A
Ship is always safe at shore. But that is not what ships are built for.
Albert Einstein.
We
live in a dynamic universe, which is constantly evolving. Our founding father
St Ignatius believed in a God who is dynamic, a God who continues to labour in
his creation. As I understand creation is an ongoing activity of transforming
chaos into cosmos. Teilhard de Chardin sees the whole creation moving with
direction towards the Omega point. And it is there that the creation meets
Christ its Saviour.
As
Teilhard says, I too believe that whole of creation is on a spiritual
pilgrimage to the divine. Thus persons we meet on our life journey are not mere
flesh and blood rather, they are spiritual co-pilgrims. We as religious and
especially as Jesuits, have a special role to play in this spiritual pilgrimage
of creation to its creator.
Our
world is like a vast sea where people are moving from one shore to the other. A
ship that carries them shore to shore, has variety of people- young and old,
sick and healthy, lifeless and enthusiastic, those who know their destiny and
interested to reach there and those who are not sure where they are going and
why? A ship provides space to everyone and no matter what state or stage they
are in, leads them to a common destiny.
Dear
outgoing Jesuit brothers, as you move into your regency having spent two years
of philosophical studies in this house, I wish that you, to be like a ship,
which carries people from one shore to
the other and provides its space to all.
2 years of your stay was like building a ship and it’s time now where ship
needs to move, where it is supposed to be- to the deep waters. As you will soon
be incorporated into the Jesuit mission in a very concrete manner, society
expects you to accompany people in their pilgrimage to the divine. Like a ship
taking people from one shore to the other, you too are invited to help people
move from darkness to light, superficiality to depth , hopelessness to hope and
optimism and above all to the divine.
As
the ship moves into the deep sea, there will be times when it’s hit bit heavy
storms. At times the ship might find it hard to find its direction due to bad
weather. Similarly, during your days of regency, there may be moments of
hardships and doubt, times when you are unsure and lack hope in life. Those
will be the most precious moments of your life; for it is there you learn to
trust your captain. I am sure you know of your captain, who said, ask and you
shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened. Never hesitate to approach him for he knows
even before you ask him.
As
the ship sails deep into the sea, it will also meet with newer horizons that
would surprise and elate. As you move on, dear brothers know that newer and
brighter horizons are awaiting you on your journey of life.
As
you move on with your spiritual pilgrimage of life, in the mission of
accompanying people, we the members of DNC Community, wish and pray that you may
encounter and experience the divine on your way. May the son of a carpenter
from Bethlehem, in his fullness of being, be a source of strength and be a
guiding light. We wish you a very meaningful and an enriching life ahead.
One
last word…
What you are
today is God’s gift to you.
What you become
on your journey, for the co-pilgrims, will be your gift to God.
YES Ryan, As the ship sails deep into the sea, it will also meet with newer horizons that would surprise and elate. I too wish them to move on, remembering that there are big ships and small ships. But the best ship of all is FRIENDSHIP........ I am indeed grateful and thankful for all that they have been to me at DNC....in the name of FRIENDSHIP....~~~......
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