(Un)wrapping an (In)valuable Gift!

(Un)wrapping an (In)valuable Gift!

By: Cl. William David

            Who actually understands the value of a gift, is it the giver or the receiver? Jack gifts Jessie with a beautiful red rose one day, and surprises her with a gift of a diamond ring another day. What really matters here, is it a rose-or-diamond issue or the generous giving of Jack? The primary aspect is not what one gives, but the noble act that one gives. Both in a rose and in diamond, Jack just wrapped his love for Jessie. Now, it is up to Jessie to unwrap the value of love in it. It is the receiver who understands the worth of a gift, not the giver! Consider, the wonder done by Jesus, the receiver of five loaves and two fish from the little boy giving what he had. Think of the worth of the two coins offered by the widow in the temple. It is the reception that recognizes; it is acceptance that appreciates the gift. This is what a Noble Poet, Rabindranath Tagore splendidly puts, “Love’s gift cannot be given, it waits to be accepted.”

        

    As life, love is also all about giving and receiving. In giving one becomes a lover, in receiving one becomes a beloved. The gift of ‘I love you, My dear’ may mean nothing to one who resists to receive it; however, the non-reception, so-called ‘refusal, rejection, etc.’ Never ever reduce the value of the gift and the giver. A genuine giver, true lover loses nothing, but the receiver! Philosopher Bertrand Russell says, “Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.” Take, for instance, a day consists of sun’s giving light and moon’s reflection of that light. Love too consists in both giving and receiving. The more a moon receives, the brighter she shines! On the other hand, if she fails to receive and reflect, does the sun lose his light? Impossible! A wrapped gift is not known, unless someone unwrap it. The value of it is never in the wrapping but always in the hands of the one who discovers it. Dr. Leo Buscaglia, an American author (known as ‘Dr. Love’) also seems to come along the way, when he says, “Love is always bestowed as a gift – freely, willingly, and without expectation. We don’t love to be loved, we love to love.”

            The exciting things of life are ‘being surprised’, yet more enjoyable excitements are ‘making others surprised’. Hence, what is next?... Come on just wrap the gifts for people around, at the same time, please be keen and patient enough to unwrap the gifts that are actually around us, in and through people, nature and God. Only the eyes that look at you understand the value of your smile. It is love that makes life eternal, for the Dr. Love writes, “What love we’ve given, we’ll have forever. What love we fail to give, will be lost for all eternity.” No gift is so small. No love is so mean. Shall we value each gift and unwrap every love?

Hacksaw Ridge (Movie Review)

Hacksaw Ridge (Movie Review)

Hacksaw Ridge, a beautifully depicted movie of a real life hero who goes to war without a gun. Desmond Doss, a young man living during the time of the war between America and Japan. Like any other youngster he too wishes to enlist in the army but as a medic. His elder brother had already enlisted himself to fight. The family wasn’t very supportive. His father, an ex-war solider who is now reduced to a depressed drunkard and his pious mother, who bears all the sufferings, were not of the idea that Desmond go to war. In time, he finds the girl of his life and promises to marry her on his return during his vacations. However things go wrong with him when in the training camp he holds his convictions higher than touching a gun or let aside wielding. He is bullied, tortured and even beaten up. But he continues to follow on the way of the gospel values. Finally in court due to his father’s interventions he is allowed to go to war without a gun. Initially, he’s looked down upon as a burden to be saved. But tides turn when the American army retreats during a battle. He continues to stay back rescuing the soldiers who are still alive though severely injured. He even goes to the extent of saving the lives of the soldiers of the opposite enemies. A true story that gives a strong witness to a world lost in violence that Jesus even today continues to outshine everything through people strong in faith, willing to die for him. A motivational movie that everyone must watch. Desmond Doss has something to teach us all!

Deadpool 2 (Movie Review)

Deadpool 2 (Movie Review)

As stated by the protagonist himself, Deadpool 2 is a best seller, only second to Mel Gibson’s ‘Passion of Christ’. It is a story of how Wade finally finds a family. The movie shows us how Wade aka Deadpool is on a spree killing the underworld goons and thus in his own unique way, serving justice. However, the consequence to it is that some of those goons attack his house and kill his fiancée. This causes him to begin his suicidal spree in various ways. Being able to regenerate, he can’t die. However, he gets a glimpse of his fiancée in the afterlife directing him on the path he needs to take. From there on he joins the X-Men and in one of their joint missions he meets a kid called Russel aka Firefist, the character on whom the story revolves around. Russel is a mutant who just like any other mutant child is tortured. In an attempt to save the kid Deadpool gets himself locked up inside the prison. Here he encounters, a new character, Cable, a time-travelling mutant, who’s there to kill Deadpool and Russel. As the movie progresses, Firefist realizes that Deadpool doesn’t care for him and thus finds a new friend in Juggernaut. At the end, Cable reveals that Russel killed his family and that he was only here for revenge. However, Deadpool’s heart melts for the kid and thus after a long argument and many graphic fights all are united and they form the X-Force, a family. Sexual content is present and minimal but abusive language and gore is heard and seen along with a lot more reference that boldly makes a mockery of movies, songs and even Ryan Reynolds himself. This movie is recommended for an adult viewing since the violence portrayed can be quite disturbing.

