My Journey into Recognition

Christopher Mendonca

The Blind Man at Bethsaida (A Soliloquy)

I was blind and had grown accustomed to it.

I wasn’t even interested in being cured.

I basked in the attention that I got,

and inwardly delighted in my capacity to adapt.

I had settled into a comfortable lifestyle

which, in spite of my handicap, I didn’t want to be disturbed.

I felt distinctly uncomfortable when some of my friends

led me out of the village, took me by the hand,

brought me to Jesus, and begged Him to touch me.

Perhaps it was their crisis of faith,

reflecting the hesitancy of John the Baptist in prison

that impelled them to do so.

I was visibly embarrassed as Jesus spat on my eyes

and laid His hands on me,

and asked if I could see anything.

My inward annoyance made me recoil

as Jesus touched me,

reluctantly accepting the intrusion into my settled way of life.

As a result, my sight began to be restored, but only partially.

I could see people, but they looked like trees walking.

I could sense the amusement of those around hearing what I said.

Jesus, however, did not seem to mind.

My sense of vision partially restored wasn’t to be

a setback on the road to my recognition of Him.

He would not crush the bruised reed

nor put out flame of the smouldering wick. 1           

It seemed ironic that in Bethsaida of all places,

people should bring someone to Jesus, seeking a cure.

They had a reputation for unbelief,

but Jesus, for His part, wasn’t interested in proving a point.

He touched me again, as I let go of my reluctance.

As he laid His hand on my eyes again,

I looked hard, was cured, and could now see everything clearly.2

Jesus saw some of those who brought me

walk away in disbelief, contrary to their expectations.

In response, Jesus gently advised me

not to even go into the village.

Sadly, I would not be able to share my joy with them.

John in prison was perturbed at the unacceptance that Jesus met.

He was puzzled that Jesus made no attempt

to brook the opposition that was building up.

A non-assertive Messiah didn’t exactly align with his perceptions.

His fears were allayed when his disciples were told by Jesus

to go and report to John the miracles that were taking place.

Isaiah’s prophecies were being fulfilled; the Saviour had indeed come.

His recognition, however, was not a foregone conclusion.

Only those prepared to see with the ‘eye of the heart’

would recognise Him.

It is a journey to the heart that we must all make.

We are not to be deterred by our own reluctance, like I was.

Nor are our faltering steps an obstacle.

For me, seeing people as trees walking was an improvement,

better than having no sight at all.

The temporary delight was not to be clung to,

but accepted and set aside, only in order to move on to clarity of vision.

John, for his part, had to renounce his preconceived expectations.

Jesus wouldn’t come to his rescue as he might have expected,

but rather let people know that for all his doubts,

John wasn’t a reed shaken by the wind,

but the greatest of the prophets.

While some may have begun to believe in Jesus

witnessing the miracle of my being cured,

others surely must have walked away unaffected.

Miracles of themselves do not authenticate the LORD’s presence,

since not all those who behold them begin to believe.

The real miracle occurs with the inner transformation

that takes place as one’s inner eye is opened.

Until then, we may see, but not perceive,

as the LORD comes into His own, but not all recognise Him. 3

There is one proviso, however.

When we think we see, we indeed continue to be blind. 4          

References: 1. Isaiah 42:3 2. Mark 8:22-26  3. John 1:11  4. John 9:41

Christopher Mendonca is a feature columnist on themes of special liturgical seasons of the year.

The Incarnation & the Dignity of the Body

Elaine Marie Fernandes

“I thank you, God, for the wonder of my being and all the wonders of your creation" (Psalm 139)

During the season of Advent, we once again ponder the mystery of the Incarnation – the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). In taking on our humanity, God reminds us that the human body is not incidental but sacred, a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Embodied Spirituality

In a recent morning class, Fr Lancy Prabhu, SJ reflected on the spirituality of the body. He noted that religious traditions have sometimes drawn a false divide between the spiritual and the material, leading some to view the body as an obstacle to holiness. Yet, Scripture and the Incarnation reveal the opposite: man was created in the image and likeness of God, and God Himself took on flesh. These truths affirm the inherent dignity of the human body.

Our spirituality is embodied – expressed in gestures, actions, and physical presence. The body is where God dwells, and where the soul takes form. We perceive the world through our senses. Our bodies also carry memory, and often indicate something before our minds can articulate it. Animals, too, live in attunement to their bodies, moving through life with innate intelligence and instinctive wisdom. I am often amazed at how my adopted dog is attuned to how I feel, and is able to read subtle shifts in facial tension, before I am consciously aware of how I am feeling, and detect small changes in my respiration. 

As bearers of God's image, we are called to care for the whole of our being – body and soul. Advent invites us to tend this temple with prudence, gentleness, and compassion. This preparation includes examining what we feed our bodies, minds, and hearts through what we read, watch, eat, listen to, tell ourselves, and converse about. Entertainment that glorifies violence or diminishes human dignity numbs the spirit, while art that explores the fragility of the human condition (such as 'Dogville' or 'Dancer in the Dark') provokes reflection and self-knowledge.

ADVENT: The Light of Christian Hope

Fr Royston Pinto SJ

Advent is a season that gently trains the human heart to wait. In a world marked by restlessness, instant gratification, and pervasive uncertainty, Advent stands in quiet contrast. Its liturgical rhythm calls believers to slow down, to watch, and to cultivate hope that is not naïve optimism, but a virtue rooted in God's fidelity. During Eucharistic Adoration—before Christ, who is both the fulfilment of history and the promise of the world to come—this hope takes on a sacramental clarity. The theme of Hope in Advent invites Christians to gaze into the mystery of God who enters human vulnerability and transforms it from within.

