Papers by Melkie Selvaraj
Self-emptying of Jesus and self-immolation of Prajapati have striking similarities. The only but ... more Self-emptying of Jesus and self-immolation of Prajapati have striking similarities. The only but a contrasting difference we see between these two concepts in two different religions is redemption and creation. While Jesus empties himself for the redemption of the human race from sin, Prajapati empties himself for the creation of the world. Both the immortal beings sacrifice themselves for the sake of the respective creations mentioned in their respective scriptures...
The New Testament has several running themes of mission and bearing witness that dominate the Gos... more The New Testament has several running themes of mission and bearing witness that dominate the Gospels especially. One among the missionaries who held these two aspects of mission and witness, in her ministerial and personal life was Mother Theresa. Hence, aptly, she has been called the icon of love, apostle of charity, prime witness of service etc. She believed in the good of Humanity. That’s why she said “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” It is this message that turned out to be the very basis of her service.
There are 3 common and striking virtues of Mary that we find both in Quran and Bible: Mary’s Puri... more There are 3 common and striking virtues of Mary that we find both in Quran and Bible: Mary’s Purity, her virginity and Mary as true believer. Mary is both a powerful and popular woman in history and devotion to Mary is
central to both Catholics and Muslim traditions. Mary’s place in Salvation History and her presence in the history of the Church have become the subject matter of theology for Christianity. The same can be also said of Islamic religious scholasticism
K.C. Sen was born in Colutolah, Calcutta, on the 19th of November 1838, as the second son of Piar... more K.C. Sen was born in Colutolah, Calcutta, on the 19th of November 1838, as the second son of Piari Mohun Sen and Sarada Devi who belonged to the Vaidya Caste and Vaishanavite tradition respectively. K C Sen was largely influenced by his mother’s tradition which made him, at his teen-age, to become critique of Hinduism. The principal reason for his critique was a strong urge to pray and at this juncture he came in contact with Bible, Missionaries and different Philosophies.
The paper was submitted for Contextual Theology Programme for JDV in 2015. The Survey was done by... more The paper was submitted for Contextual Theology Programme for JDV in 2015. The Survey was done by a group of Scholastics of Theology and then later was presented individually
Education- a means to evangelization
A religious community is expected to be a group of persons who live together knowing one another ... more A religious community is expected to be a group of persons who live together knowing one another and loving one another. A heap of bricks does not make a house, a collection of words does not make a sentence, and a multitude of sounds does not make music, so also a crowd of people staying together does not make a community. Religious community life is the earthly version of the Kingdom of God. Everyone wants to be in communion, to love and to be loved. A religious community seeks to fulfill this need which is basic and ultimate. Community would be certainly a breeding ground for understanding the 'Love of the neighbour'. We should love and support one another without selfishness and destructive competition. If we have good qualities like mutual understanding, prayerful support, unity, love and generosity then we can build a good community. The members of the community should always be open to the voice of the Spirit. This will help them to love God and neighbours. A community is not merely a group of people living together. It is a living reality that has its own personality. It grows by the support of persons who respect one another. Community is a place of belonging, a place where people are gathered and find their identity. People do not belong only to communities. Some belong to gangs, to sects, to clubs and other organizations which are not communities, many also belong to churches and to parishes. It is essential for a community that the members know one another, love one another, and care for one another. Charity is the secret of community life. Charity in the community heals the hurts of its members. A religious community is not merely a group of persons who pursue certain ends and coordinate certain actions. The religious gather together to make a unity of life and sentiments. Though we all have shortcomings and weaknesses, we should live as people who love one another in fraternity or fraternal communion. Community life is more than a means to carry out our mission. Religious community is not just a gathering of people who love Christ, but it is
The liturgical life of the Catholic Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacr... more The liturgical life of the Catholic Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments. The purpose of the sacraments is to make people holy, to build up the body of Christ, and finally, to give worship to God; but being signs, they also have a teaching function. They not only presuppose faith, but by words and object, they also nourish, strengthen, and express it; that is why they are called " Sacraments of Faith ". Penance – A New Beginning Jesus proclaimed that God is the source of forgiveness. He forgave the sins of the people and wished that his disciples too should forgive one another. Therefore He instituted the Sacrament of Penance for the forgiveness of sins through which He commissioned us to be the ambassadors of forgiveness.1 Therefore, having been forgiven by God we cannot but forgive others. The Church continues the mission of Christ and reconciles sinners to God. In the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance confession of sins is one of the important aspects. This is why the Sacrament of penance is popularly known as 'Confession'. The purpose of the sacraments is to sanctify man, to build the body of Christ and finally to give worship to God.2 By sin we constantly suffer in our interpersonal relationship. We are alienated from god and our neighbor and there is a certain disharmony within ourselves. The sacrament of confession heals this alienation and hence it can be called the sacrament of spiritual healing. Confession In the Catholic Church the element of penance is very important. And confession is also an external expression of one's own repentance and remorse over the sin which proclaims God's wonderful deeds of redemption.3The Sacrament of reconciliation has been given to us by Christ for the healing of the whole person. But without confession, without the grateful acknowledgement in the presence of God of our need for forgiveness, there can be no healing.
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Papers by Melkie Selvaraj
central to both Catholics and Muslim traditions. Mary’s place in Salvation History and her presence in the history of the Church have become the subject matter of theology for Christianity. The same can be also said of Islamic religious scholasticism