DECONSTRUCT - THE MYTH OF SEX THROUGH EDUCATION

This is an afterthought conversation with a friend... 

Very often we do not know and are not aware whether it’s factual or fictional, fantasy or reality but the naked truth is that while speaking or hearing, seeing or writing we come across words associated with s^x such as desire (libido), and arousal that makes us known as sensual relational existential beings. We, humans, are inherently sexual beings. It is natural, and one of the basic needs (I would add) which is very normal and ordinary to have the mood “turn on” and be and live (entwined, energized, entangled, entertained, and educated ) our sexuality. It is very necessary to have sexual confidence (being comfortable and being communicable) and consent (affirmation, attraction, and affection). The body accepts pleasurable (curiosity, discovery, intimacy) gestures (soft - kiss, embrace, hug, touch, cuddle and/or hard-) that is highly relative (orgasms and orgies) leads to expressions (satisfaction, glorification, and liberation) in a very subjective (passionate pain) way. But I don’t understand why we call it and say: it’s taboo, it’s sacred, it’s bad and I don’t know why we unnecessarily create (make a trap) a belief (religious, spiritual, political, cultural, emotional) of a social construct (right/wrong, good/bad, do’s/don't). Of course, we need to take the necessary precautions, and preventions in the act of foreplay, or orgasms with (bi-, or pan-) or without a partner (things) to avoid the damage (emotional, psychological, physical, social, cultural, financial) and risks (diseases) to oneself and the other. Are we able to challenge and deconstruct the myths of sex with an open mind (conscience and consciousness) and the right resources (channelize)? Therefore, grow to live and be sex educated.

 

 

WORLD CONSECRATED DAY

In 1997, Pope John Paul II called for consecrated life to be promoted throughout the universal Church. The World Day for Consecrated Life is to be celebrated on 2nd February, the feast which commemorates the presentation which Mary and Joseph made of Jesus in the temple "to present him to the Lord" (Lk 2:22).

In the words of Pope Francis (2022): “The missionary dream of reaching out to all is the project of love”.

The joy of WE - No one, no one, should be excluded or feel excluded from this journey; no one, no one, should think it doesn't concern me

Participation - I recognize myself as part of a shared project strong in the conviction that we can only receive and give Good

Responsibility - we cannot but be among others and with others (https://www.vaticannews.va)

While all the baptized are called to share a common relationship with God: to be “religious” (RFC).

The trust that this World Day of prayer and reflection will help the particular Churches to treasure evermore the gift of consecrated life and to be measured by its message, to find the proper and fruitful balance between action and contemplation, between prayer and charity, and between commitment in the present time and eschatological hope (https://www.vatican.va)

This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples (USCCB).

Walking Away, Letting Go…

 I don’t know why I love her

She stole my heart & my soul

Her beauty and simplicity, her smile and looks

She looks so beautiful that it hurts everyday

And I don’t know why she is the only one that makes me feel so

Yellow is her color

And now I am on the spur of singing buffalo…. “Buffalo Soldier”

On this winter night, I want to feel all the wit and might

I never ever thought I’ll cry for someone

But for her, I literally shed my tear

I even begin to drink which I never did before

I even proposed to her and never ever received an answer yet

I feel rejected, I feel broken, and I feel hopeless

Every night I dream and think of her

And I wonder why She has not yet given me an answer

 

There was a time we were so close

That in every picture we could pose

But in time we got distant

2022 has given me hopes

Because after a long time she spoke

And now I am even more confused

And even more complicated

That I don’t know what it is and will it go on

Maybe it’s my mistake to start it all

 

For me, it was never about the body

But her personality, character, and the way she is

Every time I listen to her song (100 Words)

I kept getting closer to her

What’s my fault that I fell for her?

I got to know only one thing that love is gone

Why is love so complicated?

That I can’t feel, I can’t see, I can’t understand, I can’t have it

Is there something wrong with me or with my thoughts….. I do not know

Wish there was more to have like whisky and rum, family and friends, music.

This is only an expression of my friend's heart, mind, and soul and his feelings for the one he...

Cheers...

