Principles of Leadership and Right Living

 Some authors have proposed in their works a few principles for leadership.Some of these important writers are Stephen Covey, Jordan Peters and Bryan Robinson.

Stephen Covey and Seven Habits of Highly Effective People:

1.Be Proactive 2.Begin with the End in Mind. 3.Put First things First.

4.Think win-Win 5.Seek to understand 6, Synergy(team work,open mindedness, finding new solutions to old problems) 7. Sharpen the Saw.

Dr. Jordan Peters  and his 12 Rules

1.Stand up straight  with your shoulder bck 2.Treat yourself like somone you are responsible for helping.

3.Make friends with people who want the best for you.4.Compare youself to who you were yesterday, not to someone else who is today.

5.Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them.Be willing to postpone immediate gratificaton in the short 6.Set your house in perfect order befor eyou criticize the world.

7.Pursue what is meaningful(not what is expedient 8.Tell the truth--at least don't lie.

9.Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don't.

10.Be precise in your speech. 11. Do not bother children when they are skateboarding.

12.Pet a cat when  you encounter on the street.

Habits of Highly Resilient People-Bryan Robinson of North Carolina University

1.Grow a thick skin and expect rejection and setbacks.Commit yourself in advance to facing the many smack downs you will encounter like all happy people before you.

2.Ditch the desire for comfort and step into growing pains.Be willing to go to the edge of your emotional pain so you can be fully present with what lays beyond the barrier.

3.Be willing to postpone immediate gratification in the short term for the fulfillment of your goals in the long term.

4.Cultivate spring back sustainability .Think of yourself as an elastic band that bends and stretches  to a certain point before you spring back higher than you fall.

5.Refer to previous experience.reflect on past obstacles you have overcome in your climb.point to lessons learned and your personal resources and underscore ways you have grown stronger through past hard knocks.

6.Identify self-doubts that have cramped your work style or crippled you from growing fully.harness them--instead of running from them--and channel them into useful skills so they don't paralyze you. 

7.Stay off the roller coaster.Manage the ups and downs of life by treating the highs and lows of life equally.celebrate the highs but don't take them any more seriously than the lows and don't 'take smack downs any more seriously than upswings.

8.Eschew the what-the -hell effect.This attitude only adds insult to injury.Face letdowns by towel you want to throw in and use it wipe the sweat off your face then ask, what you can learn that will help you grow.

9.practice positive self-talk and optimism.Avoid negative put-downs and criticism.instead of bludgening yourself after a set back ,give yourself positive affirmations and encouragement to get back in the sadde.

10. Catch yourself when you fall.After a set back or discouraging situation , your motivation bouces abck quicker when you support yourself  with compassion .instead of kicking yourself when you are down , be on your own side , wish yourself well, and be your number one cheerleader as your progress in your goals.

How to sustain your resilience;

Once you have these habits in your hip pocket, the rest is up to you.You start to accept failure as an essential stepping stone to success, you give yourself permission to amke the mistakes necessary  to get where you want to go.

And every time you fail --instead of giving up--you do what every resilient person befor eyou  did: take the towel you want to throw in , wipe the sweat of your brow, and plot your next forward move.

Free laptop Distribution

 four laptops were distributed to deserving students.they were supplied by Jogy Paul.They were brought to the Ekm house the day after he promised to deliver them.Cardinal in the of the priests and the sisters

and the curia bishop distributed them to four deserving students selected by the four priests from here. they came with their parents.The pictures of the students and the audience are given below.

Eightieth Birthday celebration mass

 Eightieth Birthday celebrations were held with a mass in the morning at the chapel at Mt.St.Thomas.There were small write-ups in the Deepika and the Malayala Manorama. 80th is called "Ashiji" in Malayalam.The homily was preached by H.G.Mar Antony Kariyil.Cardinal and the Curia bishop were present for the mass.

Madathiparampil,Bio-Data

 

 Biographical Note on Rev .Fr. George Madathiparampil

 

 

Rev. Fr.George Madathiparampil had his primary school education at St.Michael’s School, Thathampally ,Alleppey and later his high school education at Leo X111 High School. While he was at high school, he represented the school as a delegate for the MCSL meeting at Kottayam. He joined the Minor Seminary at Parel, Changnacherry in 1956. H took his B.Sc. in Physics from St. Berchmans’ College in 1960 and then joined the Pontifical Seminary , Alwaye, in 1961 for his philosophical and theological studies. Took his B.D. from the Lateran University while studying at the Pontifical Seminary. He was ordained a priest of the Arch diocese of Changancherry by Archbishop Mar Matthew Kavukattu on Dec.18,1967. Immediately after the ordination, the Archbishop sent him for higher studies at St.Berchmans’ College, Changanacherry .

 

He was appointed a lecturer there in the Dept. of English in 1970. He was appointed the Chief Editor of the Jubilee souvenir of the college in I972.

After teaching at St.Berchmans’ college for six years, left for the United States in Dec.1976 for doctoral studies. He took a Master’s degree in American Literature from Indiana State University in 1978 . He was  appointed  a  Teaching Assistant in the Dept of English  and   also  the Associate Editor of the Black American Literature Forum of the University. In 1978, he joined the Catholic University of America, Washington D.C. for his Ph.D. in English Literature. He was appointed a Fellow of the Department of English and was given a teaching position.  He took his Ph.D. from there in 1981 and returned to  India to join the College. From 1981 onwards, he continued teaching at the Catholic University, Washington D.C.as a visiting Professor in the Dept of Comparative Literature.

During the years of study at the Indiana State University as well as at the Catholic University, he worked in the  Campus Ministry of both the Universities as one of their resident  Chaplains.

 

He was elected to the Priests’ Senate of the Archdiocese of Changancherry a few times and worked as the Treasurer of the Priests’ Provident Fund of the Archdiocese.

