Oneness

Published in the Fiji Times - Wednesday, 17th February, 2010

This week the Churches of the Pacific mourn one of the leaders of the Ecumenical Movement in the Pacific, the late Archbishop Jabez Bryce of the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia.

The word "ecumenism" has its roots in the Greek word oikumene which means "the whole inhabited earth".

The Christian understanding of of oikumene is of the earth as the household of God. Ecumenism refers to the Church which is the "one Church for the whole world and for all time" (Fr. Louis Brauchemin, in his sermon at the 5th PCC Assembly in Apia, Samoa - 1986).

In its document, Towards a Common Understanding and Vision of the World Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches states that term "ecumenical" embraces the quest for Christian unity, common witness in the worldwide task of mission and evangelism, and commitment to diakonia and to the promotion of justice and peace.

Archbishop Bryce was the chairman of the Pacific Conference of Churches from 1976 to 1986, a time when the PCC made significant developments.

In the book, Affirming Our Ecumenical Journey, he noted that during this decade the Roman Catholic Church became a full member of the PCC through the Pacific Bishops' Conference and the PCC had its first lay-person and female general secretary in Lorine Tevi, at a time when feminism and the women's liberation movement were still at an early stage in the Pacific.

This was an era when the PCC began to focus on justice and self-determination issues such as nuclear testing in Moruroa and Bikini, the self determination of French territories, mining consequences in Nauru and New Caledonia and awareness-raising on difficult issue of tourism, multi-national corporations.

I am honoured to have known this servant of God and count myself privileged to have experienced the practical nature of his ecumenism. I first met the then Bishop Bryce through my late Father, Benjamin Bhagwan who was at that time the general secretary of the Fiji Council of Churches.

Later I was to find out that in fact both these men shared the same date of birth.

I remember an occasion during my time as a Bachelor of Divinity student at the Pacific Theological College in the first half of this decade.

During this time my two children were born and baptised in the PTC chapel by an Anglican priest, the Reverend Rosalyn Nokise, in an expression of ecumenism by my wife and I (she, a Catholic and I, a Methodist).

As a result, my family would often attend the mid-week Eucharist celebration (Holy Communion) held by the Anglican community.

On one occasion, Bishop Bryce was in attendance and afterwards had supper with the community. As the Easter long-weekend was approaching he presented an envelope of pocket money to each of the Anglican priests who were my fellow students as an Easter loloma, with a statement that they were to give the envelope to their wives straight away.

Noticing me sitting quietly in the background, he then proceeded to remind everyone that John Wesley, the founder of Methodism was an Anglican priest until the day he died and that Methodists are part of the Anglican family, adding with a big smile, even if they were rebellious prodigal sons.

He approached me, shook my hand, and gave me some pocket money from his own wallet. I was later to find out it was the same amount that my brother students had received.

Bishop Bryce wrote of meeting his wife Tilisi:

"Incidentally, during an ecumenical meeting in Tonga, my eye fell on this woman who came from the Methodist Church and ended up becoming my wife. I am grateful for the ecumenical movement for that!"

When I went to thank him for my "Easter loloma", he said to me, with that wonderful smile still on his face, that ecumenism is not only a movement for the Church but for families too.

The last time I had a conversation with Bishop Bryce was after a public forum on the state and future of the somewhat stagnated ecumenical movement in Fiji.

In the course of our discussion, he reminded me that in the oikumene, the household of God, everyone, including non-Christians are part of the household.

His parting words to me that day were that as a Christian in a pluralistic (multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious) society, the ecumenical dialogue must go hand-in-hand with interfaith dialogue. As a Fiji Islander with blood and marriage ties to almost every ethnic and religious group in this country (the majorities and minorities) it was an affirmation of the inclusiveness of the household of God while at the same time a challenge to go and do likewise in terms of loving one's neighbour.

My heart goes out to his wife Tilisi, and their children Jonathan and Fitaloa, and to the Anglican community in Fiji and Polynesia. I know that I am not alone in praying for God's peace to surround and comfort you.