Autobiography of a Salesian’s Comb

Autobiography of a Salesian’s Comb

By: Cl. Ethan Fortes

            I have been with this friend of mine for twenty long years. During all these years I was his most prized possession. But, over time I became hair-collector. I remember the day when I was first placed in the hands of my owner. He was a young adult so full of life ready to take on the world. And I in all my simplicity was just an ordinary comb in a paper bag. I was very excited because I knew that from then on I would be of use to somebody. On that very day, I was put to use for the first time. I remember rubbing my teeth against the greasy oil-soaked hair of this ‘then young brat’. I didn’t enjoy it but I had to learn to love it. He loved me so much that he would come to see me every day. Every morning when he arose from the bed he would freshen up and use me to make him look neat and tidy. The only thing I enjoyed about this whole routine was that I could always admire myself in the mirror that he used to look at himself. The mirror and I were good friends since we complemented each other very well.

            But, that was twenty years ago. Now, I am the least significant thing in his life. The amount of hair that I have caught in my teeth in the past five years has been quite meagre. It seems that I have pulled out a lot of his hair that he now has a tonsure on his head. Nevertheless, he still follows his morning routine of using me after freshening up. I feel sorry for the damage I had done to him because of my teeth but I hope that this isn’t a permanent damage. I am optimistic that one day he may regain the hair he had once lost.  

THE SALESIAN STORY

THE SALESIAN STORY

By: Cl. Ian Pinto

As a young boy,

Don Bosco was called

To save young souls;

A lifetime he toiled.

In love he worked

And begged and shared;

 He did it all

Because he cared.

To help the young

Their potential to gain;

This mission would entail

A good deal of pain.

Like roses strewn

Along the way;

It’s those who endure

The thorns that stay.

When Don Bosco walked

The people said,

“See how he goes

On that comfortable bed.”

But little could they

See the piercing thorns,

That bled his feet

As he braved on.

His mission was fueled

By work and alms,

Divine Providence

And many willing palms.

A hundred and fifty nine years

The Congregation has lived;

Beginning in a small room

With a few young men who believed.

And now the torch has passed

It’s us to keep the light alit;

As we commit our whole lives

To be worthy and share this gift.

Why I am still a Salesian

Why I am still a Salesian

By: Cl. Lawrance

            The day wakes you up with the gong; you wonder what’s wrong with the night. When reality hits you hard with the bright glow of the tube light, you realize acceptance is the only way out.

            Your body moves, not you and then dressed in white you head to revitalize and delight in the Lord’s company. The time with the Lord seems life infinity and the moment you are out noise rules the silent corridors.

            No sooner did you reach to break the fast, you see some already set in motion with the next schedule. One engaged in dusting the dust and another engrossed in wiping the tiles.

            Hop, skip, and jump, you are at the mighty entrance of the second home. The next peak hours you are there and no calamity can stop it. Your head is spinning, your heart is racing, your ears have turned deaf, your hands have lost direction, but your eyes are consistently fixed on the clock, hoping that the professor ends his philosophical talk at the stroke of the bell. Nevertheless, you realize the break is too small to fix any short circuit in your brain. A ‘Hi-Bye’ and then you are there once again to face the next inquisitor.

            “Philosophy done!” sighs your mind and with the hopes to train your body, you are off to play games. At first sight, you notice that a war has broken out on the football field. No excuse at hand to escape the misfortune, you have hesitantly entered the battlefield expecting to return back with fewer injuries. 

            With all plans you enter the study hour, you open the book and then slowly and eventually there is no distinction between you and the table. A silent nudge from your companion breaks your oneness with the table and reminds you that it’s time to give thanks to the Lord for the uncertain yet peaceful day. 

            And when you narrate all of this, to your friend on the other side of the fence, he adds, “It all seems like Holy madness.”

            Needless to say, with a confident smile you will reply, “That is why I’m still a Salesian.”

Don Bosco’s Healthy Tonic for the Soul

Don Bosco’s Healthy Tonic for the Soul

By: Cl. Samuel Augustine

            Life is simply meaningful when fully lived. It is wonderful because of sharing the gifts we possess from the core of our hearts. Happiness is a journey not a destination. This is the miracle of joy given to every created being. We should reciprocate such gifts to others freely because we have received them without any cost.