 

He taught at S.B. College for 26 years while holding several positions as a hostel warden, AICUF Chaplain, Editor of the college magazine, Bursar and Vice-Principal. He was also a member of the Senate and a member of the postgraduate Board of Studies of  M. G. University. He was also a research guide for doctoral students in English Literature and guided two teachers for Ph.D.

It was while he was serving as the Vice-Principal of the College that the President of India, Sri Zail Singh, visited the college. Fr. George and Fr. Maroor who was the Principal went to Delhi to invite the President to inaugurate the Silver Jubilee celebrations of post graduate courses at S.B.College. That was the first time that a President of India presided over a college function in Kerala.

 

Fr.George Madathiparampil was appointed the Principal of St. Berchmans’ College in 1991 and after a stint of 5years as the Principal , he retired in 1996.

 

Rev. George Madathiparampil, after his retirement from S.B.college , was appointed the Vicar General of St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago,U.S.A.  Before moving to Chicago, he  worked as the Associate Pastor at St. Patrick’s church, Washington D.C. and was also in charge of the Syro-Malabar Catholics of the Washington area.

 

When he was the Principal, he took the initiative of starting M.B.A. at St. Berchmans’ College. An interdisciplinary academic journal, “S.B. Academic Review” was started during that time. He was instrumental in establishing the Berchmans’ Institute of Computer Studies and the Berchmans’ Institute of Management Studies. While he was the Principal, he was successful in raising the college to a greater level of excellence in studies as well as in extra-curricular activities. The college bagged a lot of trophies in sports and games and became the University champions in sports for several years. The college had a successful period of accomplishments without any student strikes or disturbances. A large scale Science Exhibition and an  Arts Festival were conducted which drew thousands of students and parents to the campus. The Science Exhibition was inaugurated by the then Speaker of the Lok Sabha Mr. Sivaraj Patil.

 

It was while he was the Principal that the three –storied research Center was completed and  a new three-storied Business Management building was built.

Rev. Madathiparampil was elected the President of AIACHE, the national association of all the Christian colleges in India , in ‘93. He was the first Catholic Principal from Kerala to be elected the President of AIACHE(All India Association of Christian Higher Education) .

While he was the President, a lot of support was given to member colleges to start job-oriented courses. It was while he was the President of AIACHE that an International educational conference was held in New Delhi where all the major Christian educational agencies in America and Europe took part.

He was elected the President of the Principals’ Council of Kerala in ‘93. As the President of the Principals’ Council, he was successful in persuading the Govt. in starting job-oriented courses in colleges and made several representations to the Govt. to introduce autonomy in the colleges of Kerala.

 

Fr.Madathiparampil also worked as the Secretary of the Education Commission of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Conference under Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil. In that capacity, he brought together all those who worked in the Catholic educational field and organized several conferences on autonomy , minority -rights and job-oriented courses. It was while he was the Secretary that the Education Commission of the Bishops’ Conference that he persuaded the Nayanar Govt. to change its policy on the appointment of Principals in private colleges. Guide-lines for English medium schools run by the Catholic Church were published while he was the Secretary.

 

He worked as the Secretary of the Inter-Church Council for Education which was a committee consisting of the delegates from the major Christian denominations in Kerala to co-ordinate the educational policies of the various Christian Churches. He was actively involved in formulating the educational policies of the Christian Churches in Kerala. It was while he was the Secretary of the Inter-Church Council that the Council took the decision to close down all the educational institutions of the various Christian denominations for a day as a protest against the violence perpetrated against the nuns in Gajaurala,U.P.

 

Fr.Madathiparampil was also elected to the Executive Council of International Federation of Catholic Universities at their annual meeting in Toulouse in France in 19991 as a delegate from Asia. One of the meetings of the Executive Council was held at Changancherry under his leadership. The Presidents of major Catholic Universities in America , Europe,South America , Japan and Indonesia  participated in that meeting.

 

He was responsible in raising St. Berchmans’ College to a higher level of educational excellence. The significant achievements of the College in academic and extra- curricular fields earned for the college the Sankar Award,the most prestigious educational award of the State of Kerala, in 1996 and 1997.

 

After his retirement from St.Berchmans’ College, he taught at St.Thomas University, Miami , Florida for a year and then moved to Washington D.C. to do pastoral work in the Archdiocese of Washington and also to take care of the spiritual needs of the Syro-Malabar community there. He was instrumental in establishing the Syro-Malabar community in Washington D.C. when he was working as the Associate Pastor at St. Matthew’s  Cathedral  in 1978. It was while working there that he met the Holy Father and Mother Teresa when they visited Washington D.C.

 

Fr.Madathiparampil wrote numerous articles in the Deepika and  the Manorama on educational issues and has published  books “ The Prophecy in American Fiction” , “Recollections and Reflections” and “Christian Higher Education”, “Classics in Spirituality” ,” New Perspectives” and “Words on Fire”. His article on “The Convergence of Moral Vision in the Epics of India and Paradise Lost” was published in the Stanford Literary Review of the Stanford University.

While working in Washington, he gave a series of lectures in Washington D.C. under the auspices of St. Patrick’s church from 1997-2002 on various religious and literary authors and on Christian spirituality and mysticism. The Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian invited Fr. Madathiparampil to give a talk on St. Thomas Christians of Kerala.

 

As the Vicar General of the  Syro-Malabar Diocese of Chicago , he  travelled to various cities in the U.S., visiting parishes and motivating the people to come closer to the Syro-Malabar Rite. He was also then working as the Chief Editor of the Syro-Malabar News which was the official journal of the diocese.

 

After his return from the U.S., he was appointed the Secretary of Higher Education and the  Secretary of Public Affairs for the Syro-Malabar Church. In that capacity , he organized several meetings and conferences on issues related to  Catholic Higher  Education

He is presently working as the Joint Secretary of the Inter-Church Council at Mount St. Thomas, Kakkand,Kochi.

