Solitary Soul

HERMENEUTICS AND LIFE Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             While I was doing both my bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in philosophy, one subject that I had to learn was ‘Hermeneutics.’ Hermeneutics, to put it very plainly is interpretation. As human beings, we are constantly trying to make sense of the lives that we live; we comprehend, synthesize and articulate the different experiences that we have been through, both in the present and in the past. It may apparently seem like the most trivial thing since this is something that each of us do every day. But believe me, this was and still is one of the major sciences in the study of philosophy.             So why am I writing about a subject like hermeneutics, you may ask? As mentioned earlier, human as we are and given the gift of rationality that each of us possess, we are constantly trying to interpret and comp...

DRYNESS IN SPIRITUAL LIFE – PART 2 Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             In the reflection ‘Dryness in spiritual life,’ (please check the old posts) I had spoken about the experiences of no consolation in prayer and how we need to remain steadfast despite all that. This reflection is a further elaboration about that particular theme.             There may be times that when we pray we may not experience ‘good feelings.’ We may feel as if God has withdrawn from us and is far away. This is the time when we need ‘pure faith’ – the kind of faith that believes in God’s constant loving presence, even when there is no consolation or no sensible sign of His nearness.             Spiritual masters like St. John of the Cross assure us that through such a ‘dark night of the soul’ God is preparing us to experience deep...

THE VALUE OF READING AND WRITING Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             There is a Chinese proverb that goes thus, “The faintest ink is greater than the grandest memory.” In a culture, which has been dominated by SMS, cell phones, computers, laptops and so on, the value of writing seems to be diminishing. Nowadays, many books have gone online too and so today many people prefer reading e –books.             It may be shockingly surprising to note that there are many children today, who struggle to write – thanks to cell phones, computers, laptops and iPods. Everything has become digital. Technology is good and it has its due place but is only a tool. It is only a means towards achieving a goal or an objective.             Today, more and more research has shown that children who sit on social networking sites s...

THE POWER OF VISION Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB             Each of us is destined for something great. None of us is a piece of junk and thus in order to realize the true worth in us, it is important that we need to be people of vision.             Life, in order to have meaning, has to be directed towards a particular goal. Yes, it is important to grow through life and not just go through life. Yet, our growth has to have a certain direction. It is like saying a person could allow the plants in his garden to grow anyhow, if he does not want to see it kept neat and clean. But if he wants to see it neat and clean, then care should be taken to make sure that it does not grow that way. The same could be said about keeping one’s hair.                         T...

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 ...