 

I don’t know why

But I like her hie and bys

I began to like her even more

When I came to know the date she was born

I didn’t know from the time came into this world

Until her last birthday 2020 which was a midnite fun

Her daily routine

Is like a theatre screen

Rising at 6 ish

Which she never wishes

Taking bath n eating breakfast

Running for the Bus

As the time is ticking hush-hush

For work which is all buzz

Morning time during the flush

Clicking a selfie blush

Her afternoons are busy

With texting chatting lunching

Then feeling lazy and sleepy

Walking every step 3 floors up

To resume her work of backup

In the evening when back she messages what sup

As she freshen ups

 

Her eyes are what captures

Every move drape like no other could

Her smile makes her face glitter

N every step she takes with gitter

Every time she shakes her legs while sitting

Which means that she is only thinking

She love Sundays

First time I seen her was in the Village Street

Felt like running my hands through her hair n kiss her cheek

But I could not dare to that

Because it was just not the day

Gazing through the night sky

Contrasting every colour of the dark light

Lost in thoughts of the mind

Decisions of life become rough and tight

 

She has come to a junction in life

Where she knows she has to strive

With family and friends known

Stressful and painful ways unknown

Yet she fathoms to walk the path

No matter what the warth

For she knows someone will be the warmth

Maybe that’s all she is got

She was trying to be good

But did not understand why or how

That would not put her to bed

And her eyes would be all teary and red

There was to dread

Because all she had to do was shred

She still could not find the reason why

Until she got a tight slap

 

Oh, that Saturday morning sunshine

With music and clear blue skylines

The roads on either side with green climbs

In the car was a delightful time

A onetime, totally sublime

Wanted the time to freeze

And experience the cool breeze

It’s like one dares to dream

But thoughts only allow to trim

We are at the beach

Sharing with each other what life teach

The horizon telling us a good tale

In history, no one to blame

Let life be an eternal flame

One should always have an aim

To one day be a fame

As we are walking the hot wind blows

Reminding us of the sunset as we are ready to go

My knees are knocking with a knock that brings a smile

As I carry her on my back for a photograph time

Assuring her that I’ll walk with for a mile

For I am only there a while

I know that it’s temporary

But it’s good to be friendly

Evening came and we made love madly

It was simply human but truly divine

Wish she could stay to dine

But she had to go back in time

All I can say that she will always be mine

It kind of funny the way I rhyme

Ever since as a child

I knew how to be wild

My sincere heart and thought was her to bind

Everything in body, soul, and mind 

 

One may think of life as rosy, or cherry

But I think that life is all about merry and not marry

But I know that you have dreams

I wish and pray that one day the Supreme

Will grant your desires

And bless you, with all that you admire

You will have better and nicer days

When you tell stories to your little girl baby

Of moments that you have captured

And memories well raptured

As the pack of cards lay

The ace of spades stays

One day will find you in the middle of the bay

Maybe it will be the month of May

You will say

Hey

Do you remember me?

It will be beyond expectation

That once I was your fascination

Or wait actually never an imagination

That time your girl will run up to saying

Mommy, Mummy

And I will be left with nothing but

Smiles and Smiles and Smiles

As the little girl smiles at me

And turns to you asking you WHO

And I disappear like I was never there too

Let there be no more hurts

Let there be no more burns

Yes we can learn to smile 

maybe time will bring moments of grey and gay

She seemed to be smiling and he wondered why

She looked at her wristwatch and say’s

…Oh My God…OMG

 

From RD to CD

One month of knowing you from your Birthday

I think you are a gift and a blessing to everyone

Stay blest, Stay Safe

You will always be my darling, the caring one

I pray and bless your future and near dear ones

No Coffin to Lay His Body

Br Michael Condillac sdb was 78 years old when he passed away on Sunday, 15^th April 2020 at Karuna Hospital. The day he was called to eternal life was on the day of Resurrection. We no coffin to lay him but wrapped him white cloth, which reminds us all of our Christian vocations which we make in our baptismal vow to be a total offering to God, our Creator to whom everything belongs.