 

 

Parents:

 Late Mr.M.P.Joseph B.A.(Manager, State-Aided Bank of Travancore,Alleppey)

 Late Mrs.Annamma Joseph(Peedikayail,Edathua).

 

Parish;

St.Michael’s Church ,Thathampally,Alleppey.

 

 

Rev. George Madathiparampil

 

Secretary, Higher Education

Secretary, Public Affairs

Major Archiepiscopal Curia

Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad

Kochi-682 030

 

Date of Birth: Aug.22,1940

Ordination:Dec.18, 1967

 

Education:

 

Ph.D., The Catholic University of America, Washington D.C. 1981

 

M.A., Indiana State University, Indiana, U.S.A. 1978

 

M.A., The University of Kerala, 1970

 

B.D., Lateran University, Rome (St. Joseph’s

Pontifical College).1970

 

B.Sc.,The University of Kerala, 1960

 

Experience:

 

Pastoral:

Associate Pastor, St. Matthew’s Cathedral, Washington D.C.,1978-81

Associate Pastor, St. Patrick’s Church, Washington D.C.,1997-2002

 

 

Vicar General,

St. Thomas Syro-Malabar

Diocese of Chicago, 2001-11

 

Adviser, The committee for Ethnic Affairs, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops,2010-12

 

Academic

Teaching Assistant, Indiana State University, U.S.A.1977

Teaching Assistant, The Catholic University of America,U.S.A.,1978-81

 

Visiting Professor in the Dept. of Comparative Lit., The Catholic University of America, Washington D.C.,1983-91

 

Visiting Professor, St. Thomas University, Miami, Florida,1996-97

 

Principal (President), St. Berchmans’ College, 1991-96

 

Vice Principal, St. Berchmans’ College, 1986-91

 

Professor, Dept. of English, St.Berchmans’College,1970-96

 

President of the All India Association of Christian Higher Education, Delhi(AIIACHE),(consisting of  all the Christian  colleges of India),1993-96

 

President of the Council of the Principals of the Private Colleges of Kerala,1993-96

 

Secretary, The Education Commission of the Bishops Council of Kerala(KCBC), India, 1986-1996

Secretary, Inter-Church Council for Education, 1990-96

 

Member of the Executive Council of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU), Paris,1992-96

 

Research Guide, M.G. University

Member, PG Board of Studies, M. G. University

Member of the Senate, M. G. University

 

Books

 

Prophecy in American Fiction,1982

 

“Christian Contribution to Higher Education in India”,  by the International Federation of Catholic Universities, Jakarta, Indonesia.

 

Catholic Higher Education,2014

 

Reflection and Recollections,2015

 

New Perspectives,2016

 

Classics of Spirituality,2017

 

Articles

 

Convergence of Visions: A Comparative Study of Indian Epics and the Paradise Lost, Stanford Literary Review, Stanford University, 1993.

 

Papers Presented:

 

“Ethnicity, Multi-Culturalism and Integration” International Seminar, Jerusalem,1994

“The Roots of Asian Spirituality,” The Asian –Pacific Seminar, Fordham University,N.Y.2009

“Causes of Poverty and Unemployment”, Symposium, Conference of the Rectors of the Universities, Rome, 2000

 

“Immigrants and the Challenges to the Faith”, Eucharistic Congress of  the  Archdiocese of Washington D.C., Washington D.C.,2000

“Indian Christianity, Seminar on Eastern Religions, Smithsonian Museum, Washington D.C., 1999

 

International Conference on Peace on Oct.2

 

                Social Justice and Academy

 

Thank you very much , Fr. Kuriakose, for inviting me to share a few of my thoughts on social justice and academy in this session. On this day when one commemorates the life of Mahatma Gandhi, it is very appropriate for us  to reflect on the different dimensions of justice  to preserve peace in the world.

The world is experiencing all kinds of turbulence and tremors every year. This year, we are passing through an unbelievable period of crisis and tragedy. More than a million people have lost their lives in the last few months because of Covid-19.

In this time of great loss of lives and suffering,  our hearts have to turn to the creation of peace in our hearts and in our neighborhoods.

At this time  when most of schools, colleges and universities remain closed all over the world, the young are experiencing an unbelievable crisis in their lives---their future becoming uncertain and their hopes dashed to the ground.

 In spite of this dire situation, we have to devise ways of sustaining the richness of our lives through our educational institutions.

Our institutions should continue to function as beacons of hope and peace and not as agents of destruction and dissension. I am reminded, at this moment,  of the words of Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru , the architect of modern India, in his convocation address at Allahabad University in 1947: “ A university stands for humanism, for tolerance, for reason, for progress, for the adventure of ideas and for the search for truth.”

There should be freedom for expression and tolerance for the views of others in the hallowed halls of  our educational institutions which are engaged in the pursuit of truth. Without the presence of truth, there will be no peace. We would be experiencing fragmentation and confusion, instead. Unexpressed feelings and thoughts become explosive and result in violent actions if they are not discussed in an atmosphere of dialogue and openness.

As Gandhi has taught us, “we have to speak truth and live or move in dharma(Satyam Vada,dharmam chara).

Cardinal Newman also emphasizes the need to convey eternal values through our educational systems. According to him, “It is education which gives a man a clear conscious view of his own opinions and judgments, a truth in developing them, an eloquence in expressing them and a force in urging them.” He wants an underpinning of philosophical and theological training for education in order that the young minds may get the ability to think clearly and to see everything in relationships.

Thomas Friedman in his book, ”That Used to be Us” speaks of the need to have a new vision for education  which consists in developing three Cs—Creativity, Communication and Collaboration. He sees collaboration and communication as necessary elements for the development of creativity.