            Don Bosco’s healthy tonic for soul is the holy optimism and joy. He has used effectively this tonic to protect his youngsters from the confusing and delicate ideologies of his time. Joy is one of the characteristics of Salesians. At Valdocco, there reigned an atmosphere of family spirit. Don Bosco created a Christian life of cheerfulness and instilled in his boys that heavenly bliss; ‘here we make sanctity consists in being always cheerful… we try to fulfill our duties with exactitude and cultivate piety’. Knowing the beauty of life Don Bosco says, ‘being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It means you’ve decided to look beyond imperfection’. He guided Dominic Savio and other boys to attain the height of sanctity by his healthy tonic of holy joy. In the Biographical Memoirs Vol. II, DB said, ‘A day that fills the heart with remorse and fear of God’s judgment cannot be called a day of amusement’. He also often quotes the beautiful statement- ‘run, jump, shout, but do not sin’.

      

      St. Philip Neri whom Don Bosco has taken as a point of reference to healthy tonic for soul once said, ‘The world is funny and our sermons too must be funny’. He is known to give spiritual direction using unconventional ways to others. Once a man came to St. Philip and asks him if he thinks a hair shirt is a good penance. St. Philip replies that it will be better if he wears the hair shirt outside his nice clothes. He is the patron saint of humour and can become a powerful intercessor for all who feel let down and low.

            True joy comes from the Lord for it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Pope Francis in his first apostolic Exhortation ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ expresses this truth ‘the joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus.’ Prophet Nehemiah affirms this fact when he wrote ‘for the joy of the Lord is your strength’ (Nehemiah 8.10). To be cheerful is a choice and not a result. Life can be exasperated when we expect perfect results. On the other hand it will be a blessing and joyful when we see good in daily events of life. It is said to think less and feel more, talk less and listen more, fear less and love more to be happy.

            Don Bosco left this marvelous legacy to his sons, daughters and young friends. It is our responsibility to share this holy joy to others because Salesian spirituality is incomplete without the various expressions of joy. Don Bosco does not want his youngsters to be sad but wants warm heartedness within them. For Salesians, cheerfulness is the 11^th Commandment. With joy from the Lord, we shall be his bearers sharing this healthy tonic to all for ‘A cheerful heart is a good medicine’ (Proverbs. 17.22)

Ready Player One (Movie Review)

Ready Player One (Movie Review)

Coming from the book, Ready Player One, the movie shows the audience that humanity is reaching a new epoch, where except of bathroom needs and food we spend our whole lives in the virtual reality, Oasis. The engine generating this world is the brainchild of Mr. Halliday, an anti-social, introvert who finds solace in games. Thus he finally creates a game for everyone in the world. On this death he leaves behind an Easter Egg and three keys to that lead to the Egg. However the way to find the key is in his memories. Thus begins a race to find the Egg. The Egg hunters (Gunters as they call themselves) enter a series of adventures to find the keys. Parzival, the game name of Wacb, a young adult seeking to find the Egg and get his life set back. He finds friends and enemies the greatest being Sorrento, a businessman, heading a company of people manipulated in order to get the Egg for him. The search for the Egg results in Sorrento willing to kill his adversaries in the real world. The movie brings out the dryness of our real world because of human failure to take care of it and thus seeking solace in that which isn’t real. The movie shows the truth as to where we’re headed. There are many hidden links and connections to various games. The movie is recommended for all above the age of 13. However, only gamers will really enjoy it due to its hidden links to games.

Good Life according to Aristotle

During our Ethics seminar class, Fr. Ashley introduced us to live a good life through different philosophers from China and the West. The one great philosopher Aristotle also had a way to live a good life. He said that as human as we are all of us long to live a good life. To do so we are in search of the highest good, that is money, honour and pleasure. Aristotle says that all this good does not satisfy us fully. All these are not the way humans should go about since they are actually performed by animals. We are blessed with rationality and so we are obliged to use it.

The most important element that is necessary is contemplation and learning which we get through intellectual virtue through our experiences and also through certain principles. We all have attended schooling and during those days we gain lots of knowledge but we can’t put it into our practical life. To live a good life we need to put all our intellectual knowledge into our dealing with our practical reality.

To live a good life we require society. We can’t live an isolated life without society. It is society that transforms us. We take many resolutions and none of them are fulfilled but with other’s we are able to perform some of them. So the first responsibility of the state legislature is to help people to progress from bad to good. Therefore, at the end Aristotle said that the state should have the gift of rationality to guide the people of the state.

We need to use our rationality to decide what is good and bad and to make the right choices in order to live an authentic and a good life and to cultivate good habit.

Cl. Trevor Rodrigues SDB