The many men and women in Fiji, the Pacific and around the world who were challenged and inspired by this man of God are with you in this time of sorrow.

At the same time, in true Pacific style, we are called to celebrate his life, and in acknowledgement of the work he did towards creating unity among the Churches of the Pacific, called to commit ourselves to continuing the legacy that he left behind.

Today is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. As I prepared my sermon for tonight's Ash Wednesday Service at Dudley Memorial Church (7pm, corner of Amy Street and Toorak Road - All Welcome) I reflected on the significance and challenges Christians face during the Lenten period. Our theme in Dudley for Ash Wednesday is "Sincerity or Hypocrisy?"

My humble plea to the leaders of the churches in Fiji is to place on the altar of Christian Unity, whatever personal issues that are holding us back from allowing God to manifest the prayer of the Christ that all may be one, in order that the world may believe (John 17:21). Only if we are willing to love our brothers and sisters, can we ever hope to love our neighbour. That is the test of our sincerity in our commitment to be one church for the whole world and for all time.

May the rest of your week be blessed with light, love, peace and the spirit of brother and sisterhood.

* This article is the sole opinion of Reverend J.S. Bhagwan and not that of this newspaper or any organisation that Mr Bhagwan is associated with.

Miniority Report

Published as "Different Colours" in The Fiji Times Wednesday, February 10, 2010

THE word "minority" is often used to describe a "small group of people within a community or country, differing from the main population in race, religion, language or political persuasion, (Oxford Dictionary of English).

We in Fiji are familiar with this particular understanding of the term "minority". I have heard pleas and calls for the support of the minorities from the Indian community, the communities of Rotuma, Rabi, Kioa and the descendants of black-birded Solomon Islanders.

In this sense, I suppose I come under the term minority in a number of contexts. First, I am classified ethnically as Indian (academically as Indo-Fijian) and in the past this meant that my father's name would often follow my name.

Raised in a household of equality, it often concerned me that my mother's name was left out, even though through her I was electorally registered as a General Voter. Second, I am a Christian and while the majority of the population is of the Christian faith, Indian Christians are a minority.

As a member of the Indian Division of the Methodist Church I am in a further minority among Indian Christians in Fiji.

Yet I believe that often we have created two boxes around the word "minority". The first box contains the literal understanding of the term minority based on the above definition. This box excludes minorities in terms of representation in decision-making, the acceptance or perhaps emergence (as in coming out but not yet accepted) of sexual minorities, and the slow (perhaps too slow) recognition of persons with disabilities and living with HIV, the elderly and children as equal members of society, albeit with special needs.

It seems that as a society, it is only the exceptionally strong social conscience or those who have experienced a profound encounter with these minorities that give them the respect and dignity that they deserve as human beings as well as understanding that their particular circumstance demands compassion (not pity) and solidarity (not finger-pointing). At the same time it bemuses me how in a society where women are in equal proportion (more or less) with men in terms of population, we still find women struggling for gender equality.

That 50 (or thereabouts) per cent of the population still is economically, socially and politically a minority is a shameful thing in country whose major religions preach equality of the individual in the eyes of the divine.

I have supported over the years, both in terms of advocacy and with my own vote, the move to have a greater participation of women in decision-making in parliament and I know I am not alone, even though I may be in a minority.

Then there is the other kind of box which limits our understanding of and our positive response to minorities. These minorities are those whose who swim against the tide of popular thought and behaviour. This includes those who dress differently, have eclectic tastes and use unorthodox methods in their work –– be it in the secular, academic or religious field.

Rejected, abused and opposed, many of them play important roles in the evolution of society which is only appreciated when reflected on years later.

There are also those minorities who "rock the boat" and challenge the accepted norms of practice and question decisions based on tradition rather than good judgement and ethical reflection. They also face opposition, rejection and victimisation when they try to change a mindset, even when the point they are making is valid.