Our academic institutions should not forget the economically marginalized and deprived. The poor in our society should be encouraged and motivated to join the mainstream and attain all that is possible within their reach. Education should become a leveling force, bridging the gap between the poor and the rich. It should provide an anchor for stability and unity.

The economically poor should be given special consideration and motivation so that they don’t feel discarded or rejected in this march for progress. Facilities for education should be available to all.

But there is a vital deficiency in our educational system. In our extreme eagerness to be the best in everything, we forget to give the young moral formation and help them to develop character and discipline. In spite of the tremendous progress we have achieved in science and technology, there is an exponential increase in violence. Children, girls and women are attached and their lives snuffed out. Gandhi does not any feel any diffidence in pointing out this lapse in our educational philosophy: an education which does not teach us to discriminate between good and bad , to assimilate the one and eschew the other is a misnomer.

Education , hence should transform and humanize us and should become a transmitter of values that would help the young to become people of character as well as of knowledge.

Sir Richard Livingston, the former Vice-chancellor of Oxford University spoke of the function of education as enhanced awareness of life. Education hence is meant to transform and humanize us so that we become transmitters of values that would make us people of character as well as of knowledge.

Thank you for being Late

"Thank you for being Late" is an interesting book by Thomas L.Friedman where he emphasizes the role of the community or of  the family as the anchor for stabilizing a person's life in this age of speedy changes or the age of accelerations .This book came about from his accidental encounter with a parking garage attendant and spending time with him to get to know about his views on current affairs as well as of  Ethiopia, his native country. Although he was late because of this chance meeting with the attendant, it produced the birth of this book which is a reflection on  contemporary malaise.Hence, it is thanks for being late. We don't have to hurry.We can spend time with  people which will definitely bring unexpected benefits in our life. 

According to the author, the three forces that control the planet, technology, globalization and climate change are all accelerating at once. Because of this, many aspects of our societies, workplaces and geopolitics need to be re-imagined.

The anniversary of Sept.11,2001

Today is the anniversary of the Sept.11, tragedy. I was at St.Patrick's church on that morning. I was thinking of going to Southern Maryland with Fr.John S.J. in the morning  but then someone mentioned immediately after breakfast to look at the TV.There we saw the twin world towers in flames and all the news reports about the hijacked planes hitting at the towers. A little while  later, the Pentagon was attacked.All of a sudden,Washington DC became a ghost town , with people exiting from offices and shops and rushing home.I took Fr.John to Georgetown and when I returned I found that the parking place was locked and the police guarding all the places near our church.But then the police opened the doors of the garage and I could park the car there. But the  stillness of the town is still in my memory. The tragedy of losing the lives of more than 4000 people is an unforgettable  sad event.Until that time, America was free and open for any one to enter any building and walk around any place.Those Islamic  terrorists took away the magnificent freedom the people enjoyed in the U.S.

Today I said the mass in the morning at the chapel. Fr.Pittapally and Fr. Tholanical con- celebrated with me.Hence the mass went well and I gave a short homily on today's Gospel where Jesus speaks about the need to interpret the signs and take suitable action in our  lives.

I hope and pray that 

God will bless me to lead a life faithful to  His teachings. 

Release of the book on the 80th Birthday

 The booklet written by Tony Chittilappally  on my 80th birthday which falls tomorrow was released by the Cardinal by giving a copy to Abp. Antony Kariyil. Curia bishop Mar Sebastian and all other priests were present.The book was received well.
 Tomorrow, by the grace of God, I will be 

celebrating my 80th birthday. It is a time to thank the Lord for His blessings on my life.To pass through life so long is itself a great and unbelievable gift.Nothing more is needed in my life. I have been to many institutions and different countries and was successful in whatever ministry I was assigned to.What more can I expect from the Lord? His mercy and kindness kept me safe and sound. He gave me all that I needed in life:good education, family , friends and loving and caring parents.Lord, thank You for your blessings.
Tomorrow the Cardinal, the bishops and the priests will join with me for the mass.

Letters to a young Catholic by George Weigel

This is a beautiful book that deals with the faith and beliefs of Catholics through the lens of the author's visits to several culturally and religiously important places in the Christian world.He wants the young  who are growing up in a world of skepticism and lack of commitment to understand the beauty and magnificence of their Catholic faith.
Through the lives of great saints and writers like Chesterton,Newman,Edith Stein, John Paul 11 and through  great Cathedrals like Chartres and educational centers like the University of Cambridge , he explains the meaning, relevance and the beauty of the Catholic faith.

In the first chapter, he explains the basis of his approach: "Catholicism is  an optic, a way of seeing things, a distinctive perception of reality."According to him, the real Catholic difference consists in a way of seeing the world.He explains the the meaning of this approach by using the novels  and short stories of Flannery O'Connor, the great American novelist and short story writer. O'Connor, he says has the "habit of being" , "a spiritual sensibility which allows us to experience the world not as one damn thing after another , but as the dramatic arena of creation, sins, redemption  and sanctification."

Speaking of Mary's role in our life, he wants us to adopt the heroism of the  Bl.Virgin Mary which was shown in her fiat to God's will. He adds : " Don't look for an exit strategy .Live in trust, not in calculation.Stake everything on Christ."

