Solitary Soul

HUMAN PRIDE AND GOD’S RESPONSE TO IT Mario D’Couto             Pride! It is one of the most or probably the most deadliest of all vices since it is like a tree which when once its roots are rock solid and firmly fitted in the ground, it then takes a lot more than mere motivation and effort to uproot it. This is the seed, that perishable seed that has brought down many a person and it is not a recent phenomenon. The story of the Tower of Babel in the book of Genesis is a clear testimony of human pride and God’s response to it.             As the story goes, the people at that time were of one group and spoke the same language. Hence they decided to come together and build a tower that would reach the heavens. But God confused them so much that they were all lost and everything became a total chaos after that. In most psychoanalysis of behaviour and practical relig...

A REFLECTION ON WORK Mario D’Couto             Work, to put it very technically, is defined as the push and pull of an object. It is a universal phenomenon that all of us in one way or another are involved in. So with that being said, it could be any mundane activity and not necessarily a complicated or sophisticated task in an office or wherever that might be. Yet, given our gift of rationality, the unique thing about us humans is that our work can be a source for greater fulfillment . What do I mean by this? Let me begin by asking a question, “What is it that distinguishes us from animals?” We work, earn and use the money to buy the things we want (depending on our budget of course) and this has been a common observation in most people. But is it so different in the case of an animal who either looks for food or hunts for food, which is something that happens on a regular basis? Maybe! While there are quite a few reasons whe...

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY ! Mario D’Couto             I know, I know, there are still two more days to go but hopefully if you are reading these words on the screen of your computer or mobile phone, I probably may have got your attention …. Hahaha! Anyways, on a serious note I thought of taking the opportunity to share a short reflection/blogpost in preparation for the beautiful day. I would like to begin with a line from Matthew Kelly’s book, “The Seven Levels of Intimacy” who wrote that intimacy is not a task to be finished but a process to be enjoyed. What does that mean? Read on to find out.   It’s interesting to note that during wedding masses, the first reading is taken from the book of Genesis and there’s a lot of depth of meaning in it, as it communicates to us about the human condition. In Genesis 2:18, it is written, “It is not good that man should be alone.” At first glance, this statement may seem odd. A...

THE PRIESTHOOD – A GIFT AND A RESPONSIBILITY   Mario D’Couto             We celebrated the feast of the Presentation of Our Blessed Lord a few days ago and in a sense it’s a good time for us to reflect on the lives of our dear priests and religious who serve the faithful in various different ways. I thought of coming up with this blogpost/article as the feast of the presentation of our Blessed Lord, in a sense, can be understood as being set apart for a greater mission as Prophet Simeon said to Our Lady, “Behold, this Child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel” (Luke 2:34). While some may feel tempted to point the flaws of the clergy and the religious, if taken as a whole, the good done in the Church outweighs the negativity found in the lives of the priests and the religious. Now this is not to justify the negativity found in the church and while justice should prevail, it would be an equa...