The recent controversy over the picture of Jesus with beer bottle in one hand and a cigarette in another in the popular Catholic magazine “Doot” has brought so much negative attention both in Church as well as in the secular print media. All of us are aware of the fact that a group of people are taking the centre stage by constantly attacking individuals and institutions while at the same time enjoying so much popularity and attention. Why is it we as the Church and Society at large become helpless at the hands of this handful of people who are bent on destroying the ‘unity’-the very foundation of any community or society?
I would like to share with you my reflection on this current issue which affects our Church and there by initiate some discussion and debate. Scientifically our brains are programmed to pay greater attention to danger, harmful things which come on our way than things which are positive and good. if you want proof, read Gujarati news papers and watch Gujarati news. A significant percentage of the news coverage are about robbery, rape and all social evils.
There are many good things happening in our church. There are so many silent lay people, priests, sisters and youth doing wonderful things for the Church and the society and we hardly notice these things. But when someone does the opposite, files a case against easy targets in the church, all of us sit and take notice of the person. In other words, we are the people who give importance, give space, and make them 'heroes'. We are the consumers of the negative news, thereby producing 'heroes' who destroy the very fabric which unites the Church and the Society.
Coming back to Doot controversy, the readers of the Doot know that the Doot magazine has consistently stood for traditional Catholicism and faith. So by and large the readers have forgiven or hardly taken notice of the 'blunder' the designers and the editors have done. But the trouble mongers are using this 'negligence' as an opportunity to malign the editorial team. And today, the talk of the town is about the person who has filed the case against the editorial team. once again we have made the trouble mongers as hero. He has received all the attention which he craved.
It is in this context, i urge the leaders of the Church and Society to take stalk of the current situations and answer some of the relevant questions emerging from the prevailing context: we need to ask ourselves some basic questions on why we have come to this situation? Why we give so much importance to these thugs? Why the Christian society is not able to counter these handful of people? why we consume negative literature? Why we fail to notice so much good things which are done by so many people? why do we not speak and share about some of the living saints of our church? why people who are evil in their intention and deeds get maximum popularity in the church and the society? How do we make sure that this handful of people do not proliferate?
You are welcome to add your reflection on this issue.
4 comments:
Dear Jothi, I fully agree with you. These thugs must be ignored and pitied.
Our religion does not depend on pictures. It depends on the project of the kingdom of Jesus and if we fail in carrying out this project then only our feelings needs to be disturbed. Then together we must attack ourselves to bring about the kingdom. Only people who have not understood Jesus and his challange to bring about the Kingdom will fall prey to this type of reaction. May God bless them.
John Khanna S.J.
Greetings of Peace!
I see the way of the Cross reenacted.There is the crowd that knows that Jesus has been doing great things for the poor and the sinners, but they remain 'spectactors' and maja jovawala when a tiny 'vikrut' minority scourge,humiliate and crucify him. We need the tears of Jesus, the sweat of Jesus, the words of forgiveness of Jesus. Father, they know not what they are doing. FORGIVE THEM. I am consoled that on the way of the Cross,amidst the rogues and silent spectators, there is his mother, there is Simon of Cyrene, there is Veronica, there is his beloved disciple, in solidarity with Him. Thanks for your solidarity and for your concern. God bless!
Very true fr Jothi..
There are some people who can never see any good in anything. It is all about faith. Those who are supporting such people need to ask themselves, where is their faith?? Why is their faith so lame that can be challenged by anyone.?? How come they fall prey to such people if they have faith in Jesus ..??
We all have to accept that it was genuine mistake and case of human error..the issue should not be used to satisfy their hidden agendas..!!
Dear Fr. Jyothi, You r very much right. But don't worry father. they r like 'the sheep' and there are many who follow them blindingly. They know what is going on around but they don't dare to look up and say; oh ! that's also another way of looking at it. For me, Jesus is telling us all that drinking and smoking is killing us, our family, our society and the rogues like the one who has made this a public issue......
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