Scripture presents Hope not as a vague desire, but as a confident expectation in God's saving action. The prophet Isaiah, whose voice is central in Advent liturgy, speaks to Israel in the midst of exile and disorientation: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light" (Isaiah 9:2). These words are proclaimed not after the people have been liberated, but during their suffering. Isaiah reveals a hope that does not deny darkness; rather, it sees what God is already accomplishing in the midst of it. This "great light" is fulfilled in Christ, and every Advent, the Church enters again into this ancient anticipation.

The Holy Family:  A Model for Families in a Troubled World

Lavoisier Fernandes

The Christmas season is a time of joy, reflection, and celebration. It's when families gather to share in the love and warmth of the season, despite the busyness and distractions that often come with it. 

Among the many feast days in the Christmas octave, the Feast of the Holy Family — celebrated on the Sunday after Christmas — holds special significance. This day invites us to reflect on the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and how their example serves as a model for Christian families today.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, a renowned Jewish philosopher and theologian, beautifully describes the family's role in both spiritual and practical terms. He writes: 

"The family is where we are blessed, and we become most like God Himself, bringing new life into the world for the sake of love. It is our first school, a miniature welfare state, a healthcare centre, a tutorial in responsibility. And yes, there is something spiritual about it. It is solitude redeemed." 

In a world where families face numerous challenges, the example of the Holy Family offers a beacon of hope. It shows that family life isn't about perfection, but about sacrifice, responsibility, and unity — especially in difficult times.

The Enduring Bond of Marriage: A Commitment Beyond Time

At the heart of the family is the institution of marriage. Despite its challenges, marriage remains a sacred bond. During my recent visit home, I was struck by my elderly parents' wedding rings. The gold bands, once polished and perfect, now bear the marks of time and being imperfect — scratched, slightly dented, and reduced in size. Yet, these rings are more than just jewellery. They are symbols of love, sacrifice, imperfection, and enduring commitment, having withstood decades of joys and struggles.

Turning Dreams into Reality: Jesuit Alumni Congress on Sustainable Living

Let's not talk about Climate Change anymore. The climate has already changed. Our role is to now work on Climate Action!" This impassioned appeal from one of the speakers, encapsuled the focus and intent of all the delegates participating in the recently held Congress of Jesuit Alumni. This Congress, held in Mumbai from November 14-16, was centred on the theme of 'Ecology and Sustainable Living'. The 250 participants came from Alumni Associations of schools and colleges run by the four Jesuit Provinces of Bombay, Goa, Gujarat and Pune. These Associations are part of a larger Federation, JAAI (Jesuit Alumni Associations of India), which has taken up Ecology as a key focus area. 

Inspiring inputs

The opening session of the Congress took place at St Xavier's College square, Mumbai, on the evening of November 14. This iconic venue provided the ideal setting in which to reflect on the rich inheritance we have received and the need to conserve it faithfully. The Chief Guest, Archbishop John Rodrigues, outlined the Church's concern for ecology, and urged the participants to work for the greater glory of God by caring for our common home. The keynote address was given by Ms Shloka Nath, the CEO of India Climate Collaborative. Ms Nath reminded us that we make a unique contribution to climate action through our value-based initiatives. Emphasising the importance of every small act, she presented the image of a choir where every voice strengthens the song. 

The second and third days, held at St Mary's ICSE School, Mazagaon, involved concrete discussions on four themes – Energy, Waste, Water and Trees. Fr Frazer Mascarenhas SJ and Fr Joel Noronha SJ presented the Jesuit Ecology Platform of the four provinces, and invited Alumni to contribute towards the implementation of the goals of this platform. This was followed by clear, data-driven presentations on the above mentioned areas, with concrete suggestions on how institutions could move towards sustainability. The Programme Committee had worked out a roadmap with the vision of a sustainable institution that is …

India's Labour Reforms test the Church’s conscience

Dr Fr John Singarayar SVD

When India consolidated 29 colonial-era Labour Laws into four streamlined Codes on Nov. 21, Government ministers called it historic progress, and business leaders celebrated reduced red tape. Standing amid the confusion as factory managers rewrote contracts and gig workers puzzled over new benefits, I found myself asking a simpler question: whose future are we actually building here?

The promise sounds compelling. A textile manufacturer in Surat, in western Gujarat, no longer drowns in separate registrations for Wages, Safety, and Social Security. Fixed-term workers now receive protections once reserved for permanent employees.

Delivery riders navigating Bengaluru’s chaotic traffic finally gain access to health insurance and pension schemes, with platforms contributing up to two per cent of turnover towards social security. These changes acknowledge how India actually works today, where jobs shift faster than our grandparents could have imagined.

Yet the deeper I examine these reforms, the more uneasy I become about what we are trading away.

Companies can now lay off up to 300 workers without Government approval, tripling the previous threshold. Business groups call this ‘necessary flexibility’. Workers see the erosion of their only shield against arbitrary dismissal.

Forming a recognised union now requires 51 per cent worker support, raising the bar precisely when exhausted employees can least afford to organise. The Government frames this as preventing frivolous strikes. Workers experience it as silencing their voices, when speaking up matters most.

The mathematics troubling household budgets reveals another problem. Basic pay must now constitute at least half of total compensation, boosting Provident Fund contributions, but slashing monthly take-home income.

A software engineer in Hyderabad earning Rs 50,000 (US$556.65) monthly might lose Rs 5000 from her pay check, money that covered her daughter’s tutoring or helped ageing parents with medical bills.