Solitary Soul

THE ‘CHILD’ WITHIN! Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             One of the classic gospel passages that highlights the importance of being a child is found in Luke 18: 15 -17. A child is one who is open and innocent. There is no malice or guile found in a child. It does not think or worry about how to manipulate, exploit or extract sources for the wrong reasons. It is for this reason, therefore, that each child is an image of God.             In the world that we live in that has, so to say, been marred by the fast – paced life, everything that a person does, is geared towards how much “I” can get from it. Thus, in this case, the “I” or the “ego” becomes dominant. In a child, this is not the case. He or she is always open and is therefore ready to adjust.             ‘Play’ is an important aspect in a child’s life. I...

RESPONDING TO THE VOICE OF GOD Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             Our Lord Jesus, whose food and drink, was to do the Father’s will, faced the fear of death at the Garden of Gethsemane. Yet He freely responded to the Father: “….. if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let Your will be done, not mine.” (Luke 22: 42 – 43)             In our experience of living obedience in freedom, we are bound to meet situations in which, like Jesus, we are asked to do things that do not seem agreeable from our point of view. Despite the response, we can choose to accept the situation and search for the possibilities it holds. Moreover, we can place our choice in the wider perspective of Christ’s acceptance of His Father’s will even unto death.             A delicate sense of hearing is required to c...

SPIRITUAL GROWTH Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB It’s quite easy to make pious prayers or suggestions in a Church and then come out and have a fight or an argument with someone. If such was the case, would one call this ‘spirituality’ ? Obviously not! Spirituality involves consistency. However, consistency in this sense does not mean that if ever one fell from grace, then that would be the end of one’s spiritual journey. Not at all! We can always come to our Lord and Master who is ever loving and merciful. Yet what are some of the indications that one can see if he or she is moving along the right track of spiritual growth? In the first place, growth is not something that can be seen but it is taking place all the time. At the start of each new season, a mother stores the clothing worn in the summer or fall and then brings out items for the season at hand. She exclaims with dismay that last season’s clothing does not fit the children anymore. Yet she was scarcely aware of how much ...

“Presence” as an important prerequisite in the “Preventive System” Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             Don Bosco, the founder of the Salesian Congregation who struggled to educate himself due to financial difficulties and other problems at home was himself a great educator. He never had any formal course on education. In fact, he was from a very poor background. His father died when he was just two years old. Life was hard but there was peace in the family. However, he would always get into an argument with his eldest brother, Anthony and so in order to put an end to it he was asked to leave the family. I would not want to go into the details of his life but this is just to show that he who himself was without a father would one day become the father and friend of many poor and abandoned youngsters from the streets of Turin.                  ...

SPIRITUAL GROWTH – PART 2 Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             It is interesting to note that the growth of a plant does not depend on the planting of the seed alone. There are many other factors that are equally important as well. For just as a plant blooms in those conditions that are made favourable for its growth, so does the same thing apply in the growth of one’s spirituality. A person begins to bloom spiritually when he is able to pray, reflect and meditate. By doing so, he will be able to create that ‘journey within’ and hence will be able to live in a way that God wants him to live. 

REFLECTIVE MEDITATION Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             The word ‘reflect’ means to go back or to revert back like for instance, when I see myself in the mirror, the image on the mirror comes back to me or if I look at myself in the water or in a pond, the reflection of the image on the water comes back to me. A similar thing happens in the spiritual realm where over here reflection means to go back or to look within one’s self.             Meditations will not solve our problems; it won’t free us form the monotony of daily chores or make our bad habits disappear all at once. But it will help us face each new day with renewed faith and vigour. In a time of decision, it encourages us to discover who we are and to discern what God is asking of us. If we are able to reflect on the words of the Gospels in a meditative way, we will hear more personally Christ’s message ...

REAL ENCOUNTER VS VIRTUAL ENCOUNTER Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             In the old days, things were not so highly sophisticated, as it is now. Life was much simpler. However, with the lack of facilities, it was indeed difficult as it was obvious. But now, thanks to technology, the world today that we live in has become one global village.             Social networking is a common fad among most young people nowadays. The Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation, Rev. Fr. Pascual Chavez SDB calls it the “New playground” of the youth. There is no doubt that the phenomenon of social networking has indeed made our world a global village. But, just as there are two sides to a coin, there are also two sides to this aspect of reality. While social networking has its positive side, it has also been the cause of many break – ups in relationships. It can also happen that som...

