Lord make me an instrument

Lord make me an instrument

An instrument of worship

I lift up my hands in Your name

Lord make me an instrument

An instrument of worship

I lift up my hands in Your name

I'll sing You a love song

A love song of worship

I'll lift up my hands in Your name

I'll sing You a love song

A love song to Jesus

I'll lift up my hands in Your name

For we are a symphony

A symphony of worship

We lift up our hands in Your name

For we are a symphony

A symphony of worship

We lift up our hands in Your name

We'll sing You a love song

A love song of worship

We'll lift up our hands in Your name

We'll sing you a love song

A love song to Jesus

We'll lift up our hands in Your name

Lord Make Me an Instrument by shseminary1

BIND US TOGETHER

BIND US TOGETHER, Lord, Bind us together

With cords that cannot be broken.

Bind us together, Lord,

Bind us together,

Bind us together with love.

Refrain

There is only one God,

There is only one King;

There is only one Body,

That is why we sing:

Refrain

Made for the glory of God,

Purchased by His precious Son;

Born with the right to be clean,

For Jesus the victory has won.

Refrain

You are the family of God,

You are the promise divine;

You are God’s chosen desire,

You are the glorious new wine.

Spirit of the living God

Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.

HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

Introduction                                                                                        

There was a time when people thought of the environment, its beauty and wonders. Now as the natural beauty of the earth disappears, many people around the world including me have awakened to the realities of just how danger our earth actually is. Now what shall we do to have a healthy environment? 
 

My statements for the healthy environment are:

1. Essential and strict environmental rules and regulations along with heavy taxation for those who cause environmental pollution will reduce the environmental crisis and will lead us to have a good and healthy environmental atmosphere.
2. Technologies and Industrial developments followed by each individual (each one of us) who are responsible or so called agents of the environmental crisis must take conscious efforts not to pollute the mother earth no more.

The possible elements for healthy environment
Essential and strict rules and regulations are necessary for clean earth:
International Organizations and agencies including the United Nations, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization have also contributed environmental rules and regulations. But they all remain with only documents, not even the minimum have been implemented. It is not enough that we make rules but implementing and following them is important. Moreover rules and regulations must be possible one and easy to implement. Because when rules are made beyond practicality it may not be easy to implement and follow.  Essential and strict rules which are useful for the problems at hand will be of great help in helping the earth to remain non-polluted. Thrust must be given on the natural resources. Importance and awareness about the alternatives should be given to the industries as well as each individual because pollution is not the problem of one man or one nation it is a problem of the universe.
 

High taxes must be imposed regarding environmental crisis:
To reduce the pollution high taxes must imposed on those who produce waste and pollution. To do this there must be equal and uncompromised rules, be it developed country or be it developing or be it under developed countries. Because personally I feel the one who is able to use, buy or get benefit from something should also able to pay the taxes for waste or pollution that he/she/it produces. I think when someone is forced to pay taxes for the waste that he produces there will be a conscious effort of this I think only by doing so we can control pollution as well as we can stop the unnecessary usages of the mother earth resources. Awareness about the environmental crisis will help the people who are not aware of these things also will produce a bit effect.   Heavy taxation will really bring down the pollution; this is applicable to nations, industries, institutions, houses, offices or even public places. Because our main concern is not who we are? Where we are? But our main concern here is how our mother earth’s condition is and what can we do for that.

Agents of Environmental crisis
Technologies and industries are the great producers of pollution:
In polluting the earth technologies, industries and factories are the leading elements. In the name of modern technology and new inventions the resources of the earth main (air, water, and land) are polluted in larger scale. The ultimate motive of these ideas are only profit and competition and they least worry about the environment. Modern machines make the work of the people easy and make the life of the people miserable. Ultra modern vehicles look very pleasant to see and comfortable travel but produces lot of air pollution. New and different flavors of drinks are available but produce lot of water pollution when they are distilled. Huge and unbelievable buildings are coming up in the name of new avenues but destroy forests. Colourful and varieties of papers and plastic items are coming up but they are harmful to earth. These are the few examples for pollution by technologies and industries. Technologies of course have made life easy but the other part they have spoiled the resources and cause a great danger and threat to our mere life itself or to say our very existence itself. Technologies and modern developments made human lazy and inactive to certain extent. So they are the mass producers of pollution according to me.

