THE FOURTH APE

 

MY THOUGHTS ON GANPATI

 

"Ganpati Bappa Morya,.....".

This is the cry that resounds in the bylanes and arterial roads of Goa every September. Along with the explosion of fireworks  and trance music played to rouse the dead to life!

Many Hindu households decorate their homes with pandals to welcome the Elephant God Ganesha. Who is Ganesha? Why do Hindus love him so much? And why do they throw him in the water after a few days? 

I am a Catholic but have lived amongst my Hindu brethren in Mumbai as a child and young adult before uprooting myself to come and live here in Goa. In Mumbai, we got to see the immersion ceremony only on television. So, when I came to Goa, I was in for a big surprise. Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations here are a BIG BANG! 

But before I explain what I mean, let me give you a brief history of the celebration of this great occasion which overshadows even the celebration of Deepavali. 

Why 10 days? 

There are great lessons to learn from the visit of Ganesha to homes that welcome him.

Why does the state of Maharashtra celebrate this festival in such grandeur?

WHAT PREPARATION DO THE HINDUS DO FOR THIS FESTIVAL?

https://mayoorschooljaipur.org/why-is-ganesh-chaturthi-celebrated-for-10-days

https://indianculture.gov.in/food-and-culture/food-festivals/ganesh-chaturthi-festival-hope-and-prosperity

And now to my comments on the BIG BANG that the Ganesh festival is. 

I live in a village called Bastora. Here, the Hindu community bring community idols of Ganesha as well as individual ones. Very few immerse their idols after a day and half which is minimum prescription for keeping it. Most keep for five days as it is quite expensive for keep for entire 10 days. If larger communities come together, they have a Sarvajanik idol and those are immersed on the eleventh day. In our village, I don't think we have Sarvajanik idols. 

Yesterday night, the idols made their way at around 2 am to the nearby waterhole which is about half a kilometre from where I stay. The music and the fireworks however were disappointing. Rather than create a prayerful atmosphere, they played trance music which is very disturbing for heart patients. At 2 am, a dignified procession would have been more appropriate. Loud bombs were lit, creating havoc for hours with the neighborhood dogs who were running for their lives and being attacked by other dogs if they encroached on their territory. Children were also wilfully throwing bombs in the direction of the dogs just for fun. I do believe Lord Ganesha, if he truly exists, would be horrified! He was a lover of animals, being half animal himself, and had a mouse for his 'vehicle'.  

There is a curfew in place on paper but the authorities seem to be deafened by the noise of the fireworks. For all we know, they too must be busy drinking 'bhang' and assisting in the big BANG! 

A true religion respects God and men alike. It cares for the environment and seeks to maintain peace and harmony. All those who practise this true religion therefore must adhere to the rules and regulations prescribed in their Holy Book. 

Where in the Bhagavad Gita or the Vedas do you find the prescription of fireworks and trance music? Instead, we see shlokas and bhajans advocated. The use of simple instruments like the dholak and cymbals are to be used, not high tech DJ instruments more suited to a hard rock concert. 

I particularly enjoy watching the women dancing behind the palki but at 2 am in the morning?? Where is the modesty in that? And why do the men walk on the streets with just a dhoti, showing off their hairy chests? It's embarrassing to say the least. 

I do pray that Lord Ganesha, if he exists, give people  enlightenment through the sacred scriptures to change and revert to the olden times. I'm sure even the late Lokmanya Tilak would be covering his ears these days. 

To end I would like to translate the famous slogan that rings out during the immersion procession:

Ganapati Bappa Morya 

Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya

In the chant "Ganpati Bappa Morya," the word Morya refers to the revered saint Morya Gosavi, an ardent devotee of Lord Ganesha whose life and legacy are deeply celebrated in Maharashtra and among Ganesh worshippers.

By chanting "Ganpati Bappa Morya," devotees call upon the blessings of both Lord Ganesha and commemorate the devotion of Morya Gosavi.

Who Was Morya Gosavi?

