God in My Recreation

 Dr Andrew McClurg

As recreation a valid part of a Christian's life? After all, people all around us are hurting in every way — physically, emotionally and spiritually. Should we not spend every second straining to the utmost to do God's work in the world? Is taking time off from this work selfish and wasteful? The answer to this can be approached from two angles.

 Physical and Spiritual Needs

Human beings are physical as well as spiritual beings, and the Bible speaks of taking care of both our physical and spiritual needs, although spiritual needs are given priority. In 1 Timothy 4:8, St Paul writes, "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (NIV). Spiritual disciplines have a higher priority for Christians than physical fitness. But note that physical training has "some value." Suppose I abuse my body with a constant diet of junk food and let myself get run down physically by lack of exercise. How much energy will I have to devote to the kingdom of God? The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Am I honouring God when I abuse that temple?

 The Role of Recreation for the Christian Life

The human body cannot go all out 24 hours a day. Not only do we need enough sleep, but we need time to recharge and renew our strength. A spring that is always extended soon loses its elasticity. A person who keeps up a frantic, non-stop pace will burn out. Rest and recuperation are necessary, and this is where recreation comes in.

The Jobel at the origins of the Jubilee

 Paolo Ondarza

The Shofar, a ram's horn used in the Jewish tradition to announce the beginning of some sacred festivals, is at the root of the word "Jubilee."

 The word 'Jubilee' evokes the sound of the characteristic piercing horn of the ram or ram's horn, the shofar, which in biblical tradition marks the beginning of some sacred Jewish festivals such as Rosh haShanah (the Jewish New Year) or Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). The instrument is frequently mentioned in the Torah, the Talmud, and subsequent        rabbinic literature.

 The faith of Abraham

According to tradition, a ram's horn was sounded to recall Abraham's faith on Mount Moriah when the Patriarch did not step back from sacrificing his son Isaac. A ram, with its horns entangled in a bush, was the sign that God had accepted Abraham's obedience.

 A Sabbath lasting 12 months

In the Bible, the sound of the horn announces another great solemnity – the Jubilee. This word literally means "ram". According to the prescription contained in chapter 25 of the Book of Leviticus, every "seven weeks of years", in the fiftieth year, the "trumpet of acclamation" was to sound to proclaim a "Sabbath" lasting twelve months in which the land should rest, debts would be forgiven, and property would revert to its original ownership.

Called to be Happy: The Priesthood and Vocational Discernment

 Andrea Monda

In view of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations (April 21), an interview with Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy 

What is vocation?

Before thinking of any religious or spiritual dimension, I would say this: vocation is essentially the call to be happy, to take one's own life into one's hands, to live it to the fullest, and not waste it. This is God's first desire for every man and woman, for each one of us: that our life not die out, that it not be lost, that it shine as much as possible. For this reason, He made Himself close through His Son Jesus, and He wants to draw us into the embrace of His love; thus, thanks to Baptism, we become an active part of this love story, and when we feel that we are loved and accompanied, our existence becomes a journey towards happiness, towards life without end. A journey which is then embodied and completed in a life choice, in a specific mission, and in the many situations of each day.

 But how can one recognise a vocation, and what is its relationship to desires?

In this regard, the Church's rich tradition and the wisdom of Christian spirituality have much to teach us. In order to be happy — and happiness is the first vocation which joins all human beings — it is necessary that we not make mistakes in our life choices, at least the fundamental ones. And the first signposts to follow are precisely our desires, the things which we feel in our heart to be good for us, and through us, for the world around us. However, each day we experience self-deception, because our desires do not always correspond to the truth of who we are; they may be the fruits of a partial vision, they may arise from wounds or frustrations, they may be dictated by a selfish search for one's own well-being, or sometimes, what we call desires are, in reality, illusions. Hence, the need for discernment, which is essentially the spiritual art of understanding, with God's grace, what we must choose in our life.

The Synodal Spirit grows in the Archdiocese of Bombay

Natasha Swayze Mani

The Synod on Synodality, a process of Listening, Dialogue and Discernment, was initiated by Pope Francis in October 2021. Subsequently, the Archdiocese of Bombay held its Diocesan Synod at St Pius X College in June 2022. Approximately 200 participants, including priests, religious, and laity, a healthy mix of individuals from various age groups, ethnicities, linguistic backgrounds, including migrants, domestic workers, and families with special needs children embarked on a journey, engaging in reflection on feedback gathered from Synodal consultations spanning across the archdiocese, around four pivotal themes: 'An Inclusive Church', 'A Collaborative Church', 'A Faith-filled Church', and 'A Church relevant to the times'.

 A resounding call for a more inclusive and Christ-centred Church emerged as a central theme from the Bombay Diocesan Synod.

The echoes of the Synod on Synodality continue to resonate within the Archdiocese in the wake of the October 2023 Synod convened by Pope Francis in Rome.

 Some thoughts on the October 2023 Synod: It has been profoundly uplifting to observe the remarkable resonance between the discussions held at our diocesan level in June 2022 and the themes brought to the forefront during the October 2023 Synod. This convergence of thoughts and concerns underscores a beautiful testament to the Holy Spirit's active guidance to help us stay united in our pursuit of God's will and the Mission of Christ.