Sunday, December 31, 2023

The Heart of Love: Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem

 

Courtesy: Adoration of the Shepherds by Dutch painter Matthias Stomer, 1632

He was wrapped in swaddling clothes in the manger. This is what the Gospels say about the birth scene of Jesus Christ. “The word “manger” comes from the Latin word manducare which means “to eat.” A manger or crib is a wooden or stone feeding trough or food box that holds hay for larger farm animals like cattle, horses, and donkeys.” The food box used by the Jews during the first century AD was made of stone. “The stone trough was a manger. Of course, it wasn’t made of wood. Wood was precious and expensive in an arid land where few trees grew straight and tall. That’s why the legendary cedars of Lebanon were so prized. There weren’t many trees, but there was plenty of rock.” Not a comfortable place for the King of the Jews. 


The newborn was a special child, yet the only place they could find was this stone manger. It was rough, it was meant for animals to eat from. Just imagine the thoughts that must have crossed the minds of Mary and Joseph, if they were us. The manger and the Holy Cross are two emblems that remind us of the birth of Jesus, that is, God in human form. Both these emblems signify discomfort and sacrifice. But later, both symbols became the source of comfort and healing. God became man and built a highway for us to Heaven through his Sacrifice on the Holy Cross. 


The manger is a symbol of lack when we consider how two human beings were forced to take refuge there, in the dire need of the hour. Mary was about to give birth, and Joseph could not find another place for them, in the fully packed Bethlehem. We must remember that during that time of the year, a census was going on across the land of Palestine, which was under Roman rule. People were supposed to go to the cities of their original ancestors and register their names. Caesar Augustus was the Roman ruler who had a peculiar liking for census. Since Joseph belonged to the lineage of David, the legendary King David, he went to Bethlehem, the hometown of David. 


Bethlehem must have been a crowded place during the days of the census. There was no place for Joseph and Mary to stay, especially because the inn owners and whoever saw Mary understood she might give birth to a child soon. It was clear they did not want to take a lot of risk at that time of the year. The situation was more than enough to fill anyone with bitterness. There would certainly be, if it were us, a lot of gnashing of teeth and bitterness. How did the Blessed Mother of Jesus and Joseph, the Wonder Worker, manage to stay above the bitterness of it all? For Mary, accepting the will of God defined her whole existence. The “Yes” of Mary did not just make her part of the salvific plan of God, it saved the entire humanity. The “Yes” of Mary echoes in the trust laid by Joseph upon the instructions he received through his dreams. Mary’s “yes” was an act of courage. “And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.”[b] 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be”( Luke 1: 28, NRSV). Mary was ‘perplexed’, says the scripture. The term ‘perplexed’ means confused. It could also mean being in shock by seeing something unexpected. It means “confused and anxious because you are unable to understand something.


Mary’s anxiety was understandable. She was a young girl, betrothed to another man. She must have been panicking when the angel appeared in front of her. However, in her panic she does not wrestle with the Lord’s messenger. In the Bible we find many who confront messengers from God. It is quite interesting to observe how they respond to these heavenly messengers. The Book of Genesis shows Jacob wrestling with the angel of God. Mary, although perplexed, was willing to say “yes” to the will of God. Seeing Mary’s anxiety, the angel explains, “30 “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”” (Luke 1:30-33) The words of the angel are directly from God. The angel does not infuse one’s own will either in the language or in the intention of the communication. The message is a direct echo of God’s voice. However, the message is delivered through the person of the angel and for Mary it acts as a consolation. 


Mary does not wrestle with the Angel, but she asks the most logical question from a human perspective: ““How can this be, since I am a virgin?”” (Luke 1: 34) The question is a reflection of human limitation, which the angel subverts with a statement about God’s power. The angel explains to Mary about the Holy Spirit and how the Son of God will be sinless. The angel also informs Mary about Elizabeth who had miraculously conceived a son at her old age. Elizabeth was a barren woman, incapable of childbirth. Both these messages- one about the intervention of the Holy Spirit and the other about Elizabeth conceiving a child- form a preface to what the angel was about to declare. “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37), the angel declares. With God, everything changes; human limitation changes to heavenly reality. The angel’s words come down to Mary in a sweet logical succession from which it is easy to deduce her own conclusions. And Mary, consciously, willingly, declares, ““Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”” (Luke 1: 38)


Joseph had a dream of an angel. In the dream, the angel told him “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins”” (Matthew 1: 20,21, NRSV). Joseph was also informed of the intervention of the Holy Spirit, like Mary, and was told the name Jesus. The angel also consoles the anxious Joseph by assuring him about taking Mary as his wife. Just like the perplexity felt by Mary when she saw the angel, Joseph felt anxiety about taking a woman as his wife who is pregnant with a baby, before their life together. He was anxious about the stigma placed by society upon such a pregnancy. The angel’s words helped him strengthen his decision to marry the same girl. Joseph accepts the will of God to be his own life’s anchor. 


