religious story and history for the Israelites. Myth has made human beings to believe and it makes them to understand the love of God. Myth has some truth which can change my heart and mind it gives me a hope and encourage to live fully as human. Every culture there is myth to help people to realize that how the human and divine are engaged in dialogue in early days. For me too it tells how our ancestors and God had related with each other and what happened to that relationship, and how I can continue the relationship with God.
When I read the Genesis chapter 1 to 11, it clearly tells me that I am an image of God I accept that I have to reflect God's activity in my life by life giving justice-doing and peace making. I came across the four main stories in these chapter which have the same idea about the human sin against God and the punishment of God followed by the grace of God at the end. in all these stories the people went beyond the limits of their creature hood and rejected the image of God. as a result God punished them with out taking of their lives From this I learn that God is love and we have to be human accepting his love and the image he has given. I have to reflect on and experience the love of God and his forgiveness for the sins of people. I must share the love and the forgiveness with my brothers and sisters. Through my witnessing, I have to bring the word of God to the people those who are in need.
by
Bro. Robin
As I read the creation story, I i came to know that creation story has noting to do with science or scientific explanations. It may be a competition here based on misunderstanding and is misguided. Creation story is a religious statement. it is a faith statement to understand ourselves and our world at our deepest level and it must be a response to the word of God. Our world exists because of our relationship to God and the nature. I must understand the creation story it is not only happened in our early days, but also it is happening each and every moment in my lives. it has some important in our lives and it tells us what is happening in our life.
Then we look at the myth it has some truth and purpose for our lives. When I heard the creation story in my child hood i did not think about that much and i believed what was said there. But I think and believe in different way. Myth is not for us to argument but it is for us to relate with our present situation. It is defined as religious story and history for the Israelites. Myth has made human beings to believe and it makes them to understand the love of God. Myth has some truth which can change my heart and mind it gives me a hope and encourage to live fully as human. Every culture there is myth to help people to realize that how the human and divine are engaged in dialogue in early days. For me too it tells how our ancestors and God had related with each other and what happened to that relationship, and how I can continue the relationship with God.
When I read the Genesis chapter 1 to 11, it clearly tells me that I am an image of God I accept that I have to reflect God's activity in my life by life giving justice-doing and peace making. I came across the four main stories in these chapter which have the same idea about the human sin against God and the punishment of God followed by the grace of God at the end. in all these stories the people went beyond the limits of their creature hood and rejected the image of God. as a result God punished them with out taking of their lives From this I learn that God is love and we have to be human accepting his love and the image he has given. I have to reflect on and experience the love of God and his forgiveness for the sins of people. I must share the love and the forgiveness with my brothers and sisters. Through my witnessing, I have to bring the word of God to the people those who are in need.
by
Bro. Robin
usefulness of the Psychology to the religious
Introduction to the Psychology
what is psychology and its objectives? how does that help you in your formation as future educator, format or, or active religious in your community. prayers and in the field of apostalate?
The term of Psychology comes from the two Greek words “psyche” meaning mind or soul and “logos” meaning study. Psychology is defined by the psychologists as the scientific study of human and animal behavior. It helps me to understand myself and others better. Psychology deals with all aspects of human life, such as individuals or group's physical state, mental state and the environment. It purpose is not only to understand, but also who we are and how we feel and also how we can become better person and live our lives more meaningfully and fruitfully.
To become a good educator study of psychology helps me to grow in my understanding of my emotions and behaviors, limitations and ability of doing things, I become aware of my actions and reactions and what influences them. It also helps me to live my vocation more meaningfully as a Brother and an educator.
Psychology will be very useful for me to understand the personalities of the young people in formation, and their behavior and emotion and reaction. It will also help me to guide them in their life journey as a Brother.
Knowing myself better will help me to live a good community life, because every community consists of brothers coming from different family and cultural backgrounds. They might have different behavior. It also helps me to accept them as my brothers and cooperate with them in the living of community life. It leads me to a healthy relationship with them it will create a good atmosphere in the community.
In terms of prayer, psychology helps me to accept my self with my limitations and strengths. It also helps me to reflect my experience in the light of the gospels, and to be faithful to my commitments. It also helps me to understand my self and others better.