Morya Gosavi was a highly venerated Ganesh devotee and is regarded as the chief spiritual progenitor among the Ganapatya sect, which considers Ganesha as Supreme.

Legends say Morya moved from Morgaon to Chinchwad, where he established a famed Ganesha temple, and his legacy is still celebrated during Ganesh Chaturthi.

The whole chant is “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya” (Come soon next year!), linking the festival's spirit with both Lord Ganesha’s blessings and Morya Gosavi’s devotion.

THE CHRISTMAS COAT

 *The Christmas Coat*

_An old man fumbled around one day_

_In a women’s clothing store,_

_He’d found his wife a Christmas coat_

_And was headed for the door……_

_When he bumped into a little boy_

_That looked like he was lost,_

_And he said, “Mister, can you help me_

_Find out how much something costs?’_

_‘Here it is almost Christmas_

_And the nights are gettin cold,_

_Winter time is on us_

_And my mom don’t have a coat,_

_"I’ve been workin' for the neighbors_

_And saving for some time...”_

_And in his tiny outstretched hand_

_Was a dollar and a dime._

_The man's gaze went from that big-eyed boy_

_To that pretty Christmas coat,_

_And he finally cleared away the lump_

_That had gathered in his throat,_

_He said, “Son, that’s just what this coat costs;_

_We’re lucky that we found ‘er”_

_And he turned around and gave a wink_

_To the lady at the counter._

_She put it in a pretty box_

_And wrapped it up just so,_

_And went off in the back  and found_

_A big red Christmas bow,_

_The boy said, “I thank you for your help, sir_

_And I kindly thank you, ma’am;_

_I hope y’all are gonna have a big Christmas_

_"'Cause now I know *I* am!”_

_Well, the old man walked home busted_

_Except for the dollar and the dime,_

_Thinkin' he’d just have to buy_

_The coat another time._

_He told his wife that Christmas that year_

_Wouldn’t be much fun,_

_And he gently took her in his arms_

_And told her what he’d done._

_She said, “Why, you old softie,_

_I wouldn’t trade you for a farm,_

_I’ve got two or three old coats with me_

_And your love to keep me warm!“_

_She put that money in a matchbox_

_And placed it beneath their tree,_

_And said, “That's the grandest, sweetest gift_

_You’ve ever given me!”_

_The years went by, as years will do_

_When people are in love,_

_Their marriage was a golden bond_

_That was forged by God above;_

_Then one day came some bitter news_

_That filled his heart with fright_

_The doctor told the old man’s wife:_

_She was going to lose her sight!_

_He said, “There’s an operation we can do_

_But it puts me on the spot…._

_'Cause it’s quite a complex procedure_

_And it’s going to cost a lot!”_

_The old man said, “Doctor, I’m a failure_

_I’ve made no preparation……_

_We just don’t have the money_

_For that kind of operation!”_

_The doctor had the strangest look_

_And he sat there for a while,_

_And then he slowly nodded_

_And he broke out in a smile….._

_He said “Why, sir, you can’t fool me,_

_You’re a very wealthy man!_

_You long ago invested_

_In the world’s best savings plan!”_

_I’ll see she gets the best of care_

_She’s going to be just fine!_

_And the total cost to you, old friend_

_Is a dollar and a dime.”_

_The old man stared in disbelief_

_Then he recognized that smile….._

_The one he’d seen those years ago_

_On a loving, thoughtful child….._

_The doctor said, “What you gave me that day_

_Was more than just a coat,_

_You gave me the gift of giving,_

_And you gave my mother hope!_

_My mother’d been mistreated_

_Neglected and abused,_

_But she gave life just one more chance_

_And it was all because of you!_ ❤️❤️

_Now every year, she takes that coat_

_And lays it beneath our tree,_

_It represents to us the things_

_That Christmas ought to be._

_She says that when we leave this world_

_For a better home someday,_

_The only things that we’ll take with us_

_Are the things we gave away!”_

❤️🧚🏽‍♀️❤️

 WANT TO BE A SAINT?????