Article 45 of the Salesian Constitution shows the place of the Salesian Brother in the community which is an integral part and not an add-on or subordinate vocation.  As an ordinary lay religious Salesian brother, he would live his life with simplicity and serenity. I can vouch for his simplicity because his poverty was seen in his way of dressing and living the day as a simple down-to-earth man. The same can be said about his serenity because most of the time he spends was in the chapel praying the rosary or sitting in silence having a conversation with the Lord. Well, at the table for breakfast he preferred the sunny side up and for lunch a bombil fry with dal, for evening tea the mother Teresa biscuits and dinner an apple with soup.

Apart from praying he also loved talking to the children getting to know their history and talking to the superior and the management as to how to help them with particular or special interests. He liked to see the children playing and studying, dancing and singing and would suggest ways and means to the brothers as to how to animate the children.

There are so many aspects to Br Michael’s life and many ways that he touched our lives. I will always remember him as “Paa”- lovingly known as the grandfather (Azoba - Marathi).

Prayerful – I have seen Salesians being good at many gifts and talents – player, runner, drummer, strummer, footballer, but Br Michael was best seen and was a Prayer. He was most of the time in the chapel praying apart from the community prayers.

Asceticism was one of the hallmarks he lived with. Like Don Bosco, to give of ourselves tirelessly for the young. This was also seen in his respect for the superiors and the authority. Living his vow of obedience to the core.

Accompanying the young – As an educator after Don Bosco and an evangelizer after the example of Jesus Christ himself, he would seek every opportunity to guide and empower the young. Firstly, by listening to them and secondly by accompanying them.

LIVING LIFE TODAY 2020

Its been a while since |I have posted anything but here is something to reflect and revision and relive

Part 1

I will rise, I will fall

But every time it happens

I will move ahead of them all

People who stood by you

Walk away without any clue

Life is just tik-tok

Wish this time was never on the clock

Life is all about

What you want to make of it

Be it work of art or havoc in the heart

Though stout and brave

Funeral marches to the grave

Ignoring all blessings

Racing through sad things

Staying inside only brings

Memories that we had n shared n cared

Some which gave us a swing

While others only a sting

Some made us give ping

N others giving fling

Now its summer singing

Days of remembering spring

Where we could mingle

But now distancing n being single

Part 2

But its true

These days are of crewfew

With people who need glue

If not their fate to meet only the sue

This pandemic flu

Has left us with no clue

This has given us no revenue

But has taken care of Nature Avenue

It’s a reminder to us of nature’s value

So let human learn to withdrew

From this beautiful yet killing review

Not to get into another rendezvous breakthrough

It’s time that we settle all our overdues

And wish the coronavirus adieu

Part 3

As humans let live our lives of virtue

And take every step to renew

What we have done cannot be undo

So let’s give life another chance by not redoing

But get up n start living

So stop trying, stop crying, stop giving up

But start living by changing, by being, by living

After all, tat is wat makes you go,

Bring it wherever you go,

Not everyone is going to love you

So dnt resist or hesitate or fear

Live with a vision which is clear

Be it for yourself or for others

Let it be always to strive to care,

Part 4

For all my life may be

As the world surrounds me

And one chance is all we get

Is a life filled with or with no regrets

One of the truth about all of our lives

In the end we just want to survive

Locked in our homes, some inside while others out

Some are five, while others twenty-five

Some sixty-five, while others seventy-five

We all have only one drive

The strength to fight

for our rights

waiting for the Brightside

for the humans to thrive

this six months hive

to just stay alive 

Part 5

How do you interpret today’s situation

people have to forget vacation

there is no time for discrimination

we are kept away from temptation

children with no education

students with no graduation

this virus has filled us with mutation

wat if we are like this in continuation

when life will be only frustration

how can we live in consideration

this will be our question

in every fraction and friction

let living life to the fullest be our only caption

 Romero D'Souza

DIACONATE ORDINATION

His Excellency Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa was the one to ordain 17 of us (13 Salesians & 4 Missionaries of Africa) as deacons. It is truly a blessing for us the Holy Eucharist for the Diaconal Ordination took place at Gethasamane, Jerusalem in the Church of All Nations on the 11^th June 2017, Tuesday morning 10. 00 am.