It will help me in my future ministries to deal with issues in an appropriate way. In my apostalate I may come across people, who think, act, behave and speak differently. Psychology helps me to understand them and their behavior and also relate with them very friendly.
These are some of my hopes from my course on psychology for my future and it helps me to grow in my day today life as Marist Brothers. I am sure that, there will be many more things I will be learning during this course.
Thank you
by
Bro. Robinston
what is psychology and its objectives? how does that help you in your formation as future educator, format or, or active religious in your community. prayers and in the field of apostalate?
The term of Psychology comes from the two Greek words “psyche” meaning mind or soul and “logos” meaning study. Psychology is defined by the psychologists as the scientific study of human and animal behavior. It helps me to understand myself and others better. Psychology deals with all aspects of human life, such as individuals or group's physical state, mental state and the environment. It purpose is not only to understand, but also who we are and how we feel and also how we can become better person and live our lives more meaningfully and fruitfully.
To become a good educator study of psychology helps me to grow in my understanding of my emotions and behaviors, limitations and ability of doing things, I become aware of my actions and reactions and what influences them. It also helps me to live my vocation more meaningfully as a Brother and an educator.
Psychology will be very useful for me to understand the personalities of the young people in formation, and their behavior and emotion and reaction. It will also help me to guide them in their life journey as a Brother.
Knowing myself better will help me to live a good community life, because every community consists of brothers coming from different family and cultural backgrounds. They might have different behavior. It also helps me to accept them as my brothers and cooperate with them in the living of community life. It leads me to a healthy relationship with them it will create a good atmosphere in the community.
In terms of prayer, psychology helps me to accept my self with my limitations and strengths. It also helps me to reflect my experience in the light of the gospels, and to be faithful to my commitments. It also helps me to understand my self and others better.
It will help me in my future ministries to deal with issues in an appropriate way. In my apostalate I may come across people, who think, act, behave and speak differently. Psychology helps me to understand them and their behavior and also relate with them very friendly.
These are some of my hopes from my course on psychology for my future and it helps me to grow in my day today life as Marist Brothers. I am sure that, there will be many more things I will be learning during this course.
Thank you
by
Bro. Robinston
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Guided Meditation for Being Kind
Guided Meditation for Being Kind
Being kind is being nice and it makes the person that you are being nice to feel good, and it makes you feel good, too!
Being kind is a passport to making friends, also. When we see someone that is having a problem and then step in to help, everyone benefits - both the one being helped and the one helping out.
Guided meditation about being kind
Start by sitting up straight in your meditation place, and begin doing even and natural breathing like this - breathe in 1 count and breathe out 1 count, and repeat this even pattern while sitting still and thinking. You don't need to say the numbers during the meditation. Just keep up the even rhythm of breathing.
If you are sitting on a cushion on the floor, fold in your legs and place your folded hands in your lap. If you are sitting in a chair, place the soles of your feet on the floor and place your hands in your lap. If you like, keep a journal and pen at your side to write about any thoughts that come to you about being kind.
Breathing evenly in and out calms the mind and body and is a good preparation for any meditation. And keeping up the even pattern during the meditation gives you a clearer mind and relaxed body so you can turn all your attention to the topic of the meditation.
Now, imagine that you are walking along the street on the sidewalk and you see a woman senior citizen who seems to have too many bags of groceries. She looks like they are too heavy for her.
You run up to her and politely volunteer to carry some of her bags home.
She is grateful and you spend a few minutes going out of your way walking home with her.
Now, notice that you feel like you have more energy than even before you saw the woman needing help. This is what being kind does - helps out another and gives you more energy, too!
To finish your meditation, take a deep breath in and let it out, then open your eyes and stretch out. Write down any new thoughts that have come to you from thinking about being kind.
Take this thought with you: If more people in our world would take the time to be kind to each other, we would realize we really do live in a big worldwide human family.
by
susan
edited by
robin
Being kind is being nice and it makes the person that you are being nice to feel good, and it makes you feel good, too!
Being kind is a passport to making friends, also. When we see someone that is having a problem and then step in to help, everyone benefits - both the one being helped and the one helping out.