Each individual is also responsible for the current environmental crisis:
On the one hand blaming the technologies and industries on the other hand each one of us are also responsible for environmental crisis. Each one of us are also responsible or agents in one way or the other because every things that we use or buy will have at least little waste. The important question is how do we dispose them? With our limited knowledge and understanding we may dispose them in the easiest ways possible without knowing the results or the pollution that waste will cause.  We may or I may justify that no way but who are the users of the things that are produced it is a bitter truth that we are the ones. We may not be aware of the ways that we pollute the earth (air, land and water). When we lavishly use the water we pollute the water. When we bourn the polythin and plastic things we pollute the air. When we through the wastes wherever we want we pollute the land. These are the ways that I or we pollute the earth. In helping the mother earth we also can be more serious and conscious in our daily life for not polluting our mother earth.

Conclusion
Any unwanted or discarded material from residential, commercial, industrial, mining and agricultural activities that cause environmental problems may be termed as solid waste. As I have given some of the elements regarding environmental crisis it is not the problem of anyone but it is a global problem. Industries and factories are polluting in great scale and each one of us may be in smaller scale. Many pollutants, wastes and additives can be reduced. Recycling and the minimization of resource use can reduce waste. Discouragement of private vehicles will be of great help. Alternatives like tidal, wind, solar, hydro-power will reduce the pollution much. Planting rather than cutting the trees must be encouraged. Steps by Government and business committees are important and great cooperation of each one of us is greater.  Religious leaders also can play a greater role in helping the people to control pollution. Each one of us can make a conscious effort to control the pollution and try for the good and healthy environment.

Antonidoss

I Year Theology

Papal Seminary, Pune

Environmental restoration

Introduction
 

Nature has taken 600 million years to develop the environment as it exists today but man in barely one million years of his existence, has brought about such changes which threaten the very existence of a healthy environment. The earth has experienced and recovered from many natural disasters in the past, but we now seem to be at a critical point, with humans facing responsibility for the future of the planet. Issues concerning environment now not only worry scientists but statesmen, rulers and general public as well. Here my concern too falls under the category of environmental restoration-from analyzing the problems in general and bringing possible solutions to restore a healthy and vibrant environment. 
 

Man – an agent of his own destruction
Man lives a life of comfort and luxury which requires additional resources. The activity of modern man has slowly been degrading the quality of global environment. Two major aspects we can see as degradation. (i) Over-exploitation of natural resources (ii) polluting the environment. On the other hand, man had learned to tackle complex problems through his in genuine brain which is selfish. Indiscriminate use of some substances and developed devices can be hazardous to the entire humanity of this planet. E.g. Hazardous chemicals, misuse of biotechnology and nuclear dilemma. These are capable of bringing about enormous amount of damage to the environment and to human.   

Towards sustainable development
Both developed and under developed countries are injurious to the life supporting system of this planet. We are in need to build a sustainable world- a world which should last forever. If we maintain fair sharing of global resources and availability of basic requirements of everyday life to everyone – food clothing, drinking water, shelter, there could be no damage to other life –forms and environment. Satisfactory information is that the resources of this world, if properly managed, distributed and utilized economically, are sufficient for all living beings- as the environment stands today. It is a global issue which forces us to think as to where we are going? It is high time for us that we should rethink and take proper steps to build up a world of permanence- a sustainable society which lasts forever. If is not the question of locality or wild life or deforestation or pollution, but it is crisis about the developmental pattern which we have followed so far.

Care for creation – a responsibility
We cannot expect people to act in appropriate way without awareness of the problems, its causes, the impact on our daily life and the long range of consequences. Many problems concerning environment and biosphere are simply there because so many people contribute little bits and pieces to it, all of which put together assume enormous damage. A little effort, a little care for creation exercised by each individual in the society could eliminate the entire problem.
 

Caring – an authentic ethic of responsibility to environment
This caring nature can be easily imposed on people through environmental education. This education fosters a positive pattern of conduct towards environment. A number of damaging activities can be stopped simply by providing adequate understanding of the environmental degradation. This understanding must become an ethic or norm of human being responsibly coming forward to protect the mother earth-our home. Motivating people to conserve resources, protecting environment and avoiding extravagant usage of resources can be overcome by our caring for creation. 

