Sermon for 19th Sunday: Elijah Encounters God

selvam Year A

“After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.”

The gospel text of today – the 19th Sunday in Cycle A – narrates to us how the disciples encounter Jesus walking on the water. The first reading narrates to us how Elijah encounters the Lord God in a “whispering sound” or as NRSV has it, “a sound of sheer silence,” on Mt Horeb. What would it mean for us?

The first question to ask is: what state is Elijah in before the encounter? As soon as Elijah reaches the cave on Horeb, before the encounter, Yahweh asks him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” (1Kg 18:9). Why would the all-knowing God ask a mere mortal such a question? Can’t he see where is Elijah, and what he is doing? And why he […]

Continue reading

Innovative Capstone Assessment Models Beyond the Thesis in Master’s Psychology Programmes

selvam Articles/Chapters, Publications

Sahaya G. Selvam


Abstract

Master’s degree is a liminal stage at higher education between the bachelor’s and the doctoral degrees. The expected competency outcomes of a master’s degree presuppose a development on the foundations of the bachelor’s level while providing a basis for an original contribution at the PhD level with subject-specific abilities in integration of knowledge, its application, and communication of the same, coupled with a set of skills in self-learning.

A capstone experience that generally marks the conclusion to the coursework assesses these outcomes before a candidate is awarded a master’s degree. Does a thesis or dissertation consisting of empirical research alone assess the programme outcomes, as is the norm in many universities? Could there be an integration of capstone experiences and research with a variety of possibilities, taking into consideration the […]

Continue reading

Excellence: Doing well or doing good?

selvam Current Activity

Early January 2026, the United States launched a military strike in Venezuela and captured incumbent president Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Later Trump in his inimical style prided to a journalist, “we have weapons nobody else knows about… we have some amazing weapons. That was an amazing attack.” He even shared on his Truth Social page a fake Wikipedia entry describing himself as the acting president of Venezuela.

Yes, America pulled off the “Operation Absolute Resolve” with impeccable precision, that is what the press reported. Yes, it was done well, but was it right, was it good? Was it ethical or even legal?

‘Excellence’ is an overused term these days. Often a mere capitalist marketing byline. Academic institutions aim at excellence in education. Service industry strives for excellence in customer care. Government agencies claim to deliver excellence in public administration.

The […]

Continue reading