Guided meditation about being kind
Start by sitting up straight in your meditation place, and begin doing even and natural breathing like this - breathe in 1 count and breathe out 1 count, and repeat this even pattern while sitting still and thinking. You don't need to say the numbers during the meditation. Just keep up the even rhythm of breathing.
If you are sitting on a cushion on the floor, fold in your legs and place your folded hands in your lap. If you are sitting in a chair, place the soles of your feet on the floor and place your hands in your lap. If you like, keep a journal and pen at your side to write about any thoughts that come to you about being kind.
Breathing evenly in and out calms the mind and body and is a good preparation for any meditation. And keeping up the even pattern during the meditation gives you a clearer mind and relaxed body so you can turn all your attention to the topic of the meditation.
Now, imagine that you are walking along the street on the sidewalk and you see a woman senior citizen who seems to have too many bags of groceries. She looks like they are too heavy for her.
You run up to her and politely volunteer to carry some of her bags home.
She is grateful and you spend a few minutes going out of your way walking home with her.
Now, notice that you feel like you have more energy than even before you saw the woman needing help. This is what being kind does - helps out another and gives you more energy, too!
To finish your meditation, take a deep breath in and let it out, then open your eyes and stretch out. Write down any new thoughts that have come to you from thinking about being kind.
Take this thought with you: If more people in our world would take the time to be kind to each other, we would realize we really do live in a big worldwide human family.
by
susan
edited by
robin
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
reflection on love
Reflection On love
Love.
The four letter word that everybody uses.
Tarnished by familiarity.
Sought by all.
Found by some.
Treasured by many.
Abused by others.
Love.
Too big to be described in just one word, according to the Greeks.
'The greatest commandment,' according to Jesus.
'Greater than faith or hope,' according to Paul.
'Changes everything', according to Lloyd Webber.
Love.
The paradox of life:
liberating and constraining;
Vulnerable and strong;
Sustaining and consuming;
Free and yet costly.
But more than a playground crush or the passions of puberty,
More than religious duty, respectability or impeccable manners,
Love is the power that heals and inspires…
That looks beyond itself and puts others first…
That sees the bigger picture and makes the humble gesture…
Love.
Sourced in God,
revealed in Jesus,
flowing through us,
and demanding a response.
by
Bro. Robin
Love.
The four letter word that everybody uses.
Tarnished by familiarity.
Sought by all.
Found by some.
Treasured by many.
Abused by others.
Love.
Too big to be described in just one word, according to the Greeks.
'The greatest commandment,' according to Jesus.
'Greater than faith or hope,' according to Paul.
'Changes everything', according to Lloyd Webber.
Love.
The paradox of life:
liberating and constraining;
Vulnerable and strong;
Sustaining and consuming;
Free and yet costly.
But more than a playground crush or the passions of puberty,
More than religious duty, respectability or impeccable manners,
Love is the power that heals and inspires…
That looks beyond itself and puts others first…
That sees the bigger picture and makes the humble gesture…
Love.
Sourced in God,
revealed in Jesus,
flowing through us,
and demanding a response.
by
Bro. Robin
why be a brother
Vocation
WHY BE A BROTHER?
by Sean Sammon, fms
Selfishness! That’s an odd reason to give for being a religious brother during the last decade of the twentieth century. However, it’s not the clawing greed many thought characteristic of the 1990s.
No, it’s another kind of “selfishness” - one born of this experience: looking around, asking more questions about life than I care to remember, examining a number of options, and finding myself saying, “I really haven’t found a more rewarding or satisfying way of spending my life than being a religious brother.”
Brothers are a fairly misunderstood lot. Although you hear it less frequently today, years ago many Catholics asked about brothers: “Why don’t they just go the whole way?” they wondered quietly if these men simply weren’t good enough or smart enough to be priests.
Concerns like these really miss the point of what brotherhood is all about. For those of us who are brothers, the title says a great deal more about who we are than about what we do.