GO TO BED ON TIME...

ORDINARY IN AN EXTRAORDINARY WAY!

On one occasion the great English writer, scholar and saint, Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801-1890) was asked on how one could become a saint. This holy but very practical man gave a short but clear recipe for holiness--- here we have it for your own motivation to pursue holiness!

First, he said:  “Get to bed on time!”  This may take many by surprise, but on second thought it should not. Why? If we do not get sufficient rest our body will be tired; we will be dragging ourselves through the day. Most likely we will be impatient and end up by being short and snapping at people, especially those with whom we live!  Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and must be treated properly through proper rest!

Second, Newman stated that upon waking we should offer our first thoughts to God, and consecrate the day to His service.  Today we might call this the Morning Offering.  In this prayer we offer all to Jesus though the Immaculate Heart of Mary. May all our words, deeds, and even intentions be done for the honor and glory of God and for the salvation of souls.

Third, Cardinal Newman suggested that we eat to the honor and glory of God.  St. Paul puts it this way: “Whether you eat or drink do all for the honor and glory of God.”  When we eat may we never be moved by passion and gluttony but always be directed by faith and reason!

Fourth, with regard to immoral and impure thoughts—we all struggle with them in one form or another—they should be rejected immediately. Are bad thoughts sins, many wonder!  Once a priest asked a man if he entertained bad thoughts.  The man quickly responded:  “No they entertained me!”  As soon as we are aware of immodest or indecent thoughts we must reject and expel them from our mind as quickly as possible through a short and fervent prayer and a strong act of the will!

Fifth, Blessed John Henry recommended that we make a fervent Eucharistic visit. Remember that he lived in Protestant England in the 19th century where there was not an abundance of Catholic Churches and not too many daily Masses. For that reason a fervent visit to the Eucharistic Lord would serve to keep the heart’s love enkindled for the Lord Jesus.

Sixth, pray the Rosary. This wonderful prayer Cardinal Newman encouraged to be prayed on a daily basis!   The saints, the Popes and Our Lady herself have all strongly recommended the daily recitation of the most Holy Rosary. In 1917 Our Lady of Fatima appeared six times to the three shepherd children—Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta-.   Every time she visited she Our Lady exhorted the recitation of the daily Rosary.  St. Pope John Paul II in his letter “The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary” likewise encouraged the Rosary and for two specific intentions: for world peace and for the salvation of the family.  In this document “The Rosary priest” (Father Patrick Peyton) was quoted:  “The family that prays together stays together.”

Seventh, and lastly Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman spread the icing on the top of the cake of holiness with these words:  “Try to do the ordinary duties of one’s daily life with extraordinary love.”  If this is done faithfully and on a daily basis we have a short program and recipe for holiness.   This is the essence of the spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux. God does not pay so much attention to the greatness of the exterior action but rather of the purity of intention by which the action is carried out. St. Therese also affirmed this spiritual concept with these words:  “Pick up a pin for the love of God and you can save a soul.”  

Remember that Jesus paid more attention and praised the humble widow throwing in two small copper coins (worth very little economically) than the huge sums of money thrown in the collection boxes by the vain and proud and self-seeking!

HOLINESS IN THE SIMPLE AND HIDDEN WAY!  

Hopefully this simple recipe of holiness of Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman can serve as a motivation and stimulus for you and me to seek the reason for our existence—holiness in this life which will terminate in eternal happiness in heaven!

LIVE LIFE PROGRAM

 

Yesterday, 22 Oct, feast day of St Pope John Paul II, the MFC community organised a one-day pro-life programme at JPII complex, Margao. 

It started at 10 am sharp but we reached only by 11 am (as we had to bring Christine with us and she had catechism Mass to attend at 9 am). 

Anyway, the first talk had made headway when we entered the hall, with Gavin speaking on the second marital vow - total and faithful. He had already touched upon the 'free' aspect. After elaborating upon how marriage has to be 💯 giving and 'till death do us part', he then went on to unravel the 'fruitful' part of marriage which then led into the remaining topics of the day. 