We place on record all the Superiors & communities of the Salesians of Don Bosco & the Missionaries of Africa for accepting us and giving us this grace to be ordained. Thanks to all our formators from the time we entered the congregation received our first profession till our perpetual profession and in a special way to the formators, confessors & spiritual directors here in Israel for their guidance and support spiritually as well as the formation in the community.  Also to Studium Theologicum Salesianum (STS), all priests, religious and lay teachers and professors who have contributed toward our study and intellectual formation. We also remember our parents, relatives, family and friends for their love, for their support and their encouragement & blessings. 

Our special thanks to our Choir, the Fillipino community of Good Shepherd, for their melodious singing. For your commitment, spirit of sacrifice, devotion, but above all their love for us brothers. Everyone who is present with us has played an important role in our journey toward this stage in our formation. You have been a source of strength to us through your prayer, sacrifice, and support (both spiritual and material). We pray that the Lord continue to bless all of you. Our encounters and experiences with you are the gifts from which we learn and grow in our lives. May our friendship be strengthened by the supernatural bond of grace.

Pray for us & Bless us

As we do the same to you all

God Bless You

BEFIKRE (CAREFREE OR CARELESS - NOTHINGNESS)

Befikre (carefree) crime-romantic-comedy film released on the 9^th December 2016 has hit the screens as well as the songs have been downloaded and listened to repeatedly few months earlier along with its trailer and banners. A film produced and directed by Aditya Chopra. The movie is a free spirited, contemporary story of carefreeness and focused on living life to the fullest. There are reviews and ratings already being flashed. Well, who am I to criticize or judge the movie…I personally enjoyed watching the movie….but I think apart from watching the movie…it truly speaks of the culture we are living today in the 21^st century…allow me to use the word carelessness…and in living my life to the full that means living with no fear, no limits, no boundaries, no rules, no laws, allow me to add to the list…no morality, no religion, no God…I think we would run and are actually running the risk of living a selfish, egoistic, highly motivated yet disillusioned and destructive lives. I think this movie has much to offer by way of reflection and living our lives in family, in communities, in society, in the world. Where we need to love and care, to live for others, to make this world a better place so that we can really live our lives with Befikre…..with trust, with believe, with confidence, with love, with courage…

Philosophically reviewing this movie…I think it is also an invitation to all of us to attain nothingness (in Sanskrit Ṡūnyatā – Nishkama karama, in Japanese mu, and in Chinese wủ), a realm of metaphysics where Parmenides (empty world is possible), Rene Descartes (to seek the existence), St Augustine (why is there something rather than nothing?), Martin Heidegger (ontological neutrality), Victor Hugo (contrast universal negation with universal affirmation), Peter Van Inwagen (the infinite lottery), Gottfried Leibniz (something – universal designer), William James (from nothing there can being there can be no logical bridge)…How could I ever forget Jean Paul Sartre who contends that human existence is a conundrum our conscious choices run counter to our intellectual freedom – the consciousness….Thinking of Creation out of nothingness presupposes the possibility of total nothingness…now such a construction seems logically illogical and this is the opening verse of the literal reading of Genesis 1.1. If the world is created out of nothingness…then what about the creation? What about the faith and believe and hope which we Christians base on Love? My thinking has lead me to question even the insights of Blaise Pascal, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstien, Sigmund Freud, Soren Kierkegaard, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Rudolf Carnap, Frank Wilczek, Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow, Lawrence Krauss. I am reminded of the Bhagavad Gita verse , “Nâsato vidyate bhâvo, nâbhâvo vidyate satah” (the unreal never is, the real never is not)[2:16]. This once again spells to us: “ex nihilo, nihil fit” (out of nothing comes nothing). We see from history of philosophy many studying and reflecting on this phrase of Parmenides to mention one among the many St Thomas Aquinas who seeks to reason out this phrase through one of his arguments on the proof of the existence of God. Crossing the boundaries the of nothingness I think that we do not need to compromise nor confront some truths neither care-a-damn attitude…

DIVINE MERCY

Its been a long time that I have blogged....