About two-and-a-half years ago, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men produced a video entitled, Brother is a Verb! This thirty-minute production takes a look at five religious brothers: a physician at Johns Hopkins, the director of an education program in California serving Hispanic American adults, the pastoral administrator of South Dakota’s Our Lady of the Sioux parish, and an administrator and teacher working with young native Americans at the Kola alternative School on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Each of these men is involved in wonderful and needed ministries. Their works, however, are not what impress you. It’s who they are that lingers even when the video has ended. All five are brothers who brother.
Why Not a Priest?
I’ve had other experiences of the brother’s vocation being misunderstood. Several years ago, a participant in a workshop I was conducting came up after one of the presentations and said, “The church has a real shortage of priests these days. You’re well educated, a good teacher, and seem to be able to listen to people - don’t you think you owe it to the church to consider ordination?” this question misses the boat on the brother’s vocation: brothers are not priests because the Lord called them to be brothers. It’s that simple.
The brother’s vocation is important to the church today. Brother Brice Byzeynski, fms coined the title of the Brother is a Verb! video mentioned earlier. In doing so, he captured a central aspect of the religious brother’s identity. We are men who witness to Christ’s presence as our brother. We do this by living out the evangelical councils - poverty, chastity and obedience - in community and serving the church and world in our apostolates.
Once again, though, it’s who we are that counts most; it’s not what we do but how we approach what we do that makes a difference.
Our world today greatly needs the witness of brothers. Christ was clear in his message: he wanted us to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. Brothers relate to others like real brothers in a family, not for their own gain but for the common good.
When Jesus walked among us, he was vulnerable, loving, challenging, inspiring, and, most of all, human. Religious brothers strive to do the same, not always successfully but at least sincerely.
What about myself? Why am I a brother; why do I remain one? I first met the Marist Brothers thirty years ago while a student at St. Agnes High School in New York City. I was immediately taken with these men. They appeared happy and seemed to love what they were doing.
It was several years later, while in the Marist novitiate in Tyngsboro, MA that I learned their history as a group and started to appreciate the profound spirituality that motivated them. I remember what first drew me to them as if it were yesterday: their love of life, their enthusiasm, their happiness as a group. Now, twenty-five years later, those qualities still keep me going.
An Inspiring Founder
Over the last twenty-five years, I’ve also come to appreciate and love the remarkable founder of my congregation, Marcellin Champagnat. His story is incredible. Marcellin acted on the inspiration to found the Marist Brothers in his late twenties. He worked hard to teach our early members what it meant to be a brother. He believed that the brothers, working with other branches of the Marist family, could again bring the Gospel to a church and world torn apart by the revolutions of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
The young people of today’s world have needs as great as those Marcellin and our early brothers found in their day. Toda’s youth needed people who are willing to brother them. In my own twenty-five years of Marist life, I’ve worked as a high school teacher, guidance counselor and later as a clinical psychologist. Presently I’m serving as provincial of my order. However, whether working in schools, hospitals, treatment centers, or offices, I’ve been reminded time and again that it’s being a brother that counts.
I’ve also come to learn that the dream of Marcellin Champagnat has, over time, also become mine. The Lord’s call to me is to brother. I’d be less than honest if I didn’t admit that there have been doubts and questions. Nevertheless, whenever they’ve occurred, I’ve discovered once again that being a brother is the best way for me to grow in my love of the Lord and in his plan for me. Sure, there are many other ways I could live out my life, and they too would allow me to serve the church and other people. None though would ever be quite as satisfying as being a brother.
WHY BE A BROTHER?
by Sean Sammon, fms
Selfishness! That’s an odd reason to give for being a religious brother during the last decade of the twentieth century. However, it’s not the clawing greed many thought characteristic of the 1990s.
No, it’s another kind of “selfishness” - one born of this experience: looking around, asking more questions about life than I care to remember, examining a number of options, and finding myself saying, “I really haven’t found a more rewarding or satisfying way of spending my life than being a religious brother.”
Brothers are a fairly misunderstood lot. Although you hear it less frequently today, years ago many Catholics asked about brothers: “Why don’t they just go the whole way?” they wondered quietly if these men simply weren’t good enough or smart enough to be priests.
Concerns like these really miss the point of what brotherhood is all about. For those of us who are brothers, the title says a great deal more about who we are than about what we do.