Kirubakaran A.

I Year Theology

Papal Seminary, Pune

CHRISTOLOGY – AN INVITATION TO ENCOUNTER

A Christian must at all times be aware that the way he lives affects the lives of those around him for better or for worse. Whether I like it or not either I am a stumbling block in my neighbour’s path or I am a stepping stone to him on the road to salvation. Jesus is the centre and basic of Christianity. Christian preaching began with the proclamation of the Mystery of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. I experience that Christianity means not only the following of the teachings of Jesus, but commitment to the person of Jesus Christ. Christianity becomes meaningless, if Jesus Christ did not really exist in this world. As St. Paul says, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins,” 1 Cor: 15:17. My concern here lies on the human nature but without denying the divine nature.

The descending Christological structure of Paul’s epistle which indicates the human nature of Jesus in Roman: 1:3 is expressed in the words: “He was descended from David according to the flesh”. Here I try to highlight the significance of human nature of Jesus who identified himself with the marginalized and the poor. He had a unique relationship with His disciples. He goes out of his way to seek and choose his disciples (Lk 6:12-16). He was not like that of Jewish rabbis. He transcends the law on His own authority and reveals its true meaning. He insists, not on the letter of the law, but on its spirit. He wants to free people from being blind slaves of the law (Mk: 2:27). Pauline expression gives that Jesus was born in the world where I am now. He challenged his society by the very way of his life and made a marvellous impact. He reminds me that I too have taken the form of the flesh- a human being. I have to live up to his expectations. I have an obligation to work for the growth of my neighbour.

   

Jesus has a unique relationship with God whom he dares to address by the familiar Aramaic word ‘abba’. Jesus was able to perform mighty miracles because he was mighty in prayer. At the end of a tiring day of service to people, when his energies were spent, he felt the need to go apart for refreshing himself in prayer. Jesus, though he was the son of God, lived a fully human life. If Jesus the Son of God needed prayer, what about me a faultering human being?  As a future diocesan priest, this aspect of Jesus towards God the Father invites me to spend my life faithful in prayer so to be saved. He has a very special and uniqueness type of consciousness. He is conscious that in Him the kingdom of God has come. His demands (Lk 9:59-62) are absolute, since he is confident that in Him God has intervened in human history. As a child of God, wearing the mind of Jesus, I need to understand and discern in my vocation and mission to serve Him and his people in this world where I can be a witness or at least a believer or follower of Christ- the son of God whose attitude must reflect in my life.

In spite of all the difficulties, St. Paul who encountered Jesus witnessed the Gospel and preached. For him, it was of external opposition. He challenges me with the question “Who do you say that I am?” (Mk: 8:29). To answer this question, I need to cheque my personal relationship with Christ. Like Paul in re-making my relationship with God and people I may find both internal and external opposition.  Jesus expects me to break away with all these things and come forward to create a new world of love and peace. The important thing is to ‘to encounter’ Jesus Christ, to experience Him. This ‘encountering’ implies acquiring a sense of what Jesus thinks and feels, of His vision of the world and of His values. It means “putting on” of the mind of Jesus Christ. Any one who is interested in the meaning of life and its ultimate questions can never ever ignore Him. At last I had found him whom I sought for. By encountering such a person in my life i can transform myself to be a stepping stone in the lives of my fellow beings.

Kirubakaran A.

I Year Theology

Papal Seminary, Pune

THE MISSION OF JOHN THE BAPTIST IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

Introduction  

        In the pre Lucan tradition John is understood from the stand point of the dawn of the new eschatological age. He is more than a prophet, he is the forerunner, and he is Elijah. It is true that he does not set out his views coherently, but he indicates it whenever he speaks of John by what he omits and by what he adds. In the tradition John the Baptist stands on the dividing line between the old and the new epoch. He not only announces the imminent Kingdom of God, but it is himself a sign of his arrival. John no longer marks the arrival of the new aeon, but the division between two epochs in the one continuous story as it is described in Luke. The eschatological events do not break out after John, but a new stage in the process of salvation is reached, John himself still belonging to the earlier of the two epochs which meet at this point. This transformation of the tradition concerning John affects all the different sources, and therefore is to be attributed to Luke himself.