LIVING OUR POVERTY AND CHASTITY Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             Poverty, chastity and obedience are the three vows that any religious would take when he or she enters into religious life. It may surprise you to think as to why I have not mentioned ‘obedience’ as part of the title of this article. Somehow it happens that when it comes to obedience, most of us generally obey and so I would not want to waste much time on it. I would like to speak about poverty and chastity. We could perhaps say that these two are in some way related. How? Here is a story to illustrate this point.             One day two monks were travelling through a forest. As they were walking, they came across a village in which there was a river to be crossed. The river was pretty deep (at least till waste level) and so they decided to go all the same. However, just before they could make their...

POSSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES CL. Mario D’Couto SDB             We can always drift through our lives passively and not make any contribution to the world or we can do something about it. Each of us is destined for something. God does not create junk and therefore none of us can say that we are ‘good for nothing.’             Life is always filled with possibilities and opportunities. The difference between them lies in the fact that a possibility involves an ‘either – or’ situation where a thing can be done in many different ways. An opportunity is that which comes at a particular time. For instance, if I have been playing the guitar all along and then suddenly there is an audition for an upcoming rock band, this for me will become an opportunity to make my mark or to prove or show what I have.           ...

LIVING OUR POVERTY AND CHASTITY – PART 2 Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             Christ became poor in order to enrich the lives of all people with His love and His presence. He emptied Himself but God raised Him high.             Temporal riches may become obstacles to spiritual wealth if we are not willing to share in Jesus’ mission of service to others for love of the Father. We are not free to follow Him if we are bound to our possessions in an ultimate sense.             One sign that possessions possess us is that care for them demands the major portion of our time, energy, interest and concern. Throwing away the things I have or giving them to the poor does not seem to be the whole answer – though at times and for certain people this approach may be part of the answer depending on their life situation. ...

Mortification Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             The Church has witnessed the lives of so many saints who made mortification as a part and parcel of their lives. It is said that mortification is perhaps the best way to reach spiritual enlightment. But what exactly is mortification?                         Too often, mortification has been misunderstood as something that one is supposed to give up. But such is not the case! Mortification is about discipline. One good analogy that can be used to describe this phenomenon is that of a painter. Painting, like all other skills, requires discipline. If a painter was to paint anyhow or if he or she did not have any sense of proportion, the picture would then be a complete disaster. A lot of things in life follow discipline be it learning to play football, music, cooking...

ASCETICISM Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             Asceticism, to a large extent, is largely tied up with mortification. The only difference between them is that mortification is on a small scale while asceticism is done on a large scale. Asceticism used to be a common feature among the early Christians, especially if they felt that they were not living proper lives.             Can we have asceticism today? Yes, we can have but not in a way we normally understand. Our little strives, difficulties, problems and temptations pout together is more than sufficient to make up for asceticism. However, our attitude matters a lot in this regard. We need to have ‘the eyes’ to see and make the best of such experiences that come our way else asceticism would become just ‘useless suffering.’             Finally, we should n...

ON BEING A GOOD SPEAKER Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB          In his book, “Life is worth living,” Bishop  Fulton Sheen gives us some valuable insights about how to be a good speaker. Most of us underestimate ourselves that few are not ready for the task or may not have the opportunity to do so. But speaking is not just about a formal context like some sort of a one – way traffic. The basic thing about speaking is to know the stuff that you want to say and so the ground – rule for a good speaker is “study, study, study.” There is no other substitute for it. The importance of study lies in the fact that one needs to know his or her matter and that means one would also need to do his or her own little bit of research.             Besides this, there are 3 other things that Bishop Sheen speaks about, 1.      Sincerity 2.      Clarity 3...

Fatima Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             Fatima, a small insignificant town in Portugal, became a pilgrim centre after our Lady appeared to three shepherd children. To understand a little more about the apparition of our Lady at Fatima, we must understand the background of this particular apparition. This apparition took place during the First World War.             The war had taken its toll on the world and this had an adverse effect on Europe. A lot of violence, corruption and all other forms of vices were going on. It was in a situation like this that our Blessed Mother appeared to three shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal.             It may be worth inquiring, however, as to why Almighty God in His providential dealings with the universe should see fit in this day to give us a revelation of His Blessed ...