A teacher who raises the issue of corporal punishment or a discriminatory dress code is transferred by a principal who would rather not be challenged by issues which in fact are already policies within the education system or have been practiced in the past.

I am not for one moment suggesting that one man or one woman cannot make a difference.

History, our own as well as that of the planet is full of examples, both good and bad, where indeed this has been the case. What I am asking you to consider is that there are many men and women who could be agents for good, yet who find themselves a minority.

We are challenged to open ourselves up to the possibilities for positive change, even if they may sound different to popular positions. As the saying goes, "the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men (and women) to do nothing".

As a Christian servant, I am constantly challenged to leave the ninety-nine and look for the one, in my ministry and in my life. That "one" is the minority. It is the person with HIV looking for compassion in his or her village. It is the gay man or woman looking for love from his or her family and friends.

It is the disabled athlete looking for the same level of sponsorship as that of an able-bodied person. It is every man, woman and child who ever voiced their concern with a wrong decision or action but was ignored.

A family, a community, a nation is only truly united when there is a space where everyone is recognised and respected for who they are and what they think regardless of how challenging or ridiculous it may be.

May the rest of your week be blessed with light, love, peace and the sense of being a equal member of the human race.

This article is the sole opinion of Reverend J.S. Bhagwan and not that of the newspaper or any organisation that Mr Bhagwan is associated with.

Email: padrejames@gmail.com

Breaking walls

Published in The Fiji Times, Wednesday 3rd February, 2010

When I was a little boy, growing up in Lautoka, my family stayed in a government quarters. Quarters #78 at Verona Street was opposite Ground Number One in Churchill Park.

This naturally made Churchill Park, and the creek that ran alongside it, part of my extended backyard.

While my father took on responsibilities within the park, as member then president of the Lautoka Football Association and the Lautoka Rugby Union or Sugar Festival Association, I contented myself with running up and down the length of the field, often with a kite in hand, imagining myself stepping in the footprints of the legends of rugby and soccer and perhaps setting my own footprints of the stars of the future.

In the corner of the park was an old train engine that I would play on for hours. I knew every nook and cranny of Churchill Park Ground Number One.

I even knew the security guards who would let me in when I was not content to sit on the roof of the house to watch the game, boxing match or concert that was taking place.

If the guard did not know the cheeky little boy from across the road and refused to let me in the gate, then I also knew every hole in the fence to the park as well.

The fences around Quarters #78 were just four lines of wire that formed the borders between our house and the road, the creek and the other government quarters on two sides.

You either crawled under (if small enough), or climbed over (if tall enough).

Hedges and respect of each neighbours need for privacy made our spaces sacred. My children have been fortunate in that for their formative years of childhood, they have lived in urban communities that do not have fences or walls around each house.

About a year ago, I was sitting on the veranda of my neighbour and senior minister's house one evening when my children came across to see me for the mandatory pre-bedtime hug.

The talatala qase commented to me that he was surprised to see the children not afraid of the dark and coming over.

My response was that they were brought up in urban villages and had not developed a sense of boundaries.

Of course, as parents we have had to teach them about respecting the boundaries of personal and residential space. At the same time it is interesting to watch their interaction with those who set such rigid boundaries in their lives that they neither allow any positivity to flow in or negativity to flow out.

Fences and walls are a defensive measure, to keep out what we consider dangerous or a threat. There is a gate through which people enter and exit.

It is not uncommon in this day and age to find gates locked not only when the owner is out but when the owner is inside as well.

Just as castles, walled villages and towns had guards who challenged visitors with a "Who goes there?" or "Friend or foe" these days those who can afford it have security guards outside their homes to ask the same question or an intercom system next to an automatic gate.

Walls and fences are also designed to keep people in, for their protection or the protection of others.

In days gone by, around a walled castle, fort or village would be a ditch or a moat of water with a single bridge leading to the gated entrance.

Boundaries are important for many people.

