Features
Crossing the Threshold of Christmas Hope through ‘Silence’ to ‘Holiness’…!
by Rev. Fr. Eymard Fernando
‘Silent Night…’
is surely one of the most famous and beloved Christmas carols in the world today. The title of this popular carol is not based on any expressed detail of the Christmas story found in the Holy Bible. We are never told that the night Jesus was born was silent. In fact, we have ample evidence to suggest otherwise. Childbirth is rarely a quiet affair. Newborn infants tend to cry when they are not sleeping. Sheep also might have made, at least, some noise at night. In addition to these, St. Luke correlates the date of the Nativity of Our Lord to a census (cf. Lk. 2:1-7). Also, a great company of the Heavenly Host singing ‘Glory to God in the highest…’ would surely have filled the countryside with thundering noise!
So then, why was the night of Christmas referred to as ‘silent’? We find a clue to Joseph Mohr the composer’s intention in the second phrase; ‘Holy Night’. In the presence of holiness, sometimes we are gripped by stunned silence! For example, in Habakkuk 2:20 we read,
“The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.”
So, in the imagination of the composer of this carol, the night of Jesus’ birth was ‘silent’ because it was ‘holy’.
It was set apart from other nights because it was the unique night in history the Holy God was physically present on earth in human form.
God of Holiness is Often Known in His Silence
God sometimes remains silent, apparently indifferent to our situation, because He wants to open a path for entering our souls and thus lead us to holiness, making use of silence as a launching pad. Only then can we understand, for instance, His permitting St. Joseph suffer because of the uncertainty of Mother Mary’s unexpected pregnancy (cf. Mt.1:18-20), when He could have easily arranged things otherwise. God was preparing St. Joseph for something great. God never disturbs the joy of His children, unless to prepare them for a greater and surer joy!
In God, Silence Always has its Purpose
With His silence, God makes the faith and hope of His Own People mature and grow. He makes them new and with them He makes all things new!
God shows Himself to His People not only in the splendour of His light, but also in silence, quietness and tranquillity.
Prophet Elijah, when fleeing from Jezebel’s persecution, went to the holy mountain led by God. Hidden in a cave, the Prophet sees a violent wind, an earthquake and a fire. But God was not there. After the fire, the sacred author says that there was ‘a sound as of a soft breeze’. The Prophet then covers his face with his mantle and goes out to encounter God. And it was then that God spoke to him (cf. 1 Kings 19:9-18).
The Hebrew text literally says that Prophet Elijah heard ‘the sound or voice of a soft silence’ (דְּמָמָה – demamah in Hebrew). What was this still small voice? One way of looking at this voice is the set of words used to describe it – a low moan of a dove, something so small and it is like dust. They all give the idea of the speck of a sound, and if one is not listening or seeing intently, this voice can be missed or even it may go unnoticed. Thus, what this word really means is precisely silence. With this paradox, the sacred author implies that silence is not empty, but rather full of Divine presence, manifestation and action. Silence guards the mystery, the mystery of God. Sacred Scripture invites us to enter into this silence, if we really want to find God and experience Him in our lives.
Why does God keep silent at times? Sacred Scripture sometimes presents God’s silence and remoteness to us as a consequence of mankind’s infidelity.
In this way, sin is a veil that makes God opaque to us, that hinders our seeing Him; it is like a noise that makes His voice inaudible. But God waits patiently behind this screen that we put between Him and us watching for the right moment to seek us out anew.
Rather than God remaining silent, what often happens is that we do not let Him speak; that we do not listen to Him, because there is already too much hustle and bustle in our lives. There is not only physical deafness which to a great extent isolates man in social life, but also there is a hearing defect in relation to God, and we suffer it very much especially in this present time. We are simply no longer able to hear Him as too many diverse frequencies occupy our hearing. What is said about Him appears pre-scientific to us and no longer seems adequate for our times. With this hearing defect, or even with deafness towards God, naturally we also lose our ability to speak with Him or to Him. Nevertheless, in this way we lack a decisive perception. Our interior senses badly run the risk of atrophy. On lacking that perception, the radius of our relation with the reality in general becomes drastically and dangerously limited.