In the chapter on Newman, he speaks of Newman's fight against the liberalism of the 19th c and compares his work with that of St.Edith Stein, the Carmelite nun who was martyred for her faith by the Nazis. He decries the emptiness of liberals and underlines the need for strong convictions and beliefs. He points out that traditional religious congregations are thriving while those who have followed the modern liberal thinking are dwindling in membership. The chapter on Chartres Cathedral offers him an opportunity to discus the relationship between payer and beauty.According to him,"Chartres is stone and glass into which have been poured the obedience of faith and  passionate , transforming love for Christ, for Mary, for the world, and for the beauty of the human. The result is what its builders imagined it to be --an antechamber to heaven." He waxes eloquent on the Gothic style of architecture : "The Gothic creates a sense of suspension, of floating in space...the Gothic manages to combine the majestic and the personal in ways that other styles don't quite match." " You can't really understand the fantastic burst of creativity that resulted in the great Gothic cathedrals without wrestling with that fact; people were quite convinced that they were preparing a guest room,so to speak, for Christ himself. That was a powerful spur to energy,creativity,and generosity."

Speaking of the importance of beauty in our religious life, he notes that " beautiful things and beautiful music draw us out of our senses  into an encounter with a truth that is beyond us,yet accessible to our senses.
"Beauty is an invitation to pray.God asks us to drink at the wellsprings of beauty here and now in order to drink ,finally, of his own ineffable and inexpressible and inexhaustible beauty in the new Jerusalem."
Vising the King's chapel at Cambridge University and listening to its choir he felt the absence of the presence of God there since the University has become highly secular , having lost its original Christian inspiration.He calls such churches which has become de-Christianized  as "basilicas of the real absence."

Surgery

My cataract surgery was on June 15th and by the grace of God everything went smoothly. I was out of the hospital within an hour. But then I had a five days of rest where every two hours the drops of medicine had to be put into my eyes. I have to report to the doctor on June 29th.I have to thank the Lord for His blessing during this time when especially everything was under tight control because of the pandemic. I have to spend my days in prayer and thanksgiving. What more is there to be received from the overwhelming generosity of God! I have to be happy and satisfied; for his generosity knows no bounds.

I am now reading a book called the Book of Mistakes. It is narrating seven mistakes that people make in their lives through a novel- type of story. I will start with Mistake No.3 which is accepting excuses. Here is the summary of that chapter:

Mistake: 3

Avoid people who encourage excuses. When we learn to overcome  excuses that are preventing our progress, we begin an almost magical process of growth. Behind every excuse , there is a door to greatness. People not going anywhere encourage excuses. Shift the energy and creativity from creating excuses to achieving goals. Guard your inner voice like you would your most precious treasure. Excuses cannot withstand positive self-talk. If you want to take your life back , take your thoughts back.

Mistake No 2

Allowing someone to define your value.
Let nothing come between you and your purpose
Don't accept the limitations others put on you.
Know your inherent value. Enormous power is possible when you give permission to be true to yourself.

Mistake No.1:

Working on Someone Else's Dream
Don't act out a part cast by someone else. You are the casting agent of your life's purpose. A life choreographed by someone else is not our finest performance. Your purpose is unique. Design your life to fulfill your purpose. Don't be an unwitting participant in someone else's plan.
Be the hero of your story ,not a minor character in someone else's. Determine who you want to be, not what you want to do.

Mistake No .4
Surrounding yourself with the wrong people

Your friends  determine your fate
Replace naysayers, doubters, and energy drainers with encouragers, winners, and motivators.
Remove people from your life who consistently drain your energy. Surround yourself with the people who will help you to achieve your purpose.

Palm Sunday,April 5,2020

This Palm Sunday , everything looks different. The whole world is under the vicious impact of the corona virus.So many thousands have lost their lives.All the advances of medicine and of technology are of no help.All of a sudden all the accomplishments of man look silly and insignificant before this virus whose fast dissemination knows no boundaries.What has taken place in a small village in China has now engulfed the world.Someone can ask where  the power of modern military warfare or  of modern technology did go.In this dark hour, we remember the darkest days in the life of Jesus beginning with the Palm Sunday.But Jesus rose over the death and proved that He is the Lord of the Universe through his Resurrection.He is calling us to be part of His life and never to be afraid of death or sickness.What is important is our resolve to remain close to Him.
Lord, save us and save the universe. May we be privileged to sing Hosanna for your triumphal entry into the world of mankind.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Palm Sunday,March28,10

Palm Sunday,Mar.28,10

(Mt.21:1-17)

Today we celebrate the Palm the Sunday, the gateway to the Holy Week, to the week of celebration of the Passion, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This day calls us to a deeper reflection on the significance of the great events of the history of our Salvation.

In 1980, Archbishop Romero of El Salvador spoke of his mission to his people by saying that the harvest comes because of the grain that dies. Immediately after the sermon with those words, as he was celebrating the mass, holding the Body of Jesus in his hands, he was shot dead and his blood got mixed with the Body of Jesus. His life was sacrificed for the people entrusted to him. Sacrifice brings life and hope.

Today Jesus reminds us of the great sacrifice He has made and of the outpouring of the abundance of life –eternal life—for all through the sacrifice of His life.

Fulfilling of the prophecy made by the Prophet Zechariah, Jesus rode on a donkey, indicating that he was no earthly king, but a person of peace. He rode into Jerusalem and the people acclaimed him with shouts of joy .Garments and branches of trees were spread on the street and people shouted “ Hosanna to the Son of David.”(Psalm,118,25) .

Jesus entered the temple, and as today’s Gospel describes, he cleansed the temple and cured the many who were sick and suffering.

This was a decisive moment in his life. He made the crucial decision to walk the path of suffering. He knew these shouts of acclamation would disappear and they would clamor for his blood. What is important is the obedience to the Will of His heavenly Father.

Palm Sunday is in fact the celebration of his obedience to the Will of the Father.

The suffering and death of Jesus turn everything upside down. The power of death is shattered forever. The cross, instead of becoming a sign of derision, has become a symbol of hope and joy.

The outstretched hands of Jesus on the Cross are the hands that offer us comfort and healing.

The cross is our symbol of hope and peace. It reminds us of the life after death and makes our life here on earth meaningful. Our tragedies and our pains don’t go unanswered. They will be transformed by the power of the cross into sources of grace for us.

