I am writing this in my office in Delhi at 1.28 am. Just finished going through eleven contributions on the reading habit—from religious, priests, two lay women, one lay man. How I wish we could spread this sort of good “virus” so that more and more people really open books, discover the hidden treasures that lie therein, and got in touch with their own incredible potential more fully. Every one of the writers speaks of the huge and lovely difference reading has made to their lives. They are aware of the poor reading habits of many who are supposed to teach and lead (priests and religious). They have practical suggestions for various age groups.
Read and see for yourselves.
We, who have such a long (and expensive) residential training behind us, while so many around us are either deprived of education, or libraries, of meeting good teachers—what do we do with all these opportunities? Is our level of awareness, of conversation, of impact significantly deeper and vaster than the majority who never had access to so much opportunity?
Our writers have noticed the prevalence of gossip and petty talk that tend to dominate where serious reading and grown-up concerns are weak or missing.
They are aware of the strides made by educated lay people, compared to whom many of us sadly lag behind. Gone—gone long, long ago—are the days when a priest with an average undergraduate degree or a sister who could teach in school were among the most educated persons in a village. Thank God such days are gone.
I remember reading this sensible and half-humorous comment on modes of travel. When motor cars and trains appeared, we did not update the bullock cart. The age of the bullock cart was gone. We needed to step into a new era.
Today, we live in a world of educated lay people and smart youngsters in touch with the brightest in the world. To lead them, we need to cultivate our mind. The witness of a Christ-like life of genuine love, compassion, simplicity and truthfulness remains the core issue, of course. Both the scholar and the mentally deficient person are equally precious before God.
But, precisely to know what is going on, to understand what happens around us, and how the world operates, to train leaders through our schools and colleges and media ministry, to deal with those who think differently from us—for all this, we need to cultivate the mind. We need to read. We need to write—and communicate in as many ways as we can, and do it intelligently and effectively.
May those in our care in our institutions be able to look up to us.
May a young person who joins our community hear conversations that inspire—not gossip, not repeated discussions on food and cricket, and who is getting transferred where. While we put healthy food on their plate, may we also feed their mind with a gripping diet that thrills them, and their hearts with a passion for a good life.
If not, the sad experience of a genuine and inspiring woman religious I know can come true. Being intelligent and good-looking, she was expected by her parents to study, get married, and stay close to them. But she was inspired by the example of a Sister who taught her, and insisted on joining religious life. With great reluctance, the family finally gave their consent. What happened then? “I thought I would become better after joining the convent. I was shocked to see that I was becoming worse. The kind of conversations and relationships that I saw were not what I expected. I was better at home. This was my first discovery: If I am not careful, I will become worse in religious life.”
May that not happen to any young person joining what claims to be a tested road to a holier life, in the company of others who also seek God and want to serve.
One key element—although not the most important—in this complicated and highly structured life that says no to two of life’s most beautiful pursuits (spousal love and parenthood) is the right development of the mind. What we consume, what we give out, and how we speak, write and do other creative tasks, shows us where our mind is, and what it is filled with.
May what our minds dwell on be in line with what we profess.
May what comes out of our heart and mind be life-giving.
The biggest assets in our life and ministry are not land, computers, smart phones and bank accounts, but a good, well-formed mind following a heart centred on God. People who live with us and work with us can see it soon enough.
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