Each person’s daily experience also shows how our cry to receive a comforting response from God sometimes seems to confront an inner vacuum. God’s mercy, of which Sacred Scripture and Christian Tradition speak so much, can at times be difficult to perceive by someone who is going through painful situations marked by sickness, poverty, violence or injustice where prayers seem to elicit no response. Why then does God not answer our prayers?
God’s Silence Invites Us to Walk in the Way of Holiness…
God does answer our prayers. But sometimes, God is silent as we seemingly see in the time of this present pandemic situation.
As believers, we have all been there – or will be. We may earnestly seek God but, in return, only sense His silence. This silence on the part of God can be difficult, frustrating and even very excruciating for us at times!
The Holy Bible tells us the story of a man named Job who was well-acquainted with God’s silence. In his pain and suffering, he cried out to God. He asked for answers. He kept on asking for God’s intervention. But for the first 37 chapters of the Book of Job, his cries for God’s help and relief are met only with God’s deafening silence.
As Christians, we are not always going to hear God’s voice. When we are faced with such silence on the part of God, what must we do?
1. Examine Our Own Lives
We must begin by asking ourselves whether there is any unconfessed sin in our lives? We must make sure that nothing is blocking us from being able to hear God’s voice in our lives through our own conscience.
2. Accept God’s Authority
Recognize that God can be silent. There is no obligation for God to answer us or inform us or let us know everything.
3. Listen to What God is Saying
Although God may seem silent regarding a specific request or petition, remember that He is in a constant state of communication with us. In fact, it is possible that we already have an answer from God in His silence.
4. Recognize that Silence can be Intimate
Silence can also be a sign of God’s trust in us.
To Lazarus’ sisters Martha and Mary, Jesus’ silence could have been interpreted as neglect – that Jesus did not care about or want to help them (cf. Jn. 11:6).
This mirrors many of the emotions we feel when God does not immediately answer our cries for help.
But in Jesus’ silence, we, along with Martha and Mary, are drawn into a new closeness to God and understanding of His power in a better way. Four days after he died, Lazarus was raised from the dead by Jesus, showing His infinite power.
5. Keep on Talking to God
Just because God seems silent, it does not mean that we should doubt Him or stop praying.
God’s silence is not a license for us to turn away from Him. Instead, it is an invitation to press forward and seek Him even more diligently with unceasing faith and hope.
Through Silence to Holiness at this Christmas…!
But very often, our Christmas celebrations are anything but silent. Whether we are hearing choirs belting ‘Joy to the World…’ or the cacophony of crowds in shops and supermarkets or the joyful cries of children opening their presents, Christmas is hardly silent! Yet, if we take time to retreat from the commotion, if we sincerely allow ourselves to consider the Mystery of the Incarnation, if we imagine what it would have been like to join the shepherds at the manger, then perhaps we will hear in a new way the call to silence by Prophet Habakkuk.
How does one celebrate Christmas this year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic? This would probably be one in contemporary history when we are encouraged to celebrate the Christmas season in its essence, that is in its ‘silence’ and ‘holiness’.
With a focus on the COVID-19 virus, we are pre-occupied with guidelines on how to celebrate Christmas this year too – may be with only members of the family who are living in the same household, continuing to wear masks, observing social distancing, or washing hands frequently etc. We are being discouraged from visiting one another for our own mutual protection and safety. The usual Christmas glee and merriment that we have been accustomed to for years and years is not that possible and visible this year!
But, at the same time, our celebration of Christmas should not also be dampened by COVID-19! Let us spread more hope, peace, joy and love this season along with the true Spirit of Christmas!