Journeying Inward Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             It is said that the longest journey that ever was and ever will be is the journey within. It is a life – long progress and as mentioned before, it goes on till the end, even till one’s death. The world that we live in today is filled with so many things and it offers us so many different possibilities. It is up to us to choose for the best or for the worst.             Louise Hageman O.P in her book , “In the midst of winter” quotes Karen Harvey’s explanation about the theory of alienation. Quite often in our lives, we are presented with so many things that could catch our attention and consequently we are left with several choices that finally we end up making the wrong choice though not always. Sometimes we choose the wrong models and we think that is what is best for us, failing to realize that ultimately what w...

Growing old gracefully! Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB To become aware of the fact that one is getting old may not be a very comfortable thing. In fact, it can be frightening! It is thus obvious today as to why more and more and people today are frequenting beauty parlours, gyms and salons just to make themselves look young and fit. Doing these things are not bad or wrong in themselves. It is good and highly recommended but at a certain period of time. We should always remember that our lives are never our own, it is given and so aging is something we need to accept.   One of the reasons for this terrible angst in old age or at least for those heading towards old age is probably because for an old man, for whom life is nearly over, he looks back reflectively, thinking over his experiences and tries to sum up its meaning. He stands outside as a spectator, pondering over the life that he lived. The young man, on the other hand, looks forward and seeks to understand the meaning o...

God’s unique relationship with each of us Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             It is not essential that everyone in the community adopt the same devotion for one may feel a deep awareness of God’s presence when sitting quietly in the chapel while another may find that he or she has a sense of identity with Christ while making the Way of the Cross. What is a distraction for one may be an ideal exercise for another. The point is, both are praying. There is no need for one to participate in the other’s devotion.             A problem arises if this individual approach leads to the neglect of the fundamentals. For example, attendance at Mass and prescribed community prayers may be neglected in favour of making a special novena or participating in a prayer group. As long as caution is exercised in regard to the essential conditions and community exercises, it is wise to re...

God’s Greatness – Part 2 Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             The canticle of Philemon 2:6 -11 beautifully portrays the whole mission of Jesus in a few verses, which was to pay the price for the sins of humankind. Christ Jesus became one like us in all aspects except sin. In one of my previous articles entitled “God’s greatness,” [Please refer to the ‘Old posts’] I had written about a reflection made by Giovanni Papini where he speaks about how God could be born in one of the filthiest places, one could imagine. Fulton Sheen writes something similar in his book called, “Life of Christ.”             In one of the filthiest places in the world, a stable, Purity was born. He, Who was later to be slaughtered by men who would act as beasts, was born among beasts. He, Who would call Himself the “‘ Living Bread ’ descended from Heaven,” was laid in a manger, literally, a pla...

God knows us better than we know ourselves – Part 2 (A reflection on the life of St. Augustine) Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             Augustine was ravished by God’s beauty; nonetheless, he was torn from it by carnality. Because of his need for a woman, he found that he was at the end of an elastic leash which pulled him back to a self in strife. Two wills, one spiritual, one carnal, were in conflict and their conflict wasted his soul.             Ralph Harper in his book, “The Seventh Solitude” makes some interesting observations regarding the contemporary use of psychoanalysis in man’s search for self – knowledge. Had Augustine tried to find himself, as many do today, by undergoing a course in psychoanalysis, it is doubtful whether he would have been converted. Harper says that however much a person comes to know himself through psychoanalysis, it often seems that...

IT TAKES TWO HANDS TO CLAP – UNDERSTANDING AUGUSTINE’S “ OPERATIVE ” AND “ CO – OPERATIVE ” GRACE Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             It is not sufficient enough for a team to have a good coach or a movie or a musical director to have a good script. The success of such things is mutual. Everything, so to say, plays an important role in the success of a particular thing. Some time back, I had composed a musical and when we had put it up, it was well appreciated by the audience. There were many people who patted me on the back and said, “Well done!” But I know that the credit for the success of the musical was partly due to the efforts of all those who gave in their best to put up a good musical show (besides my efforts in composing it). For it can very well happen that there can be a good script and a good director but if there are no good actors or singers, it would obviously turn out to be a disaster. The same could happe...