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Jesus Christ the same, Yesterday, Today and Forever - this was the theme of the recently held silver jubilee convention of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, at Mumbai. Fr.Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM (cap) the Papal preacher, and Ralph Martin, one of the world's leading lay leaders, were the main speakers. It was a real pleasure to listen to these gifted Spirit-filled men. The message was loud and clear: there is no name other than Jesus, which can bring peace, joy and fulfilment to this world. We have printed some reviews of the convention for the benefit of those who could not attend.
The convention was also another step towards the celebration of Jubilee Year 2000 , officially called "Yesu Christ Jayanthi 2000". The Church is preparing for 25th of December 2000, when it will gift Jesus a more Christian world. The road to this goal will be paved with more retreats, conferences, conventions, outreaches and pilgrimages . In the Apostolic Letter 'Tertio Millennio Adveniente', the Holy Father Pope John Paul II invites the Church to respond to the call of the Holy Spirit for the renewal of the Christian life and mission in the world. At an individual level we are challenged to respond in our own unique ways to the Spirit of Jesus during this period, so crucial to the nation and the Church in this country. Are you and your group part of this mighty task? Are you giving your all to the preparation of the Church for 25th of December 2000 AD? If not, now is the time, the springtime of evangelisation, when we wait not for someone else to motivate us, but galvanise our prayer groups and communities, and evangelise with a new fervour, with creative methods and expressions. You may write to The Alternative about your plans and activities to serve as an inspiration to the rest of the community .
Meanwhile, a change in our editorial team has occurred: Joseph George, our editor, has left for South Africa. Having been blessed with a person who worked enthusiastically and tirelessly for the magazine, we now await the Lord's provision of an alternative for the Alternative! We invite you to join us in prayer for a suitable replacement.
Nirmal Raj
We may trace the right roots, plan wise moves, make great strides and even much fame:
But IF - in all that - WE MISS TO LOVE, WE'VE MISSED THE WAY!
We could have very clear and broad visions:
But IF WE CAN'T look at others with LOVE,
We are blissfully blind to God's Kingdom!
We may be captivating personalities,
But IF WE ARE NOT consciously LOVING persons,
We could feel awfully lonesome and be perpetually lost!
We may labour tirelessly for years in our fields:
But IF WE DO NOT "Serve one another in LOVE"
That is workaholism - a DEADLY vice, not a saving grace!
We may put away the past,
But, IF WE DO NOT "put on LOVE" now,
We can forget about a bright future, and life after death!
We may have the latest news, techniques, models, etc.
But IF IN LOVE, we don't give the Good news of LOVE concretely,
and preferably to the POOR, it would be bad news too late!
We may know a real lot,
But IF WE DO NOT experience True LOVE,
How can we ever be happy here and hereafter!
We could be aware of many things
And carry out many works at a time
But IF WE DON'T LOVE much, that awareness & action won't spell SALVATION!
We may reach pinnacles of piety,
But, IF WE DON'T strike the depths of LOVE,
Those heights won't get us closer to heaven!
Br. Mark B. S.J
As in the case of most early Christian hymns, the Gloria begins with a Biblical phrase: "Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people in earth". After the Penitential Rite the mood is such, that the people of God come to glorify God anew.
The Gloria is composed of two parts, one praising God and the other invoking Christ. The act of glorifying God is done in its simplest form - through a series of expressions of praise. More than that, we mortals cannot do. Perhaps the most striking thing about the Gloria is the idea that we thank God not for what He has done but for His great glory itself. After all the fact that God has revealed His glory to us in nature and in history is the most important basis not only for our adoration but also for our gratitude.
The second part consists of invocations to Christ. Christ's praise are sung both for His divinity and His humanity. The hymn glorifies Christ as the Lord.
In the final verse of the second part the Holy Spirit is mentioned along with the Father, thus concluding the hymn fittingly on a Trinitarian note. The hymn really is a great doxology.
The Collect
The opening prayer is called the Collect because it collects or brings the Introductory rite to a climax . This prayer is directed to the Father and only exceptionally is it addressed to Christ, because in the Eucharist, Christ plays the role of the mediator between God and man.
The opening prayer is a petition in character. It could be an act of adoration, or thanksgiving, but because the whole of the Eucharist is a thanksgiving, the prayer is more of a petition. But there is praise as well as it is seen in the concluding words, "We make this prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ your son who lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
A tour is a sightseeing trip but a pilgrimage to Israel is something different. You prepare for it with a hope in your heart, with an anticipation that since you are going to the homeland of Jesus, you will have an experience of a PERSON and the impact He made 2000 years ago in Israel will rub off on you. And you will not be disappointed.
The eight-day pilgrimage to Israel in April '97 had all of these elements. We experienced the aura at the place where Jesus was born, lived, taught, prayed, wept, agonised and died 2,000 years ago. The Gospels came alive for us.