This is where we are really reminded of the birth of Our Saviour in a context of true ‘silence’ and ‘holiness’. The Christmas story is one of silence and simplicity which leads us to understand the immensity of the holiness of God the Father in His Plan of Salvation for the sinful mankind. Our Lord and Saviour was born in a manger with His Mother and Foster Father only. His guests were a few shepherds, a few animals and the magi. It is a heart-warming reminder of the true reason of the grace-filled season!
Although this year too has been difficult for all of us, we still cling on to our Christian hope. Amidst all confusion and fear that the pandemic has brought for us, God is always with us, has always been and will always be, if we really understand the true meaning of His ‘silence’ and make it our own stepping stone towards the pathway to ‘holiness’!
Let us positively respond to God’s invitation to us this Christmas in the words of the Psalmist:
“Be still, and know that I am God”
(Ps. 46:10).
by Dr Gotabhya Ranasinghe
Senior Consultant Cardiologist
National Hospital Sri Lanka
When we sought a meeting with Hon Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Health, he graciously cleared his busy schedule to accommodate us. Renowned for his attentive listening and deep understanding, Minister Pathirana is dedicated to advancing the health sector. His openness and transparency exemplify the qualities of an exemplary politician and minister.
Dr. Palitha Mahipala, the current Health Secretary, demonstrates both commendable enthusiasm and unwavering support. This combination of attributes makes him a highly compatible colleague for the esteemed Minister of Health.
Our discussion centered on a project that has been in the works for the past 30 years, one that no other minister had managed to advance.
Minister Pathirana, however, recognized the project’s significance and its potential to revolutionize care for heart patients.
The project involves the construction of a state-of-the-art facility at the premises of the National Hospital Colombo. The project’s location within the premises of the National Hospital underscores its importance and relevance to the healthcare infrastructure of the nation.
This facility will include a cardiology building and a tertiary care center, equipped with the latest technology to handle and treat all types of heart-related conditions and surgeries.
Securing funding was a major milestone for this initiative. Minister Pathirana successfully obtained approval for a $40 billion loan from the Asian Development Bank. With the funding in place, the foundation stone is scheduled to be laid in September this year, and construction will begin in January 2025.
This project guarantees a consistent and uninterrupted supply of stents and related medications for heart patients. As a result, patients will have timely access to essential medical supplies during their treatment and recovery. By securing these critical resources, the project aims to enhance patient outcomes, minimize treatment delays, and maintain the highest standards of cardiac care.
Upon its fruition, this monumental building will serve as a beacon of hope and healing, symbolizing the unwavering dedication to improving patient outcomes and fostering a healthier society.We anticipate a future marked by significant progress and positive outcomes in Sri Lanka’s cardiovascular treatment landscape within the foreseeable timeframe.
by Fr. Emmanuel Fernando, OMI
Jesuit Fr. Aloysius Pieris (affectionately called Fr. Aloy) celebrated his 90th birthday on April 9, 2024 and I, as the editor of our Oblate Journal, THE MISSIONARY OBLATE had gone to press by that time. Immediately I decided to publish an article, appreciating the untiring selfless services he continues to offer for inter-Faith dialogue, the renewal of the Catholic Church, his concern for the poor and the suffering Sri Lankan masses and to me, the present writer.
It was in 1988, when I was appointed Director of the Oblate Scholastics at Ampitiya by the then Oblate Provincial Fr. Anselm Silva, that I came to know Fr. Aloy more closely. Knowing well his expertise in matters spiritual, theological, Indological and pastoral, and with the collaborative spirit of my companion-formators, our Oblate Scholastics were sent to Tulana, the Research and Encounter Centre, Kelaniya, of which he is the Founder-Director, for ‘exposure-programmes’ on matters spiritual, biblical, theological and pastoral. Some of these dimensions according to my view and that of my companion-formators, were not available at the National Seminary, Ampitiya.
