Homilies and Reflections...

  Catholic Priesthood... Though its origin from Jesus is very much doubtful other than the only and far brought attribution of it to him according to the order of Melchizedek, the lived priesthood appears to be more of parish administration, but for the rather few recent charismatic preachers! The only prayer or spiritual activity is the daily Eucharist and once in a while administration of sacraments and sacramentals! Even this looks like reading from a book without any spiritual disposition... He lives, behaves, talks like any other but for his rarely used habit or other vestments... He seemingly doesn't inspire spiritual disposition... This calls for a change of perception leading to formation to realize Jesus like life regularly interspersed with prayer alone in the hills and wilderness. Though he lived and moved with everyone, every category his life radiating divinity with its unquestionable authority. He alone is our model as he asserted, "But you are not to be called r...

Priesthood and celibacy... [  [18:28, 27/09/2025] Pankiras Arulappan: ] (Clerical celibacy in Christianity... developed over centuries. It was encouraged from the 4th century, but made mandatory in the Western (Latin) Church at the Second Lateran Council in 1139 only. However, in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches married men can be ordained priests (but not bishops). Once ordained,  they cannot marry. And Bishops are chosen from celibate monks. Most of the religions including Jewism don't mandate celibacy for priesthood. As per the stand of Jesus and traditions of most of the religions,  denying priesthood for someone who wants to marry is not natural and justifiable either. Moreover, this unnatural and rather impossible requirement perpetrates insincerity and dishonesty among priests which pervades in every sphere of their lives. This we need to look in the context of Jesus fulfilling concept of law and prophets. He said, "You have heard that it was...

 പ്രേമപരവശൻ Am reading a collection of short stories of Herman Hesse, translated  into Malayalam titled, പുല്ലാങ്കുഴൽ സ്വപ്നം. All wonderful stories! However, the one i have just finished is 'പ്രേമപരവശൻ', looks awkwardly strange suggesting curious things which he seemingly concludes as myths! He hints at healing brought out due to an oath to god and that seems still stranger that the girl, whom the hero പ്രേമപരവശൻ, was in maddening love with, to marry him but none! Failing in all his attempts, he takes resort to black magic to win her by all means. Seemingly she was effectively influenced to the extent of becoming mad after him! Her desperate parents take her to a godman who exorcises the possessing demon! Finally the young man somehow meets her and she consoles him to wait till they appear before god when she promises him to marry! It looks strange from the pen of Hesse that he suggests divine love as against human love and even marrying god! John in his letter states as a li...

  ക്രിസ്തുമസ് മനുഷ്യാ വതാരത്തിന്റെ 'കഥ' യാണല്ലോ!  യേശുവിന്റെ വ്യത്യസ്ത മായ ഒരു കഥ ജോസഫ് നെറ്റിയാടന്റെ 'ജോസഫ് എന്ന തച്ചൻ' എന്ന അതി സുന്ദരമായ നോവൽ അവതരിപ്പിക്കുണ്ട്. അതിൽ ഒരിടത്ത് ഏതാണ്ടിങ്ങനെ പറയുന്നു: 'മനുഷ്യർക്ക് അനുകരിക്കാൻ പറ്റാത്ത രീതിയിൽ 'വിശുദ്ധരെ' അവതരിപ്പിക്കാറുണ്ട്!'  ഇതുതന്നെയാണ് ദൈവങ്ങളുടെ മനുഷ്യാ വതാരങ്ങളെക്കുറിച്ചും പറയാവുന്നതും! ദൈവങ്ങൾക്ക് കഴിയാ ത്തതൊന്നുമില്ലെന്നിരി ക്കെ, മനുഷ്യാവതാരങ്ങ ളിൽ എന്തിനിത്ര അതിശ യോക്തി, അസാധാരണ ത്വം!  കന്യകാജനനം തൊട്ടുള്ള കാര്യങ്ങളൊക്കെ മുക ളിൽ പറഞ്ഞ നിലയ്ക്ക ല്ലാതെ മറ്റെങ്ങനെയാണ് എടുക്കാനാവുക? ദൈവം മനുഷ്യസൃഷ്ടി യെന്ന് നമ്മുടെ കുഞ്ഞു ണ്ണി മാഷ് പറയാൻ ധൈര്യ പ്പെട്ടതിൽ കഴമ്പില്ലേ എന്നൊരു സംശയം! 'ആറാം ദിവസം ദൈവം  മണ്ണാല്‍ സൃഷ്ടിച്ചു മര്‍ത്യനെ/ ഏഴാം ദിവസം മര്‍ത്യന്‍ കല്ലാല്‍ ദൈവത്തെയും തഥാ.'  ഇനി, ദൈവമാണ് മനുഷ്യനെ സൃഷ്ടിച്ച തെങ്കിൽ, അത് അവൻ/ അവൾ ദൈവമാകാനാ ണ്, യേശു ആയതു പോലെ, കാരണം അവിടുന്ന് അവരെ സൃഷ്ടിച്ചത് 'തന്റെ ഛായായിലാ'ണെന്ന് ഉല്പത്തി 1:27 ഉം, '... നിങ്ങൾ പരിശുദ്ധരായിരി ക്കുവിൻ. എന്തെന്നാൽ, ...

  Dear Archbishop, Greetings! With a heavy and aching heart, Fr. John Victor informed me that he is relieved from office as Parish Priest of Lourdepuram, where he was appointed hardly four months ago, after his ministry in the UK.  I am unaware of the transactions between him and the archdiocese.  However, as one who happened to live with him here, I cannot but express my concern and solidarity with him, a brother priest. This note comes from that mind. Since quite some time he has been wandering, as a “Vagus” in his own words, undergoing mental agony which could burst out at any time. Among the many wounded sheep, he may be just another and the archdiocese could get along without them, though Jesus came to seek such as they.    When he is removed from office with no further assignment, it could be nothing but a punishment. And if it happens to be published as usual in the Chancery page of “Samanwaya”, it could become a cause for celebration for all who wer...

 [10:03, 04/10/2025] Pankiras Arulappan: Good afternoon, Labrin. Hope, you are fine. This is something personal, of course, of yours... You were one of those few priests with a sense of social commitment, though of your odd version, and seeming self respect. Now, you seem to have given up that self respect for some flimsy reasons thereby making people doubt your social commitment too. Let me make it clear and direct. What is your commitment to the parish given to you! You are seen most of the time in the priests' home and at fixed hours at the Law Academy!  You seemingly are there in the parish for the daily Eucharist and other fixed engagements making people wonder about your residence. Pongumoodu has a rather good rectory, recently air conditioned too. Quite many priests of various age groups and 'prominence' lived there comfortably. You seem to be so attached, if not addicted, to the food served here... Your research seems to be only a pretext to spend most of your time ...