COME AND GO: The Call and the Commission' 

By Alex Rebello

Publisher: Claretian Publications, Bangalore

ISBN: 9788189851606 Price: Rs 100.00

Available in Mumbai at St Paul's Bookshop and Daughters of St Paul, Bandra

This book could well be called "The Homecoming" if only because it is the first that Msgr Alex has written, having returned to Mumbai after exercising his Priestly Ministry on loan to the Diocese of Wrexham in Wales. The first day of the week marked the Resurrection of the Lord. His 22nd publication marks the beginning of another set of Seven, coming as it does after the Sabbath Rest, the beginning of another octave. In this opusculum, as he calls it, we come face to face with the distilled essence of the author's spiritual insights over the years. More explicitly than in his other writings, he sets out to take us on a journey from 'words' to the WORD, and then from WORD into Silence.

The Journey through the octave is through the 'scale' of imperfection. We come to the Lord as we are. The eight chapters each provide their unique key signature. We may choose to run through the notes of the musical scale in order, or perhaps, attracted by the tone colour of a particular musical note, choose to begin with what we are comfortable. Nevertheless, the suggestion of the author that we follow the chronological sequence of Listening, BEING with, Conversing, and finally Responding to the LORD's invitation to "Come" is not to be taken lightly. This is especially true if we use this as the springboard for contemplative prayer.

The characters presented are mirrors whose purpose is to reflect and throw light, not tell us what to do. What the author underlines every now and then is the question we must ask ourselves – what is happening to me as I read this passage? We will then slowly begin to recognise ourselves in the Scriptures as we read them. Very subtly, this book succeeds in outlining for us the process and practice of Lectio Divina. We begin to realise that it is not we who are reading the Scriptures, but rather find that we are being read by them instead. Which is why the book becomes more useful if we begin by prayerfully reading the Scripture Passage referred to at the beginning of each chapter.

What do we gain by reading the book? Not a lot, if you consider that the paralytic at the pool lost a good living by being cured. The "Conversation" that is part of the process of interiorising the Scriptures is brought back to its original meaning. It is not 'about talking to God,' but rather allowing ourselves to "be converted" – the turning around which is part of the Response that follows. "I cannot be like someone who makes a holocaust of himself in fervour, and then secretly searches for some unburned pieces of flesh!"

The Eighth day is the Day of the Lord, the Day of the Resurrection. Fittingly, this last reflection brings us back to the core of discipleship. It is all about 'recognising' the LORD and being 'recognised by Him'. It lies at the heart of every reflection that precedes it. How true it is that "nearness comes not from distance, but from recognition." This happens (as the author points out) when we let go of everything we have, even our ideas and images of God. God is not to be possessed, but proclaimed.

The Season of Advent seems an appropriate time to prayerfully read this book. Although there is no reference to the LORD's coming in history that we celebrate, it does essentially bring us back to the fact that the LORD has already come, but is waiting for us to recognise Him. May the reading of this book open our eyes to behold the LORD who dwells within us. May the recorded encounters of those who met Him in the flesh allow the LORD of history to become enfleshed within us, so that we who have heeded the invitation in faith to "Come", may "Go" and joyfully proclaim what we have heard and experienced.

Christopher Mendonca