Here is a simple conversation and dialogue that led to this thinking...

Yesterday in the oratory I had an interesting talk with one of our kiddo...I happened to ask him what he wants to be and become in life...now he is just 9 years old but he said "Brother Romero....I have many options that I have been thinking" and so I asked him, "name a few of them". He began by saying, "I wanna be a policeman, a singer, a priest". I said, "wow, cool..." and then I asked him, "but why you want to be a policeman?" and then he replied saying, "because I want to help my family, my country to serve and save them". and then I asked him, "but why you want to be a priest?" and then he replied saying, "because I want to help my family, my country to serve and save them".

Thinking about this he had the same answer to both career/vocation in life....I pray that as he grows he may find what his heart desire. May this boy be like his name is...generous and saving....thanks to him that I began to think of this reality - in my life, of my life, for my life.

Today is the feast of Divine Mercy and it lead me to think about these two words Justice (policeman - law) and Mercy (priest - love). I think that as humans, as christians, as catholics, as priests and future priests we need to have a balance of both in life. This is what the Divine Mercy is. It is also a reminder to me and to others to forgive and forget which is both very difficult in our lives. But let us pray for this gift through the intercession of St Faustina & St John Paul II. As Pope Francis exhorted us to be APOSTLES OF MERCY.

The Image of Divine Mercy has from the heart flowing water (grace) and blood (love) which reminds me of the scene of Jesus on the Crucifix and the soldier piercing the lance in his site. The image also reminds of Jesus being Resurrected in his white robe and rays of light shining. It is a reminder to me and you that the Holy Eucharist is nothing else but celebrating Christ at Mass and living this Mass, this Jesus in our daily lives. Being Jesus, Living Jesus, Sharing Jesus.

People of Faith in Jesus Christ I believe in the Divine Mercy and the best example I can share is that of my family and my mom in a special way. I recommend to you all those who have read this start praying the prayer of Divine Mercy.

Appreciate your time for reading this thought...

A LAND, A PEOPLE – A LOVE, A HOPE

A land which is known as holy

But covered with sinful folly

A land which claims to be monotheistic in religion

But totally chained in polytheistic regions

A land which is called to be the promised land

Seems to have always been barren and deserted

A land of wise and God fearing prophets

Who were butchered and rejected, unheard and silenced

A land once robbed and destroyed of its economic status,

Molested and raped of its cultural living,

Abused and accused by many foreigners for its riches

But also adorned, respected, privileged, blest,

loved, and testified to truth, to faith, to witness

A land historically defamed, psychologically tamed,

linguistically maimed, culturally shamed, spiritually un-named

Conquerors and invaders have marched on this land

Some corrupted, some civilized

What did they do?

They claimed, they blamed

They divided, they ruled

A land now corrupted with nuclear powers and energy

A land now indoctrinated in its teaching and education of the next generation

A land now populated with migrant workers and caregivers

A land once scattered and till the recent past lives a diaspora moment

A land which feels persecuted and despised

A land that seeks to revenge with war and anger and hatred

A land that avenges its fallen walls and tottering borders

A land which was a covenant made to a people

A people who might be living in radical error and an eclipsed reality

A people that sacrificed, prayed, listened, obeyed, followed the voice of…..

But now still stays with a blurred vision of the truth – partial truth

Now a people claim a land

Now a people unfortunately yet consciously

Blame their brothers and sisters

They seek to repeat the misfortunes and mistakes of old

So they relive an experience of no growth, no change, no love

A people speak and enact on behalf of the return

Is this a return or a turning away from the voice of….

Or a turning to the echo of the voice of….

The Ancient days and the modern times

Have known its past and seen its present

What can they make of the future

Lies only with the voice of…..

A land, a people which is in need of LOVE

A love which is unconditional, uncountable, unaccountable

Think and feel only of a love

A love with no division, no differences, no distinction

A love open for dialogical dialogue

A love to understand and recognize

the other as 'you', as human

A love in search of faithfulness and forgiveness

A love to live in faith and in truth

On the threshold a people await

In hope to listen to the voice of….