Joseph was “righteous”, says the Bible. So he, “unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly” (Matthew 1:19, NRSV). Joseph resolved to do this. This resolution was shattered by the vision of the angel, where the angel tells Joseph about Jesus. Just like Mary, Joseph also trusted the angel’s words. It’s a trust imbued with love for God. In Bethlehem, when the people around them offered them no refuge or help, Joseph and Mary did not feel their pride hurt. They did not feel bitter. Both Mary and Joseph did not set out on this journey for the love they had for each other. Mary and Joseph had one common denominator, a common love: Jesus. 


This love for Jesus, made their journey tolerable. Bethlehem became the heart of their love, where the whole world saw God in human form. Bitterness and agony was won over with love for Jesus. This is one of the messages we need to learn during the Christmas season. Clearly, Mary and Joseph loved God even before the angel visited them. This is what helps them accept and follow the angel’s words. 


So in our lives too, love for Jesus should come first. We shouldn’t wait for miracles or miraculous encounters with angels to prove to ourselves of God’s love for us. We should love Him even without seeing him. We should love Him before we encounter His miracles because we are the best of his creation, and in us, a miracle has already unfolded at the time of our birth. 


by Anu Lal

Saturday, July 15, 2023

Until I Find You by Kanchana Banerjee: A Book Review




"Until I Find You" by Kanchana Banerjee is a captivating fiction thriller set in the charming town of Bannod in Rajasthan. The narrative revolves around two key characters, Jenny and Virat, each on a personal quest for redemption and truth, respectively.

Jenny finds herself tirelessly searching for the son of her deceased best friend, while Virat, a determined police officer, is driven to solve the mystery behind the sudden disappearance of Jenny's crush. As fate would have it, their paths cross, and they find themselves reluctantly joining forces to achieve their individual goals.

The plot of the story is peppered with both expected and unexpected twists, leading up to a climax that will leave readers in shock. The author skillfully crafts well-defined characters who grapple with themes such as cults, rape, and the vulnerability of victims. Through their experiences, the story delves into the profound impact that people's susceptibility can have on surrendering their lives to others.

While it may not be the best crime thriller ever encountered, the chosen themes add depth to the narrative, making it a worthwhile read. The introduction of the three highlighted characters, Virat, Jenny, and Harsh, is beautifully executed, emphasizing their significance in the novel. Properly introducing the characters is essential for readers to fully immerse themselves in the essence of the writing.

This crime thriller explores the inner guilt of a woman who feels she has failed in certain aspects of her life. Despite her attempts to overcome her dark days and find new paths, life takes an unexpected turn, giving birth to a new suspenseful tale that seamlessly blends with the rest of the story.

While there is an abundance of thrillers available today, this book stands out for its clever narration and ability to hold readers captive until the very end. The moment Jenny sees a picture of a boy in a travel magazine, her world is shaken. The boy bears a striking resemblance to her friend Rubina, who is supposed to be dead. A decade ago, Jenny failed to save Rubina and her child from the clutches of a charismatic cult leader, leading to a mass suicide.

Jenny's journey to find the boy leads her to a quiet village in Rajasthan, where she crosses paths with Virat, a police officer investigating the discovery of a decomposed leg at a construction site. Are these two cases connected? As Jenny's past threatens to catch up with her, she and Virat become entangled in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game that escalates to a diabolical climax.

Drawing inspiration from the notorious Peoples Temple mass suicide led by the charismatic Jim Jones, "Until I Find You" presents a grim and brutal thriller where the arid landscape of Rajasthan becomes as much a character as the shadowy dramatis personae. The author's skill lies in her ability to introduce characters against richly detailed backdrops, making readers feel as though they are sitting alongside the players in this macabre tableau, breathing in the dusty heat of Bannod. Her writing allows the characters to come alive, daring readers to fully engage with their lives.