The cross is a constant reassurance of God’s continuing love for us. In spite of our sins and failures, God’s love reaches out to us and reminds us that it is for us that He died to give us hope. It is a reminder that we will never be abandoned.

Let this Holy Week be an occasion for us to feel that once we carry the cross of our life with him on our side, our steps will not falter and He will be there to hold us in His arms.

Henry Nouwen gives his thoughts on the the Palm Sunday by reflecting on a painting "Christ on a Donkey" kept in the Augustiner museum in Freiburg. There in the painting, Nouwen sees the face of Jesus ruminating on "the agonizing journey of betrayal, torture, crucifixion and death."  "Above all there is love, an endless,deep and far reaching love born from an unbreakable intimacy with God and reaching out to all people ,wherever they are,were, or will be .There is nothing that He does not fully know.There is nobody whom he does not fully love." "Every time I look at this Christ on the donkey, I am reminded again that I am seen by him with all my sins, guilt, and shame and loved with all his forgiveness, mercy and compassion."

Thank you-20

Thank you.20
March 22,Sunday
Today is the stay at home day requested by the Prime Minister. All the people in India have to stay indoors today in order to prevent the spread of the  corona virus.Many of the States in India, including Kerala, have asked the people not to make any forays outside their homes. Social distancing is asked for.No more people are allowed to gather  in numbers more than ten.All over America too, similar restrictions are in force.Europe has become the epicenter of the pandemic with Italy and Spain experiencing more deaths daily.Masses are cancelled for the public and people are asked to stay indoors and offer prayers.
This is the time for us to raise our hearts to God to ask him to stop the spread of this deadly disease.Modern medicine and the helps of technology are of no use now.Against this new virus , nothing is helpful.There is an eerie silence all over the world.People are dissuaded from traveling and planes are not allowed to land at International airports.
Today I read from Mathew's(Ch.24) Gospel about Jesus' warning about the end of the world.Those words seem to  be very appropriate for today's world.The key word that is being emphasized is , “Be prepared”.This is  the time for me to spend  time in prayer, asking the Lord for forgiveness not only for my sins but  also for the sins of the world.I have to ask Him to save the world and drive away the pandemic from the face of the earth.
We have to depend on the mercy of God and not to worry about our sins.We should never doubt the forgiveness of the Lord.
The words of Nouwen are very comforting :
 “Our temptation is to be so impressed by our sins and failings and so overwhelmed by our lack of generosity that we get stuck in a paralyzing guilt.It is the guilt that says,' I am too sinful to deserve God's mercy...it is the guilt that has become an idol and therefore a form of pride.Lent is the time to break  this idol and to direct our attention to our loving Lord.'
A life of faith is a life of gratitude... a truly Eucharistic life means always saying thanks to God, always praising God,and always being surprised by the abundance of God's goodness and love. It is a joyful life.There gratitude is joy and joy is gratitude and everything becomes a surprising sign of God's presence.”
March 24,Tuesday
 Kerala is in a total lock down from midnight. No public transportation, no movement except for emergencies,closing of shops except the pharmacies---is what is happening now.I will not be going anywhere.I have the books .Will read and take notes.Use my time well.This is the time for prayers and getting closer to the Lord.
The world is caught in a big tragedy, unbelievable and irremediable.Nobody has any solution.The impact is felt all  over the world . People are told to confine themselves at home in seclusion.
Lord, have mercy on your people.Stop the spread of the virus.Cure all those who are caught in this disease.Help me to grow closer to you.
Mt 21: 22.  'Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.'
March 26,Thursday
Yesterday was the first day of the lock down of India as per the order of the Prime Minister that came into force on March 24 midnight.All air transport, rail and bus travel were cancelled and people were told to stay confined to their homes.No non-emergency trips were allowed.All cars and other vehicles are told to be off the road.The hope is that the virus would not spread in the society.We hope and pray that it won't spread.
Trying to spend my time in reading and prayers.The lock down is for 21 days which means that it would go beyond the Easter.We will take it in good spirit and continue to offer prayers for the disappearance of the virus. I have been watching Fr.Dave's on line mass and rosary from the Little Flower Church, Toledo,Ohio.Dave is doing a very good pastoral ministry.I see his total dedication and whole-hearted commitment.Very inspiring. He is available to his people with tenderness  and deep faith.I have to follow his path of dedication.What is important is the deep attachment to Jesus. Nothing else matters much.
Thank you Lord for your blessings.Lord, save your people all over the world.Strike at the root of the pandemic.
 The lock down in India is not perfect as many people in different states come out in public disregarding the warnings from the police.The international press is showing the physical punishments and beatings that are imposed on  people.I am confined to my room but got time to do the Stations of the Cross and to say the Ramsa. I have to be careful with regard to  keeping all the precautions that are to be taken.
March 27,Friday
The third day in the All India lock down.There is no sign of lessening of the contagion.More people are affected.The US is also getting affected faster.They should have prepared themselves a long time  ago by screening airline passengers.Now it is all over the country.
 I don't feel bored since I have the internet,computers, facilities for saying mass, materials for reading etc. I was reading a book on Business Organization from a link sent by Jojo. Taking notes on Leadership extensively described in the book.Today I will focus on Communication  and the basic concepts in OB.

