HOPE: AN ANCHOR FOR LIFE

Romans 15:13 is a wonderful prayer that Paul wants every believer to experience: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” So far I haven’t come across anyone saying, “I’m not concerned about having joy and peace and I don’t want to abound in hope.” In fact, we all want and need these qualities, and yet among us very few can reasonably claim to be filled with joy, peace and hope. Here I would...

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Happy Teachers Day

In India Teacher’s Day is celebrated on 5th of September as an acknowledgment to the impact made by the teachers towards the community. Since 1962 the day commemorates the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan, a great teacher and a staunch believer of education, known for his influence towards the education system of India. According to Dr Radhakhrishnan, “teachers should be the best minds in the country”. The birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan came to be celebrated as Teachers...

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GANESHA CHATURTHI AND ECO-CRISIS

As the day of Ganesh visarjan nears my memory goes back to my teenage days. I remember sleepless night, during the festival just before the morning Visarjan of the idol, engulfed with the extreme fun and the moment of fellowshipping, singing, dancing and worshipping.  Back then idols would amount from 50 rs to 50,000- 1 lac in Raipur city. I must say that most of the youngsters involved in the activity are there not because of any religiosity or piety towards any god or goddess but for...

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FORGIVEN TO FORGIVE

Recently I have been reading, “Why I forgive the Nazis who murdered my family: Eva Kor made it out of Auschwitz but her family was killed in the gas chambers. In a new documentary she explains why, despite protest from other Holocaust survivors, she has decided to forgive” and one of my friends asked me to write something about forgiveness while other friend was going through a hard time to forgive.  Forgiveness is central in Christian ethics and is a frequent topic in sermons and...

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THE FESTIVAL OF RAKHI: A REFLECTION

As I opened my eyes with the finishing of our morning family prayer today, I found a girl waiting for me from our vicinity with a plate holding rakhi and some sweets.  Raksha Bandhan is a widespread Hindu festival which celebrates the bond of affection between brothers and sisters. This date on which Raksha Bandhan falls this year is 7th of August, which is today. Raksha Bandhan is the celebration where the sisters tie (raakhi) a special cord known around the wrist of Brothers. On this...

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