A SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
What is the core of Christianity? I asked myself this question after being a Christian for almost forty years. Better late than never!
Is the core of Christianity, being good? My mother always told me to be good. “If you behave well, God will love you!” She said. This was a way my mother convinced me – I convinced myself – to follow Christian morality. Is Christian morality, enshrined in the Ten Commandments, the core of Christianity? At a particular stage in life I realized that Christianity is not merely a moral system. Morality is only one aspect of it. And, Christian morality is not based on just obeying rules, but on love. So, is love the core of Christianity? Today I know love is not the core but only the consequence. I cannot love truly if I have not experienced the core of Christianity. Trying otherwise would be putting […]
Author: selvam
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22. Sonntag im Jahreskreis A – Jer 20, 7-9 – Mt 16, 21-27
Die Schlagzeilen der Zeitungen der letzten Wochen hier in London handelten oft von dem ehemaligen Lybischen Führer. Mich beschäftigte die Frage, warum ein Mann, der so viel Reichtum und Macht angehäuft hat, sich nicht zur rechten Zeit in Sicherheit gebracht hat, um wenigsten einen Teil seines Reichtums und seiner Macht weiter genießen zu können. Leider scheint sein aufgeblasener, fehlgeleiteter Instinkt die Oberhand behalten zu haben. Die Möglichkeiten, die er noch vor ein paar Monaten gehabt hatte, wird er wohl nicht mehr wahrnehmen können. „Wer sein Leben retten will, wird es verlieren“ (Mt 16, 25a).
Auf der anderen Seite des Erdballes, auf dem Indischen Subkontinent, beherrschte ein armer, unverheirateter Mann (Anna Hazare) die Schlagzeilen. Sein Hungerstreik, unterstützt von Hunderttausenden, machte ihn berühmt und setzte die Indische Regierung unter starken Druck, endlich durchgreifende Gesetze gegen die Korruption zu erlassen. Ein einzelner […]
Salesian Values in the African Culture
Inculturation of Salesian Charism in Africa – 2
SALESIAN VALUES IN THE AFRICAN CULTURE
Missionary work is primarily a work of conversion, conversion understood in a holistic sense. However, the missionary is really responsible for only one conversion, his own. It is up to the Holy Spirit to do the rest. (Cf. Spearhead, No.120, p.64) The missionary’s conversion consists in making a genuine effort to better understand and appreciate the culture of the people. If the missionary works on his own conversion, the latter would not only become easy, but would follow spontaneously.
It was in this process of my own conversion that my previous article, “Salesian Presence Vs. Privacy in Africa”, was written for Harambee. The article received several reactions, from within the province and from abroad. There was in general an appreciation of the attempt. One such reaction from Moshi is published in this […]
Salesian Presence Versus Privacy
Inculturation of Salesian Charism in Africa – 1
SALESIAN PRESENCE VERSUS PRIVACY IN AFRICA
Note: This is in no way a scientific work, but only a journalistic writing, originally written for Harambee (AFE newsletter) in 1993. There are two parts to this reflection.
Ndalani is a small Akamba village in Machakos district in Kenya. Last May I had the opportunity to stay in this village for four full days. I stayed and slept in a hut, which was part of a larger homestead. I ate their food (muthokoi). I bathed in the river. I went visiting some families in the village and shared their food and friendship. On the first morning of my stay, my Capuchin friend accompanied me to the river to bathe. When we reached the river, he showed me the place where I could bathe. Then he told me that while I could be bathing there, he would go about […]
Salesian Buzzwords
Administrator
(Bursor)
The one who helps the Rector in the financial matters, caring for the assets and infrastructure of the community.
Becchi
A farm area in thevillageofCastelnuovo D’astiin the region of Piedmont inNorthern Italywhere John Bosco was born. Today the village is called Castelnuovo Don Bosco, and in Becchi stands a big church built to honour our founder – Colle Don Bosco.
Charism, Salesian
A charism is the special contribution that a particular congregation makes in the church through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Salesian Charism is the gift of the Spirit to the church to work for the salvation of young people in the style of St John Bosco
Coadjutor (Brother)
A professed/consecrated member of the Salesian congregation who is a religious and not a priest. In English he is simply called, ‘Brother’. Originally in Italian he is called, ‘signore’ meaning Mr.
Co-operator Salesians
These are members of the Salesian Family who contribute to the Salesian mission […]