Let us share briefly some of our experiences. Israel is called the land of milk and honey; the land of olive groves, vineyards, orange trees, mustard, figs, dates and rich green pasture. For the first four days, we were based in Natanya, a beautiful holiday resort on the Mediterranean. From there we visited Nazareth, to see the Church of Visitation and the Basilica of Annunciation. After a brief time of prayer we ascended by taxi the twisting hill roads to Mount Tabor, where Jesus was transfigured. This church overlooks the Jesreel Valley. From there we descended towards the Sea of Galilee, an indescribable sheet of blue and calm waters. After an exciting and sing song boat ride, we walked as Christ walked along the shores of the same lake and heard His voice "Come follow me".
After visiting the church of Beatitudes, we entered the River Jordan to renew our baptismal vows. From there we proceeded to Bethlehem, a place of narrow and steep streets. At the Basilica of the nativity, we stoop low to enter through the door of humility to see the rough caves where Jesus was born. We also visited Cana, Jesus' synagogue, Peter's house, Tabgha, where Jesus multiplied the fish and the loaves, Masada, Golan heights, Dead Sea and finally Jerusalem. We were blessed to celebrate the Eucharist at the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive trees.
At the end of the journey we had a unique experience when we visited a Kibbutz. We marvelled at the way in which around 500 Jews shared and lived together. The pilgrimage is over, but the sense of the privilege of visiting the homeland of Jesus will always be with us.
Cyril & Clare Goveas
After the three glorious days of the convention, the priests and bishops attended a four-day retreat at St.Pius X seminary at Goregaon. After the milling crowds of the convention, the quiet and secluded atmosphere of the seminary was just ideal.
The participants in this retreat were 300 priests, 34 bishops and cardinal Simon Pimenta. The retreat preacher was Fr.Catalamessa, the preacher to the Holy Father and the curia cardinals for 18 years. To have spent four days in the company of this man of God was a benediction in itself. Being able to listen to his joyfully anointed preaching was the experience of a lifetime. We felt that we were getting the distilled essence of his talks to the papal household and his weekly talk to the nation on Italian TV. Music was an important part of the retreat. With experts to lead us, the 300 priests sang with gusto. The melodious tunes kept us all on our toes and made the retreat a most enjoyable experience.
During the course of the retreat we received the shocking news of the earthquake in Jabalpur and its disastrous consequences. A love offering was taken up instantly and Rs.27,000 was handed over to the priests from Jabalpur.
The climax of the retreat was the final mass and baptism in the Holy Spirit. We were quite surprised to hear that many of the bishops and priests had never before experienced the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. They were prayed over first and then the rest of us were prayed over. We can now expect a greater openness to the Renewal on the part of bishops and priests.
Here's something for those who could not attend the retreat and yet would like to share in the graces. A book named - "Life in the Lordship of Jesus Christ" contains Father's teachings and his commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. It is available in most book stalls and is something every priest should possess.
Fr.E.Cleary C.Ss.R
+Bishop Valerian D'Souza
Bishop of Poona
When we speak of Jesus we know that He is the Son of God who became man. We dwell on the Father-Son relationship and are apt to forget that it is a Father-Son-Spirit relationship.
We know from scripture and profess our faith that Jesus was "conceived by the Power of the Holy Spirit". In other words Jesus owes his human nature to the Holy Spirit. Without the action of the Spirit there would have been no Jesus. We call Jesus the Christ, which means the anointed One. In the Old Testament kings were anointed by prophets or priests. Priests too were anointed. At the command of Yahweh (Ex 29:7) Moses anointed Aaron (Lev 8:12). But only Jesus was anointed by the Father Himself and not by any human being. The Father anointed Him with the Holy Spirit.
In his first appearance in a synagogue Jesus read Is 61:1-2; "the Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me..." and after completing that text proclaimed "This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen". (Lk 4:21)
Peter explaining to the Roman Centurion Cornelius who Jesus was teaches "God had anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power..." (Acts 10:38) This brings us to an important question. How was Jesus able to perform miracles? Fore most of us the answer is simple. "Because He was the Son of God. He was divine, hence almighty". The latter part is true. He was divine, but he performed signs and wonders as MAN filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Himself testifies to this when they accuse him of casting out devils by the power of Beelzebul. "But if it is by the spirit of God that I cast out devils, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you" (Mt 12:28)
The Church, right from the beginning had the same conviction. Luke writes "And the Power of the Lord was behind his works of healing". (5:17) Peter tells Cornelius in continuation of what was quoted above "and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil" (Acts 10:38) Peter and Luke do not say "because He was God" but attribute his power to God, which means the Holy Spirit.
The relationship between Jesus and the Holy Spirit is so close and intimate that Paul does not separate life in Christ and life in the Spirit. "Christ lives in us" (Gal 2:20) and it is also the Spirit who lives in us (Rom 8:11). To be "in Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:1) is to live in the Spirit. (Rom 8:5)
Jesus loves us so much that He promised us the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:16, 15:26) and has fulfilled that promise. Just as He was filled with the Spirit we too can be filled with the Spirit. We are capable of great wonders for Jesus promised us, "I tell you most solemnly, whoever believes in me will perform the same works as I do myself, he will perform even greater works, because I am going to the Father" (Jn 14:12). In other words Jesus promised us that, once He went to the Father, He would send His Holy Spirit and then we could do great deeds.