Ever since that time, our Oblate formators/ accompaniers at the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya , have continued to send our Oblate Scholastics to Tulana Centre for deepening their insights and convictions regarding matters needed to serve the people in today’s context. Fr. Aloy also had tried very enthusiastically with the Oblate team headed by Frs. Oswald Firth and Clement Waidyasekara to begin a Theologate, directed by the Religious Congregations in Sri Lanka, for the contextual formation/ accompaniment of their members. It should very well be a desired goal of the Leaders / Provincials of the Religious Congregations.
Besides being a formator/accompanier at the Oblate Scholasticate, I was entrusted also with the task of editing and publishing our Oblate journal, ‘The Missionary Oblate’. To maintain the quality of the journal I continue to depend on Fr. Aloy for his thought-provoking and stimulating articles on Biblical Spirituality, Biblical Theology and Ecclesiology. I am very grateful to him for his generous assistance. Of late, his writings on renewal of the Church, initiated by Pope St. John XX111 and continued by Pope Francis through the Synodal path, published in our Oblate journal, enable our readers to focus their attention also on the needed renewal in the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. Fr. Aloy appreciated very much the Synodal path adopted by the Jesuit Pope Francis for the renewal of the Church, rooted very much on prayerful discernment. In my Religious and presbyteral life, Fr.Aloy continues to be my spiritual animator / guide and ongoing formator / acccompanier.
Fr. Aloysius Pieris, BA Hons (Lond), LPh (SHC, India), STL (PFT, Naples), PhD (SLU/VC), ThD (Tilburg), D.Ltt (KU), has been one of the eminent Asian theologians well recognized internationally and one who has lectured and held visiting chairs in many universities both in the West and in the East. Many members of Religious Congregations from Asian countries have benefited from his lectures and guidance in the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) in Manila, Philippines. He had been a Theologian consulted by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences for many years. During his professorship at the Gregorian University in Rome, he was called to be a member of a special group of advisers on other religions consulted by Pope Paul VI.
Fr. Aloy is the author of more than 30 books and well over 500 Research Papers. Some of his books and articles have been translated and published in several countries. Among those books, one can find the following: 1) The Genesis of an Asian Theology of Liberation (An Autobiographical Excursus on the Art of Theologising in Asia, 2) An Asian Theology of Liberation, 3) Providential Timeliness of Vatican 11 (a long-overdue halt to a scandalous millennium, 4) Give Vatican 11 a chance, 5) Leadership in the Church, 6) Relishing our faith in working for justice (Themes for study and discussion), 7) A Message meant mainly, not exclusively for Jesuits (Background information necessary for helping Francis renew the Church), 8) Lent in Lanka (Reflections and Resolutions, 9) Love meets wisdom (A Christian Experience of Buddhism, 10) Fire and Water 11) God’s Reign for God’s poor, 12) Our Unhiddden Agenda (How we Jesuits work, pray and form our men). He is also the Editor of two journals, Vagdevi, Journal of Religious Reflection and Dialogue, New Series.
Fr. Aloy has a BA in Pali and Sanskrit from the University of London and a Ph.D in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Sri Lankan, Vidyodaya Campus. On Nov. 23, 2019, he was awarded the prestigious honorary Doctorate of Literature (D.Litt) by the Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, the Most Venerable Welamitiyawe Dharmakirthi Sri Kusala Dhamma Thera.
Fr. Aloy continues to be a promoter of Gospel values and virtues. Justice as a constitutive dimension of love and social concern for the downtrodden masses are very much noted in his life and work. He had very much appreciated the commitment of the late Fr. Joseph (Joe) Fernando, the National Director of the Social and Economic Centre (SEDEC) for the poor.
In Sri Lanka, a few religious Congregations – the Good Shepherd Sisters, the Christian Brothers, the Marist Brothers and the Oblates – have invited him to animate their members especially during their Provincial Congresses, Chapters and International Conferences. The mainline Christian Churches also have sought his advice and followed his seminars. I, for one, regret very much, that the Sri Lankan authorities of the Catholic Church –today’s Hierarchy—- have not sought Fr.