Let the challenges make of us a coexistence

Let the separation lead us to collaboration

the refusal become respect, condemnation to civilization

the labels of fatalism and the tags of terrorism

to peaceful realization and merciful aspirations

attitudes of contempt and despair to convictions and establishments of peace and bonds of togetherness

Do not think of this as a piece of satire

neither be a fool to think of it as farce

nor do I propose it for dissemination

or else one might think of me

as a champion of or against anti-semitism

while you read this p-o-e-m

did you think of me as a pessimist or an optimist

or else did you feel I was  being empathetic or motivating?

(To me it seems like wisdom is asleep and refuses to awake or maybe only pretends to be a sleep

or rather seems to have taken sleeping pills

Why do a people pledge in vain and slander each other for useless gain that leaves everyone only in tragic pain

I can imagine slaughtering of lives and bodies full of flies

Streets covered with smashed bones and pieces of bodies disposed, roads drenched with blood dried and awful stink)

This poem has taken shape after having read Rabbi Abhraham Heschel Israel: An Echo of Eternity (1967) & Irreconcilable Differences? (2001) edited by David Sandmel, Rosann Catalano, & Christopher Leighton. I would also suggest these books for your critical reading on the topics dealt with in the poem – Land, People, Love, Hope
I also take this opportunity to thank Fr David Neuhaus SJ (the Vicar of the Latin Patriarch, Israel) the professor at Studium Theologicum Salesianum - Jerusalem, Israel, who taught the course on Judaism, by his insightful classes and the sharing of his critical readings. 

JB

Dear Readers,

I received a friend request on FB and as soon as I accepted the request....had a chat...rather a long chat with this person....at the end of the chat i called this person JB....what did we chat about....life....love....family....career....friendship....and the Schindler's list can go on....All i want to say is One Life Live it to the FULL...with happiness...with a smile....with blessings uncountable...with prayers always for others....be of help to everyone to anyone and ALL...coz u never know when next opportunity will knock at you and ask for HELP...share your life coz you have no better chance than to live your life without sharing...this person JB...inspired me to write this on my blog...so you folks are reading it....

JB....be the person you are coz there is no other like U...praying for U and for your wishes....
God Bless U n UR intentions...
LIVE....LIFE....LOVE....LIFE

THE COFFIN CARRIERS

Here is something written from childhood memories and of stories that I have heard from my family. 

Shadows against mountains,

each man, Sisyphus-like, shouldering a coffin,

backs hunched, rifles dragging,

moving Indian file through rice-paddies.

Weighted down by each step

we heard voices singing,

        “plant seeds, in fields and levees…

        In Fall, there will be

        five kinds of grain.”

Childhood, time of friendship, equality.

We used to dive into the same river

shattering the sun into million suns.

Your brother and I would measured our penises

with blades of grass

you would laugh at our little chili peppers

I saw yours, and yes…

I watched them swell and blossom

through the years.

Words support like bones

dreaming of the tenderness – the trembling lips

together, our hands clasp tightly.

Fighting waves of time.

We lost your brother in the Fall of `75.

I awoke this morning – roused by music

A violin sang beautifully

and part of me sang with it.

For on this day, someone is celebrating her birthday.

I wept quietly in my cell.

Oh the waves, the waves

in which we

tumble.

Minh Dang 
Poet of THE COFFIN CARRIERS
A person (salesian n religious - but a brother and friend) who inspires us in the community and the youngsters he meets and interacts - by his presence, his way of interacting, his smile, his catch phrase - "its simply amazing". A person who is an avid reader in all matters. His skills are drawing, sketching, and writing poems. I only know him for a year now lives just across my room here in the community, as it was in the last year. He has patience to listen no matter what time, what place...Soon to be a Priest...a Salesian Religious Priest....above all a MISSIONARY here in Israel, in the holy land....A person who is self-sacrificing and dedicated to work and study, above all to his PRAYER LIFE. His way of living is simple and his heart ever open to share anything and everything. 
Thanks Minh....God Bless U....
keep inspiring 
keep smiling 
keep thinking 
keep sharing
KEEP THE FAITH.....LIVE THE FAITH....
As U R...