The story itself is captivating, presented with a cinematic gaze. The presence of an unreliable narrator adds to the shock value of the finale. This novel delves into the cult of Jim Jones, exploring the mass massacre and contemplating an alternate ending. What if the cult leader had survived? What if there were other survivors?

Set in the fictional village of Bannod, the author creates an ideal setting for a wolf to infiltrate a tranquil community, assuming the role of the deceased wealthy Thakur's prodigal son. Despite Manjeet's efforts to maintain a low profile, his assumed identity is disrupted by Sejal, a blast from his past. As she questions the authenticity of his fatherhood and threatens to expose his carefully concealed secrets, she goes missing, with her foot turning up at a construction site. However, she is not the last dark secret from his past to resurface. Jenny, a survivor of the supposed cult massacre orchestrated by Manjeet, appears, determined to unveil the truth.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

What is Postmodernism? Essay for Undergraduate Students

 Postmodernism is a philosophical and artistic movement that emerged in the mid-20th century in response to the dominance of the modernist movement. It challenges the notion of objective truth and celebrates fragmentation and irony while rejecting the idea of a universal human experience. This comprehensive overview will explore the origins, characteristics, major theorists and texts, critiques and controversies, and applications of postmodernism in various fields such as architecture, visual art, and music.

Postmodernism challenges traditional notions of truth, meaning, and identity and celebrates the proliferation of multiple perspectives. Modernism, on the other hand, is characterized by a focus on the individual, rejection of traditional forms, and belief in progress and rationality. Postmodernism emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to modernism.

Some of the major postmodern theorists include Jean-Francois Lyotard, Jacques Derrida, and Michel Foucault. Deconstruction, a method of analysis that seeks to reveal contradictions and ambiguities in texts while challenging the notion of objective meaning, originated in the work of Jacques Derrida.

The Sokal Affair was a controversy in the mid-1990s involving a hoax article published in the academic journal Social Text. Physicist Alan Sokal wrote the article to expose what he saw as the misuse of postmodernist ideas in the humanities.

Postmodernism has influenced architecture by rejecting the modernist emphasis on function and rationality and celebrating ornamentation, historical references, and the use of irony and humor. Examples of postmodern architecture include the AT&T Building in New York City and the Portland Building in Portland, Oregon. Postmodernism has also influenced visual art and music, among other fields.

In conclusion, postmodernism is a complex and multifaceted movement that continues to be a significant force in contemporary culture. While subject to criticism and controversy, it challenges traditional notions of truth and meaning while celebrating fragmentation and multiple perspectives.

Saturday, January 21, 2023

5 Simple Steps to Self-Publish Your Paperback Book on Amazon in India

 


It's relatively easy to self-publish paperback books on Amazon in India using Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). 

The basic steps are as follows:


Create a profile: 

Create an account on the KDP website. 

Your personal information and tax information must be provided.


Get your book ready: 

Format your book in accordance with KDP specifications. 

Your book must be submitted as a print-ready PDF file, complete with the cover art.


Make a new heading: 

Create a new title for your book by logging into your KDP account. 

You must include details about your book, including the title, author, summary, and keywords.


Determine your price: 

Set a price for your book in your KDP account after deciding on one. 

You have the option to establish a price for your book or use the KDP Select programme, which enables you to give your book out for free for a limited time.


Review and publish: 

Check that all the information in your book is accurate. 

Click "publish" after you are finished to make your book available on Amazon.


Make the book a paperback option: 

Enroll the book in KDP's expanded distribution programme so that readers can purchase it in paperback form.


Promote your book: 

As soon as your book is out, you may begin to raise awareness of it. 


To reach your target audience, you can employ several strategies such as email marketing and social media.


It's important to keep in mind that India has a unique tax and banking system, so you might need to supply extra information or documents to meet their needs. 


A paperback version's publication procedure may differ slightly from a digital version's. 


The KDP website should constantly be checked for the most recent information and policies.

For book publishing support visit writerskalam.com 

Cults of the Roman Occupation: The Impact of Roman Religion on Celtic England



The Roman occupation of Celtic England brought about many changes to the indigenous population, including the introduction of new religious beliefs and practices. One aspect of this cultural shift was the emergence of various cults, which developed alongside the Roman religion and had a significant impact on the spiritual beliefs of the Celtic people.