We have seen in his relationship to Jesus, what the Holy Spirit accomplished in and through Jesus. What effect does the presence of the Holy Spirit in us have on our lives?
"This is our greatest apostolic need today - not better planning, better equipment, better surveys, better conversion techniques (if such things exist at all !!!) but better men; a whole new brand of men whose lives are evidently charged with the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit." (Anthony de Mello)
The silver jubilee convention of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which was held in Mumbai, was an exclusive experience. The shooting stars and comets which appeared the previous evening were a sign that God had something really good in store for us and that a great event was about to take place. The national convention was attended by approximately 25,000 people, of which more than 3,000 delegates were from all over India and the rest of them from various other countries. The main speakers were Fr.Raniero Cantalamessa and Ralph Martin who shared the Word of God with authority and reached out to the people in a simple but powerful way. A good number of priests, bishops and Cardinal Pimenta were also present at the convention and had a wonderful experience.
The main themes of the convention were: Jesus was raised for our justification-our source of hope" and "The role of the Holy Spirit in the Catholic Church today and the urgency of new evangelisation and freedom in Christ". The spirit-filled praise and worship sessions were led by representatives of different regions and in different languages.
The Youth from Kerala staged many skits on themes which ranged from the Book of Genesis to life in today's world. The bright costumes and the digital music enlivened the programme. The hand of the Lord was evident through the innumerable healings during the two healing sessions conducted by Fr.Rufus for inner healing, and Trevor Louis for physical healing. The healings were proof of the power of God, and the presence of Jesus touched all those present.
The workshops conducted for various sections of people brought home the countless ways in which people could be reached with the Good News. The ill effects of the media and the problems of the youth and others were dealt with.
With prayers offered for all sections of people for their spiritual and emotional needs, Ralph Martin invited the congregation to commit themselves to the Person of Jesus.
The convention concluded with each and every delegate realising the enormousness of the task which lay ahead of them.
Vidya Joseph.
As the curtains went up to celebrate the "Silver Jubilee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal", at the convention held at Mumbai, a crowd of 25,000 clapped, lifted their hands and sang the theme song of the convention "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever" (Heb:13:8). This was also the tenth National Convention of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in India and was held at the Reclamation grounds in Bandra from May 15-18, '97. The Word of God, which was expounded through the anointed teachings of Fr.Raniero Cantalamessa, the papal preacher, and Ralph Martin, a dynamic lay leader and other speakers from India, helped us to experience the transforming power of God's word.
I was touched by Fr.Cantalamessa's teaching on Pentecost, which brought home to me a new insight. He said that the story of Pentecost is not merely a reading or a quotation from the scriptures but a reality. The new Pentecost can be experienced every day, firstly through the Eucharist and then through ongoing repentance. By repeating the words of Jesus - "this is my body and this is my blood of the new covenant", the miracle of the bread becoming his body and the wine becoming his blood takes place. Being accountable for our sins leads us to repentance which allows God to create a contrite heart in us. St.Augustine said:"One who created you without you cannot save you without you". God, in his majesty and power, cannot make a contrite heart without you.
Fr.Cantelamessa also prayed for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and for a new Pentecost during the Eucharistic celebration on the feast of Pentecost.
Yvonne Pereira.
Binny John
Holiness Retreat
A week long growth retreat was conducted by Br. Thomas Paul for around 500 participants at the Renewal Retreat Centre in the third week of May. The theme of the retreat was "Holiness".
All Night Vigils
The Bangalore Service Team in a significant move, decided to discontinue the bi-monthly night vigils at St. Mary's Basilica. Instead, it was decided to have three major all-Bangalore Charismatic night vigils annually -- on Independence eve, Republic Day eve and Pentecost Sunday.
Mini vigils
Parish Renewal cannot be achieved only through prayer meetings and Life in the Spirit Seminars. Hence, a new venture has been launched by the leaders of the renewal who will organise and initiate mini-vigils (on a bi-monthly basis) at different locations to be conducted by the local prayer groups.
A Bangalore Youth Pastoral Team
(B.Y.P.T.) has been formed by the B.S.T. as a pastoral body to oversee the different youth activities of the Charismatic Renewal in Bangalore. It comprises youth who are or were active in the Charismatic Renewal in Bangalore.Youth Pastoral Team
"A man who dosen't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them"
Editor: Nirmal Raj
Associate Editor: Anil Mascarenhas
Manuscript Co-ordinater:
Spiritual Director: Fr. E. Cleary C.Ss.R.
Postal Address: The Alternative, 67, Hutchins Road, St. Thomas Town, Bangalore 560 084.
Ph:091 80 547 4844,
Published by:The Karnataka Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services.
e-mail can be sent to Ronnie Johnson at : ronnie.johnson@usa.net
Home Page: http://www.oocities.org/Athens/2960/alt.htm
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