Aloy’s expertise for the renewal of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka and thus have not benefited from the immense store of wisdom and insight that he can offer to our local Church while the Sri Lankan bishops who governed the Catholic church in the immediate aftermath of the Second Vatican Council (Edmund Fernando OMI, Anthony de Saram, Leo Nanayakkara OSB, Frank Marcus Fernando, Paul Perera,) visited him and consulted him on many matters. Among the Tamil Bishops, Bishop Rayappu Joseph was keeping close contact with him and Bishop J. Deogupillai hosted him and his team visiting him after the horrible Black July massacre of Tamils.
Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement
By Gomi Senadhira
senadhiragomi@gmail.com
“You might tell fairy tales, but the progress of a country cannot be achieved through such narratives. A country cannot be developed by making false promises. The country moved backward because of the electoral promises made by political parties throughout time. We have witnessed that the ultimate result of this is the country becoming bankrupt. Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet.” – President Ranil Wickremesinghe, 2024 Budget speech
Any Sri Lankan would agree with the above words of President Wickremesinghe on the false promises our politicians and officials make and the fairy tales they narrate which bankrupted this country. So, to understand this, let’s look at one such fairy tale with lots of false promises; Ranil Wickremesinghe’s greatest achievement in the area of international trade and investment promotion during the Yahapalana period, Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA).
It is appropriate and timely to do it now as Finance Minister Wickremesinghe has just presented to parliament a bill on the National Policy on Economic Transformation which includes the establishment of an Office for International Trade and the Sri Lanka Institute of Economics and International Trade.
Was SLSFTA a “Cleverly negotiated Free Trade Agreement” as stated by the (former) Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate on the SLSFTA in July 2018, or a colossal blunder covered up with lies, false promises, and fairy tales? After SLSFTA was signed there were a number of fairy tales published on this agreement by the Ministry of Development Strategies and International, Institute of Policy Studies, and others.
However, for this article, I would like to limit my comments to the speech by Minister Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate, and the two most important areas in the agreement which were covered up with lies, fairy tales, and false promises, namely: revenue loss for Sri Lanka and Investment from Singapore. On the other important area, “Waste products dumping” I do not want to comment here as I have written extensively on the issue.
1. The revenue loss
During the Parliamentary Debate in July 2018, Minister Samarawickrama stated “…. let me reiterate that this FTA with Singapore has been very cleverly negotiated by us…. The liberalisation programme under this FTA has been carefully designed to have the least impact on domestic industry and revenue collection. We have included all revenue sensitive items in the negative list of items which will not be subject to removal of tariff. Therefore, 97.8% revenue from Customs duty is protected. Our tariff liberalisation will take place over a period of 12-15 years! In fact, the revenue earned through tariffs on goods imported from Singapore last year was Rs. 35 billion.
The revenue loss for over the next 15 years due to the FTA is only Rs. 733 million– which when annualised, on average, is just Rs. 51 million. That is just 0.14% per year! So anyone who claims the Singapore FTA causes revenue loss to the Government cannot do basic arithmetic! Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I call on my fellow members of this House – don’t mislead the public with baseless criticism that is not grounded in facts. Don’t look at petty politics and use these issues for your own political survival.”
I was surprised to read the minister’s speech because an article published in January 2018 in “The Straits Times“, based on information released by the Singaporean Negotiators stated, “…. With the FTA, tariff savings for Singapore exports are estimated to hit $10 million annually“.
As the annual tariff savings (that is the revenue loss for Sri Lanka) calculated by the Singaporean Negotiators, Singaporean $ 10 million (Sri Lankan rupees 1,200 million in 2018) was way above the rupees’ 733 million revenue loss for 15 years estimated by the Sri Lankan negotiators, it was clear to any observer that one of the parties to the agreement had not done the basic arithmetic!