One of the most notable cults to emerge during this time was the cult of the mother goddess, known as the Matres or Matronae. This cult was popular among the Celtic women and was characterised by the worship of mother goddesses who were believed to be responsible for fertility, childbirth and the protection of the home. The cult of the Matres was often associated with the Roman goddesses such as Ceres, Venus and Bona Dea, and was often depicted in statuary and inscriptions throughout Celtic England.

Another significant cult that emerged during the Roman occupation was the cult of the god Mithras. This cult, which originated in the Eastern Roman Empire, was primarily practiced by Roman soldiers and was characterised by secretive initiation rites and the worship of the god of light and truth. The cult of Mithras was particularly popular among the Roman military and had a significant influence on the spiritual beliefs of the Celtic people who came into contact with the Roman soldiers.

The Roman occupation also saw the spread of the cult of the god Apollo, which was associated with healing, prophecy and the arts. The cult of Apollo was particularly popular among the Celtic nobility, who saw the god as a symbol of Roman civilization and culture.

Additionally, the Roman occupation also led to the spread of Christianity among the Celtic people. While the Roman authorities generally tolerated the practice of Christianity, they did not officially support it and often viewed it as a threat to the traditional Roman religion. Nevertheless, Christianity slowly gained popularity among the Celtic population, particularly among the lower classes and among those who had come into contact with Roman soldiers and merchants.

Overall, the Roman occupation of Celtic England brought about significant changes to the spiritual beliefs and practices of the indigenous population. The emergence of various cults, such as the cults of the mother goddess, Mithras, Apollo and Christianity, had a significant impact on the religious landscape of Celtic England. These cults not only influenced the spiritual beliefs of the Celtic people but also played an important role in shaping the cultural and social developments of the region during the Roman occupation.



Thursday, January 19, 2023

LESSONS FROM INSTAGRAM LIVE SESSION: By Writers' Kalam, India's Latest Knowledge-Based Education Venture

 


Wow! This was a fascinating first-time live session from the Writers' Kalam family. 

Special thanks to @_neharora12 and @ankush.bharti11 for being part of this live session. You guys are awesome!

I'd also like to thank all our #Instagram family for encouraging us and for giving us that motivation!

You are awesome!!!

Here are a few lessons that we learnt in this live session! 

I hope this will be useful for anyone trying to use Instagram live for success in their ventures. 

1. We learned that we should announce the live sessions beforehand using a poster for a video message.

2. We understood that there is a growing demand among the young generation of India for Authentic, Brief yet Clear information that is the motto of The Holistic Pine - authenticity brevity and clarity. 

3. We realised that we should keep the time of the live sessions limited so that we can work on the next issue of our journal and also on the many projects of writerskalam.com!

The demand is so much that our Instagram family was not letting us leave the live session, and it is inspiring and at the same time terrifying in a good way. It reminded us of our true responsibility towards them, that is, to deliver authentic, good-quality content in a brief yet clear manner. 

4. When you feel a lack of motivation always do a live session because your Instagram family is there to support you always. 

These are a few lessons we learned from our live session today! 

Ciao, until next time!

To know more about us, visit writerskalam.com 

Or

theholisticpine.com


Sunday, January 15, 2023

The Holistic Pine Features Siju Rajan



When you are the owner of a sole proprietorship even Sundays are no off days. you have to work hard to make your visions a reality.


Of course, it is important to have a vision. When writers Kalam was starting I had a vision of Helping India Write. 


My friends, who took part in this journey along with me also realised the importance of the vision.


Many people are crippled by the fact that they do not have control over their written language. When you do not know how to write properly or how to write efficiently you could be losing out on many opportunities.


It is the mission of WritersKalam.com to go into schools, colleges, and other educational institutions to help students and teachers find a balance between their language and writing skills.


With this purpose in mind, we started a journal, the first independent online journal in India, The Holistic Pine.


When I see the massive reception the journal is receiving I feel proud about the decision of starting this journal.


The January issue of the Holistic Pine carries a very important column article on the psychological implications of the COVID pandemic.


It also features Siju Rajan's writing on "Where to Invest your Time and Resources in 2023."


Don't lose out on financial freedom. Invest wisely this year. Learn it all in this month's issue of The Holistic Pine, coming out in print and digital this week.