Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof (Cf. Mt 6:34)
Here in Nairobi, I stay in a community which provides facilities and programmes for youth trainings and retreats. When I was in this community six years ago, we created a labyrinth in the premises. A labyrinth is a maze-like structure in which people walk prayerfully, and often experience peace and tranquillity. The labyrinth that we have constructed is a type of a prayer garden – you go through one entrance, walk all the way to the centre, and then you make your way out of the labyrinth through another path, finally exiting not far from where you entered. As people walk through these winding ways there are stations to stop by, where they are invited to do some simple symbolic actions in a prayerful way. When I wrote the instructions for these stations, little did […]
Author: selvam
Paravar People of India
Paravar People – An Overview
Paravars are people who now inhabit most of the coastal villages from Tuticorin on the Eastern coast to Muttom on the western coast of the Indian peninsula. Their history, though very little serious research has been done, is very intriguing.
There are some claims that since Paravars are also called Bharathar, they are the original Indians who inhabited the Indus Valley before the arrival of the Aryans from central Asia. Hence they are the original Dravidians. The linguistic similarity between Bharat and Bharathar may simply be mere co-incidence.
However, the earliest mention of the Paravars in any authentic source dates back to 3rd century BC. Some archeological evidence found at Arittapatti in Melur taluk points to the fact that the Paravars were the sole fisherfolk who controlled the coast from Rameswaram down to southern cape. Probably they practiced Jainism by then. It is in that connection that the […]
Sermon for Cycle A – 9th Sunday Homily
It is not those who say to me, Lord, Lord… (Mt 7:21)
“Undeniably, those who wilfully shut out God from their hearts and try to dodge religious questions are not following the dictates of their consciences, and hence are not free of blame; yet believers themselves frequently bear some responsibility for this situation. For, taken as a whole, atheism is not a spontaneous development but stems from a variety of causes, including a critical reaction against religious beliefs, and in some places against the Christian religion in particular. Hence believers can have more than a little to do with the birth of atheism. To the extent that they neglect their own training in the faith, or teach erroneous doctrine, or are deficient in their religious, moral or social life, they must be said to conceal rather than reveal the authentic face of God and religion” (Gaudium et Spes, no.19).
This was a […]
Sermon for Cycle A – 20th Sunday Homily: Good News to the Nations
Good News to the Nations (Mt 15:21-28)
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
It so happens that I write this from Nairobi, where I am on transit. I travelled fromIndiaa few days ago, and tomorrow I will be travelling to London. Memories of my days inIndiaare still fresh in my mind, even as I closely watch the current riots in the United Kingdomwith some anxiety. Thanks to our easy means of communication and fast means of travel today, many of us enjoy the privilege of constantly coming in contact with people and places that are new to us. The Word of God today invites to examine our attitude towards ‘strangers’ in the light of Jesus’ own mission to the nations.
The current riots of London do not seem to have any explicit racial connotation, but the role of the inability of people to accept strangers and the unwillingness of strangers to feel at home […]
Vijana Leo
UTUME KWA VIJANA 1
Sahaya G. Selvam, SDB
Hali ya Vijana wa Siku Hizi: Ukweli na Uwongo
“Vijana wa siku hizi… hatuelewani nao! Kizazi hiki kimepotea! Dunia imechafuka!” Malalamiko ya watu wazima kuhusu vijana ndiyo haya. Hata vijana wanaweza kukubali kirahisi na sentensi zifuatazo:
Vijana wanaonekana kuwa waasi.
Vijana wa siku hizi hawajali dini.
Vijana hawaelewani na wazazi wao.
Vijana wanapendelea zaidi kusoma makala za burudani, vitabu vya hadithi (riwaya) na kutazama TV na Filamu.
Asilimia kubwa ya vijana wa mijini hawajijali, na hutumia madawa ya kulevya.
Vijana wa siku hizi wanapenda kupiga kelele nyingi, wakorofi, na wasumbufu.
Vijana wanatarajia kupata burudani tu kutoka kwenye vituo vya vijana.
Vijana siku hizi wanakosa maadili na msimamo wa […]