Six years later, according to a report published by “The Morning” newspaper, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) on 7th May 2024, Mr Samarawickrama’s chief trade negotiator K.J. Weerasinghehad had admitted “…. that forecasted revenue loss for the Government of Sri Lanka through the Singapore FTA is Rs. 450 million in 2023 and Rs. 1.3 billion in 2024.”
If these numbers are correct, as tariff liberalisation under the SLSFTA has just started, we will pass Rs 2 billion very soon. Then, the question is how Sri Lanka’s trade negotiators made such a colossal blunder. Didn’t they do their basic arithmetic? If they didn’t know how to do basic arithmetic they should have at least done their basic readings. For example, the headline of the article published in The Straits Times in January 2018 was “Singapore, Sri Lanka sign FTA, annual savings of $10m expected”.
Anyway, as Sri Lanka’s chief negotiator reiterated at the COPF meeting that “…. since 99% of the tariffs in Singapore have zero rates of duty, Sri Lanka has agreed on 80% tariff liberalisation over a period of 15 years while expecting Singapore investments to address the imbalance in trade,” let’s turn towards investment.
Investment from Singapore
In July 2018, speaking during the Parliamentary Debate on the FTA this is what Minister Malik Samarawickrama stated on investment from Singapore, “Already, thanks to this FTA, in just the past two-and-a-half months since the agreement came into effect we have received a proposal from Singapore for investment amounting to $ 14.8 billion in an oil refinery for export of petroleum products. In addition, we have proposals for a steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million), sugar refinery ($ 200 million). This adds up to more than $ 16.05 billion in the pipeline on these projects alone.
And all of these projects will create thousands of more jobs for our people. In principle approval has already been granted by the BOI and the investors are awaiting the release of land the environmental approvals to commence the project.
I request the Opposition and those with vested interests to change their narrow-minded thinking and join us to develop our country. We must always look at what is best for the whole community, not just the few who may oppose. We owe it to our people to courageously take decisions that will change their lives for the better.”
According to the media report I quoted earlier, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chief Negotiator Weerasinghe has admitted that Sri Lanka was not happy with overall Singapore investments that have come in the past few years in return for the trade liberalisation under the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. He has added that between 2021 and 2023 the total investment from Singapore had been around $162 million!
What happened to those projects worth $16 billion negotiated, thanks to the SLSFTA, in just the two-and-a-half months after the agreement came into effect and approved by the BOI? I do not know about the steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million) and sugar refinery ($ 200 million).
However, story of the multibillion-dollar investment in the Petroleum Refinery unfolded in a manner that would qualify it as the best fairy tale with false promises presented by our politicians and the officials, prior to 2019 elections.
Though many Sri Lankans got to know, through the media which repeatedly highlighted a plethora of issues surrounding the project and the questionable credentials of the Singaporean investor, the construction work on the Mirrijiwela Oil Refinery along with the cement factory began on the24th of March 2019 with a bang and Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ministers along with the foreign and local dignitaries laid the foundation stones.
That was few months before the 2019 Presidential elections. Inaugurating the construction work Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the projects will create thousands of job opportunities in the area and surrounding districts.
The oil refinery, which was to be built over 200 acres of land, with the capacity to refine 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day, was to generate US$7 billion of exports and create 1,500 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs. The construction of the refinery was to be completed in 44 months. Four years later, in August 2023 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to cancel the agreement with the investors of the refinery as the project has not been implemented! Can they explain to the country how much money was wasted to produce that fairy tale?
It is obvious that the President, ministers, and officials had made huge blunders and had deliberately misled the public and the parliament on the revenue loss and potential investment from SLSFTA with fairy tales and false promises.
As the president himself said, a country cannot be developed by making false promises or with fairy tales and these false promises and fairy tales had bankrupted the country. “Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet”.
(The writer, a specialist and an activist on trade and development issues . )
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