The Gospel for today's meditation was Mt.27, the Crucifixion of Jesus.The passage describes the mockery that Jesus received and the cruelty that he endured.It is this Jesus that I and all the priests are called to imitate.How different are our lives from that of Jesus.We revel in honor,glory , power and comforts.O Lord, forgive me.I am so unworthy of your call.Thank you for the blessings given to me. I am not worthy ,Lord.
 The Cardinal called to let me know that Bhavuk passed away a couple of hours ago.He was very active in the parish and did everything for the parish.Dedicated his time and energy for the community but later out of some misunderstanding, he was kept aloof from the parish by the Pastor.It was a devastating blow in his life.I just spoke to Amal who is a doctor at Lissie and got more details of his sickness.God bless Bhavuk.
March 29,Sunday
Second Sunday in lock down.The majority of the people follow the dictates of the Govt. but some because of one reason or another appear on the roads.The police prevent them from moving.I hope something good will come out of this strict lock down.The virus is spreading fast in the US which is very distressing.People do not pay much attention to all the warnings and they gather together in crowds at different places.The President is releasing a big bail out to corporations and individuals.Each individual tax payer is being given $1200.
March 30,Monday.
One day more for March to be over.We are in the week just before Easter.Next Sunday is the Palm Sunday.All will be celebrating the Day in their homes, alone and not in the fellowship of the community.It is an opportunity for us to revivify our faith and to make a new commitment in the solitude of our lives.It offers us an opportunity to establish a deeper union with the Lord.What is required is a deep prayer from each one for the whole world asking the Lord to protect us in this time of great tribulation and debilitation. Lord, have mercy on us.Save your people all over the world.
I was reading from the Gospel of Mark the cure of the blind man by Jesus.His heart-rending cry flies from the pages of the Gospel: "Lord, have mercy on me."I should also cry like Bartimeus. He represents me in my personal life.As he cried , I should also cry and I am sure Jesus will hear my cry as he heard his.I should feel comforted by this miracle, knowing that Jesus will never forsake me and that he would come to my aid.Thank you Jesus for your love.There is a prayer that I read today from Nouwen that is very touching in his meditation on Monday in the second week of Lent.
 “I wanted Easter to be a day full of light that not even a trace of darkness would be left in my soul.But I know that you do not come to your people with thunder and lightning.Even St. Paul and St .Francis walked through much darkness before they could see your light.Let me be thankful to your gentle way.I know you are at work.I know you will not leave me alone.I know you are quickening me for Easter--but in a way fitting to my own history and my own temperament....Let me die to the desire to choose my own way and select my own cross...Be with me tomorrow and in the days to come and let me experience your gentle presence.”

Thank you- 19

Thank you-19
Feb.21,Friday
Today is a holiday here because of Siva Ratri and I did not know that.I am here at Xime but will be going to the Mount for lunch. Next Monday is Ash Monday and I may have to stay at the Mount on Sunday evening.
Yesterday,I was at the Mount for supper as there was a farewell dinner for the CMI priests
  Everyone wants "yes" persons.I am not that type. Whatever I got is just by the grace of God. Of course, Archbishop Kavukatt sent me for higher studies and that paved the way for all the leadership positions. Thank you,Lord, for the blessing and I am happy with what I have done. Of course, there were failures and great lapses.I depend on the Lord for his mercy and compassion.
 Abp.Powathil , after all, in spite of all the mental difficulties he had, did give me the appointment
order as the principal. That was enough for me to develop all my talents.
Thank you, Lord. Lift the burden from my heart. I don't want anything. What you gave me is sufficient and more.
Feb.23,Sunday
I am down with diarrhoea as I ate something that was not hot on Friday evening—clam meat—and that upset my stomach. Yesterday, I went to the Mount and had bowel movements several times. Today too. I called Santosh and he told me to take tablets and drink coconut water or lemon-water with salt and a little bit of sugar.I don't see any changes. I had more than five times bowel movements. I hope it will disappear.My Lord is with me and he will take away the burden of sickness.Others are suffering much more. Tomorrow, I will take  Karikin  vellam,Today, I thought of going to the Mount for the Ash Monday ceremony.But I am not going.I will take rest tomorrow and day after.Lord, thank you for your love.
Feb 26,Wednesday
Today is Ash Wednesday.I am still staying at home.I was here on Monday and Tuesday. Yesterday,went to Dr.Puthooran and he examined me and wrote prescriptions.I feel better now even though I have taken the tablets only once.
He went through the medical reports and was satisfied with it.
Lord, thank you for your kindness and mercy.
Fr.Punchayil called yesterday about his brother's death.
Feb.27,Thursday
Thank you Lord for your kindness in saving me from the distressing stomach trouble. Dr.Puthuran's medicine helped me and there is no loose movement.
I had a meeting with Mr.Abraham Kurien and Mr.Sherin, the trainer.It was a cordial meeting.
I have to cooperate with them to make their ventures successful.I am satisfied with the arrangements I am provided with and hence I should not show any lack of cooperation.
I have to deepen my relationship with the Lord.I have to pray hard. There is nothing else I can do. The Lord has saved me from this sickness which really devastated me. I have to use all my time for the Lord.The Lord is my life and strength. Thuruthumaly is one I thought I could share my thoughts with. But he is in heaven. He was in such a situation that there was no possibility of sharing anything with him.
Lord, have mercy on me. Be my guard and protector.Forgive my sins.Pour your mercy over me and cover me with your forgiveness.
Feb.28,Friday
Went to Xime and remained there until morning and left for lunch at the Mount. Met the Cardinal at the lunch.
Febr.28, Saturday.
In today's Gospel-- read about the healing of the paralytic by Jesus.I prayed for Jesus' healing in my life. Today , will spend more time in adoration at the chapel. Saturdays should be special days of prayers.This is a golden chance given by Jesus. It is no more readings but prayers that are needed in my life. Lord, heal me as you healed the paralytic.You forgave his sins. Forgive my sins.
The Cardinal gave a small booklet on wages by the Acton Institute.Will go through it slowly.
.
Lord, thank you for your blessings.
March 3,Tuesday
  Made an appointment with Giridhar on Wednesday at 3pm.
Talked with Fr.Joy Pala..,Fr.Muppara,Fr.Tomy Padinjareve..etc.They are doing Ok. I have to use my time well. I am reading a book”From fire by water” by an Iranian who became a Catholic(Sohrab Ahmari). Will also complete the blogs from my old posts of Thank You notes.
I have to spend my time in prayer and reflect on the passages I read from the Bible.Just now I read psalms 59,51,52 where the psalmist seeks for protection against enemies from the Lord. I have to seek protection from my temptations and my failures.I have to depend on the mercy of the Lord.I am so despicable and wretched. Lord, wash me clean from my sins.I am nearing eighty and there is not much time left for me.I have to live here worthy of the Lord. Whatever time I have here should be used to express my love for the Lord.You have given me enough for my life.I have to live in peace and joy and work for the Lord.I need nothing from anybody.I don't need any body's support.Only one person's support is all that is needed.That of my Lord Jesus.I have to improve my talents and knowledge to make people know how loving , forgiving is the Lord. Thank you, Lord, for this grace to deepen my love for you.
March 5,Thursday
Yesterday, participated in the group discussion and the interview for the new candidates.In the afternoon, went to the Giridhar to test my right eye . I was sitting there more than an hour undergoing the tests.Dr.Saikumar examined and said that I would have to fix a date for the surgery. They were ready to do it immediately. I preferred date after April 12th.April 18th is chosen for the surgery. Lord, help me and be with me as I go through the steps needed for the surgery.
I have to do this because I am losing my vision on the right eye.This is part of the ageing process. If I don't do this, then, right  eye will become useless.
I have to cooperate with XIME totally and do everything possible for the success of their different programs.
March 6, Friday
Came to Xime as the Mount is being painted. Last night , I was there in the evening just for the retreat. Left for Ekm at 7.30 after my confession and a short quick supper.
I am at my office here and Biju would be coming late as he would be taking them to Thodupuzha.The AC is not functioning now and they will repair it tomorrow. It is hot and steamy inside.I am thankful to the Lord for the opportunities given to me until now. I have to work for the Lord and keep his name alive and aloud in my life. Now I am getting prepared for the next phase of the surgery.I have to get the medical situation under control.My right eye has almost lost its vision.If I had not done the surgery on the left eye , I would be totally visionless now.
Lord, bless me and keep me under your protection.Why should I seek anybody's protection and consideration now?I have to keep silent and calm , knowing that the Lord is with me.
March 8,Sunday
Yesterday, went to the Mount and I was told that there would be a  party for the retiring Major Seminary Rectors.Stayed there and left around 9.30 pm.Gave a ride to Fr.Ainiyadan to the Abp's house on my way back.It was a small affair but arranged well. They cleaned my room on Saturday while I was there.Today, being Sunday , I stayed at home.Said mass at the monastery.Nothing else was done except reading Babukutty's novel.It has a good way of development.Also watched a movie on Chromecast called Decision—how a grieving mother and son were brought  to the faith and a good understanding of the words of Jesus.
I have just found the port for charging the video camera. I have to write down notes on its use.