The culture of death that permeates society today even as far as the judicial system was unwrapped with the use of the acronym DEATH. 

DIVORCE

EUTHANASIA

ABORTION

TOTAL POPULATION CONTROL

HOMOSEXUAL UNION.

I do not think it would be proper to go into details on this forum but I will share a few pointers that I jotted down. 

DIVORCE: 

The lies that we hear with regards to this are

1) I can continue living after marriage just as I did before marriage. 

2) Divorce is okay if it is mutual.

3) Sex in marriage is my right.

4) The goal of sex is pleasure. 

The speaker Beverly busted these lies with counter-arguments. 

If there is an abusive relationship, a couple should take support of the MFC community and seek counseling. Temporary separation is permitted by the church till the marriage is restored to its former sanctity as per the Catholic perspective. 

Takeaway: 

THE PRAYERS, SIGHS AND TEARS OF HOLY PARENTS ARE THE SEEDS THAT  PRODUCE SAINTLY CHILDREN. 

EUTHANASIA 

Lie here is

1) Life and death is in our hands. 

What can we do? - provide monetary assistance, care and encourage them to offer their suffering for redemption of souls. 

ABORTION 

It is

- not healthcare.

- not a fundamental right.

- not women empowerment.

Here, I would like to say that the videos were very strong and showed us exactly what does happen with various types of abortion procedures. The i-pill, the abortion pills, iuds, condoms and finally the surgical methods used all destroy the marriage eventually. 

Late term abortions upto 28 weeks of gestation is now legal in USA. The lies that pro-choice mothers are fed are

1) Life does not begin at conception.

2) Life is dependent on the mother's choice. 

3) Termination of life is ok if the pregnancy is unplanned or unwanted. 

These lies were busted by the speaker.

Exception of rape or incest victims were also discussed. 

Takeaway

TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE RIGHT. 

TOTAL POPULATION CONTROL 

Lies here are:

1) Too many children 

2) Limited resources.

3) Children are a burden. 

Sheldon explained how the Hum Do Humare Do sterilization programme in India systematically tried to reduce population, an endeavour funded by World Bank, International Planned Parenthood Federation and UNFPA, USAID, etc. 

Today, couples DINK and DILDO. They contracept. They abort when contraception fails. They are just not OPEN TO LIFE. 

The reality is that we have a very low replacement rate. Too many children are not being born. 

The second lie (that there is not enough food) was also busted. Survey shows that almost 1/3 of world food resources get wasted either by spoilage or ineffective PDS (public distribution system). 

Children are not a burden. On the contrary, they teach us responsibility, make us more empathetic, help us learn how to multitask, etc. 

IVF, the evil that has reared its ugly head, is nothing but man playing God. With it , other evils like surrogacy, egg, sperm sharing, sex trafficking, human experiments, all contribute to a world that is pushing God out of the procreation process. 

The Catholic answer to contraception is Natural Family Planning. It is open to life and not another way of contraception. It bonds the couple so it helps the marriage in fulfilling all the three vows. 

Takeaway

A CHILD IS A GIFT FROM GOD, NOT YOUR RIGHT. 

HOMOSEXUAL UNION 

Lies associated with this are:

1) I was born this way 

2) Gender is a social construct. 

3) There are 72+ genders. 

Attraction or feelings are not your identity. Your identity comes from God. 

When we accept the homosexual lies, we cannot love in an authentic way. Temptations always come but when we give in, we sin. 

What can you do to help genuinely? Reach out and listen to them. Help them come to repentance and to get rehabilitation via support groups. 

In conclusion, 

CHOOSE LIFE (Deut 30:19)

- Live a life of prayer and the Sacraments.

- Support environments that help women and children.

- Educate yourself and use social media powerfully to spread awareness.

- Reach out to those with loved ones on life support.

- Advocate adoption over abortion. 

Mime depicting the theme of DEATH on MFC Family Day (19 Nov 2023).