Lucan view of John in redemptive history            

        Luke provides the key to the topography of redemptive history.  Narrative of John is due to Lucan Christology. The Lord is not Yahweh but Jesus. This is metaphoric, symbolic statements which can be interpreted in terms of ethical transformation and which has social implication. John is the ‘new Elijah’ who prepares the way of the Lord. This is taken from Isaiah 40:3-6. Luke emphasizes the universal significance of the Messiah. This fulfills what was told of John in 1:15-17 and 1:76-79.

         Luke makes it point at the same time to a continuity: until now there is also the preaching of the kingdom. Therefore the preaching of repentance is continued by Jesus. It is John’s role to prepare the way for this by preaching and baptism, and his great merit is that he refused to claim for himself the messianic role. At the same time, however, this makes plain John’s limitations: it is only through the proclamation of the kingdom that John’s preaching and only through the spirit that John’s baptism, are raised to a level appropriate to the new epoch. Apart from the prologue Luke recognizes no typological correspondence between John the Baptist and Jesus. John has a clearly defined function in the centre of the story of salvation. As it is his ministry rather than his person that serves as a preparation for Jesus, he is subordinate to the work of Jesus in the same way as is the whole epoch of the Law. It plainly contradicts the prologue, where in Jesus is linked with Elijah. 

        Luke‘s own view stands out here particularly clearly. Luke‘s argument, however, is the reverse of this traditional view: John the Baptist inaugurated the second period though he belongs to the First period. John is not the precursor, for there is no such thing but he is the last of the prophets. Luke informs us that John is dead and appears no more. The tension between tradition and the adaption of it can be seen in Luke. In the tradition John was more than a prophet; now he becomes the greatest prophet.

Baptism: a symbol of repentance

        Those who come to John are ordinary people but later the Jewish leaders fail to respond to John’s invitation of the message of repentance which we find in 7:30 and 20:5. They also do not listen to Jesus. They are the most unexpected people like Roman soldiers, much hated tax collectors. They did not bother but they responded. This was possible for the Non-Jewish people. John’s giving baptism (3:7) is a symbol of repentance but it has to be completed in Jesus’ way. This involves Faith in terms of proclamation and the gift of the spirit. Repentance is a complete turn around in one’s life and is seen in one’s ethical renewal. Forgiveness is an important term in Luke. It has to do with release from debt, imprisonment originally, metaphorically guilt and consequences of sins. 

There is a message for the Church:

1. Church is not only looking for the expected responses but also unexpected responses because God is at work.
2. John is a preparer of the way. He brings people to Jesus. This is the model of the Church. Church is not the messiah just as John was not the Messiah. Church should bring people to the faith to encounter the messiah. 
3. The Church has to be persecuted to prepare the way of the Lord. So do not be surprised. In all these, Christian Baptism is part of the answer. Baptism is a water baptism. Jesus is a giver and bearer of the Spirit or fire. ‘Judgment’ is the other side of ‘Salvation’ (Acts 1:1-2).
4. Luke blindly puts that nobody is in a ‘privileged position’. Every one is equal before God and should manifest this ethical renewal. Sharing of material goods is important in Luke.

People should be caring for others and less for themselves in terms of sharing. They should manifest as a sign of repentance and seek renewal in their lives in which not just following rituals only but also radical demands. E) People should be caring for others and less for themselves in terms of sharing. They should manifest as a sign of repentance and seek renewal in their lives in which not just following rituals only but also in radical demands.

Conclusion

        John is included within the saving events, but not that one should think of John in an eschatological sense. The fact is that the ministry of John and that of Jesus overlap to a certain extent in time. The exit of John the Baptist has no particular significance, and it is the fate of the prophets that we learn of his death incidentally, and not an eschatological event. Luke can find apologetic on behalf of the Baptist in his sources. Yet in respect of these two figures he is quite independent, but consistent, as a result of his eschatology. To sum up, we may say that Luke employs geographical factors for the purpose of setting out his fundamental conception, and that he modifies his sources to a considerable extent. This modification takes the form of a conscious editorial process of omissions, additions, and alterations in the wording of the sources. It is plain that his purpose is to keep separate the respective localities of John and of Jesus.    

Kirubakaran A.

I Year Theology

Papal Seminary, Pune