It is now at 12 midnight.I thank the Lord for all the graces he had given me. Lord, thank you and I offer this night and sleep to you.Take care of me.
March 10, Tuesday
I am in my room at XIME. Had a long chat with Abraham Kurien. Called Babukutty and told him that his novel was very good. I read it without any boredom in a couple of days.His writing style is simple and at the same time graphic and gripping. Was able to go deep into the lives of the tribals and their culture. The hero of the novel is a Kumar, a pseudo-doctor who learned some lessons in alternative medicine from Calcutta.
Will continue reading the autobiography of Sohrab.Will call SBI tomorrow.Called Jogy this morning and told him that I won't be coming although I wanted to come.
Will send a congratulatory note to Reba.
March 11,Wednesday
At XIME.Nothing extraordinary. Will spend a few hours reading.
March12,Thursday
Francis Chacko's nephew passed away;funeral tomorrow. Started reading “Fire by Water.” The majority of the students left for their homes and a few –about 15—remain here. I have to use the time for reading more on Ethics.
I am not sure whether the Leadership courses could be held this year because of the coronavirus.Schools and colleges in Kerala are closed until March 31st. International travel restrictions are enforced by India until April 15th.
Today in the gospels, I read about the teaching of Jesus on forgiveness.I have to deepen my understanding of forgiveness and practice it. I have to accept that God is also offering me forgiveness. Read a few of the psalms from 105 onwards, praising the Lord for his mercy and compassion.
March 17,Tuesday
Today is St.Patrick's day ---This was a big day when I was at St.Patrick's ,D.C. Now, I think most of the celebrations would be cancelled because o the Corona virus. America has introduced stringent travel restrictions.All over the world, the baneful impact of the virus is felt. All are discouraged from travelling and from being part of a crowd. Last evening I had a severe bout of allergy. This morning, it looks like that it has subsided. Today I would be staying here at EKM because Biju has to take his wife to the hospital. I will work on my scriptural reflections notes.
Today from the Gospel, read the words of Jesus : What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul. I have to think of my eternal salvation.That is the most important thing. I have to live by the words of Jesus—forgiving, repenting and merciful. Jesus should be the focus of my life.
Y
March 19,Thursday
Yesterday afternoon, went to the Mount as the Cardinal wanted to meet me.I met him around 5p.m.
The feast of St.Joseph was celebrated last night and I was there for the dinner.Returned to Ekm after dinner.Johnachan asked me not to go anywhere but to stay at home. I think I should follow the advice.Will do some reading.
The Corona virus is spreading in India and all are asked to be cautious.I too have to take precautions.I won't visit any one or talk to any one .
March 21,Saturday
Staying at home.Bought two shirts through Biju.Allowed him to go.Will meet him on Monday.Sunday is the all India stay at home on account of the Prime Minister.