About two-and-a-half years ago, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men produced a video entitled, Brother is a Verb! This thirty-minute production takes a look at five religious brothers: a physician at Johns Hopkins, the director of an education program in California serving Hispanic American adults, the pastoral administrator of South Dakota’s Our Lady of the Sioux parish, and an administrator and teacher working with young native Americans at the Kola alternative School on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Each of these men is involved in wonderful and needed ministries. Their works, however, are not what impress you. It’s who they are that lingers even when the video has ended. All five are brothers who brother.
Why Not a Priest?
I’ve had other experiences of the brother’s vocation being misunderstood. Several years ago, a participant in a workshop I was conducting came up after one of the presentations and said, “The church has a real shortage of priests these days. You’re well educated, a good teacher, and seem to be able to listen to people - don’t you think you owe it to the church to consider ordination?” this question misses the boat on the brother’s vocation: brothers are not priests because the Lord called them to be brothers. It’s that simple.
The brother’s vocation is important to the church today. Brother Brice Byzeynski, fms coined the title of the Brother is a Verb! video mentioned earlier. In doing so, he captured a central aspect of the religious brother’s identity. We are men who witness to Christ’s presence as our brother. We do this by living out the evangelical councils - poverty, chastity and obedience - in community and serving the church and world in our apostolates.
Once again, though, it’s who we are that counts most; it’s not what we do but how we approach what we do that makes a difference.
Our world today greatly needs the witness of brothers. Christ was clear in his message: he wanted us to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. Brothers relate to others like real brothers in a family, not for their own gain but for the common good.
When Jesus walked among us, he was vulnerable, loving, challenging, inspiring, and, most of all, human. Religious brothers strive to do the same, not always successfully but at least sincerely.
What about myself? Why am I a brother; why do I remain one? I first met the Marist Brothers thirty years ago while a student at St. Agnes High School in New York City. I was immediately taken with these men. They appeared happy and seemed to love what they were doing.
It was several years later, while in the Marist novitiate in Tyngsboro, MA that I learned their history as a group and started to appreciate the profound spirituality that motivated them. I remember what first drew me to them as if it were yesterday: their love of life, their enthusiasm, their happiness as a group. Now, twenty-five years later, those qualities still keep me going.
An Inspiring Founder
Over the last twenty-five years, I’ve also come to appreciate and love the remarkable founder of my congregation, Marcellin Champagnat. His story is incredible. Marcellin acted on the inspiration to found the Marist Brothers in his late twenties. He worked hard to teach our early members what it meant to be a brother. He believed that the brothers, working with other branches of the Marist family, could again bring the Gospel to a church and world torn apart by the revolutions of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
The young people of today’s world have needs as great as those Marcellin and our early brothers found in their day. Toda’s youth needed people who are willing to brother them. In my own twenty-five years of Marist life, I’ve worked as a high school teacher, guidance counselor and later as a clinical psychologist. Presently I’m serving as provincial of my order. However, whether working in schools, hospitals, treatment centers, or offices, I’ve been reminded time and again that it’s being a brother that counts.
I’ve also come to learn that the dream of Marcellin Champagnat has, over time, also become mine. The Lord’s call to me is to brother. I’d be less than honest if I didn’t admit that there have been doubts and questions. Nevertheless, whenever they’ve occurred, I’ve discovered once again that being a brother is the best way for me to grow in my love of the Lord and in his plan for me. Sure, there are many other ways I could live out my life, and they too would allow me to serve the church and other people. None though would ever be quite as satisfying as being a brother.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
auto biography of robin
hello my dear friends,
welcome to resource of robin
I am robinston from India. I am a religious belong to the congrecation little brothers of mary. I am from state of Tamilnadu and my district called thirunelveli. my little village is koottappanai. it is village close to uvari. you can visit the uvari in www.uvari.com. i am very happy to invite you to use this blog and. please send your comments to
thank you,
greetings from,
robinston.
welcome to resource of robin
I am robinston from India. I am a religious belong to the congrecation little brothers of mary. I am from state of Tamilnadu and my district called thirunelveli. my little village is koottappanai. it is village close to uvari. you can visit the uvari in www.uvari.com. i am very happy to invite you to use this blog and. please send your comments to
thank you,
greetings from,
robinston.
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