However, boundaries are like fences, you can stand at a fence and still communicate with the person on the other side until you are invited over or the fence is removed.

The thing about walls is that sometimes we build them out of a fear or a perception of a threat that is based on a lack of awareness or knowledge. We build up walls to keep out ideas, people and things that are new and strange to us.

Often we use the statement that these defensive measures are a natural part of humanity.

Watching my own and other children, I suggest the opposite; that in fact we are born trusting and open and we are conditioned to be suspicious of the new and different.

In many cases there is good reason to be so. With violence, rape, robbery an unfortunate phenomenon in our society, we teach our children to not talk to strangers.

But along with that comes the concept of not talking to, or even shunning those who are also different, physically, ethnically, culturally, socially and sadly today, spiritually.

We perpetuate the building walls of protection and build walls to keep out anything that threatens the status quo.

These walls extend deep into our psyche and high into our spirituality. Not content to build walls we now box ourselves in, closing ourselves off from anything different to the norm, the convention or culture that we are used to.

That is why we often find ourselves challenged when we are called on to think outside the box.

The time has well passed for us to remove the blocks that prevent our personal growth and development, and that of our communities.

In a sermon this past Sunday, a preacher called on the congregation to remove the walls that separate and build bridges that unite.

We need to call on the gatekeepers that guard the entrances to our societies, and as gatekeepers to our own souls to look beyond the appearance of a foe and recognise the potential friend.

When you shine a light on a box, the light will always shine through the holes and gaps, illuminating the darkness within. The force of love, positivity and truth will eventually surround the walls of fear, negativity and deception and cause them to tremble and collapse.

Let us brick, by brick, take down the walls and transform them into stepping stones and bridges.

"God is love. Perfect love casts out fear... and hatred. God's love breaks down walls that exclude and divide."

Opening eyes, ears, heart

Published in the Fiji Times Wednesday, January 27, 2010

THE term "navel gazing" refers to some religious practitioners who stare at their navel to enter a deep meditative trance.

It is certainly true that some meditation poses place people in a prime position for navel gazing and contemplating one's navel can have powerful connotations in religions where people view the navel as the centre of life or as an energy source.

A specific term has even been invented to describe religious navel gazing omphaloskepsis from the Greek words for navel and inquiry. The term can also be applied to people who seem to be extremely self-absorbed or unaware of their surroundings because they are too focussed on their own issues.

In this sense, the term is generally meant to be derogatory, implying that someone needs to open his or her awareness a bit to think beyond the current situation or to consider others. In this sense, navel gazing is viewed as rather self indulgent.

In an attempt to ensure that my own navel-gazing is not considered the second of these definitions, I make a constant effort (and I admit that sometimes it is an effort) to pay attention to what is happening in the world around us. As we observe world events, the patterns of power, oppression, peacemaking, justice and reconciliation become clear and help us focus our attention and intention during our navel-gazing. As I looked from my navel to the world, this is what I saw:

The World Council of Churches has called on the international community to cancel quake-stricken Haiti's foreign debt, hunger, racial violence, natural disasters, the continued destruction of eco-systems by pollution and an increasing gap between the haves and the have-nots. The latest figures on the impact of the global economic crisis show more than 80 per cent of families in the most vulnerable communities in Tonga and Tuvalu do not have enough money for food.

As I returned my gaze from the world to my navel I thought how small, how solvable our problems are in Fiji. It reminded me of a story a preacher shared in church some time ago.

One day a man complained to God that his cross was too big and heavy.

God took the man to a large warehouse with a small door and said: "Go inside and leave your cross by the door. Inside, you will find crosses of different sizes and shapes. Take whichever one you like."

Leaving his cross just inside the door, he went into the warehouse. Inside were hundreds of crosses and, yes, some were bigger than the others but even the smallest one he could find was much bigger than the cross he had been carrying.

After searching through the crosses for several hours, the man headed back toward the door in disappointment. Nearing the door, in a darkened corner, he saw a small cross. It was smaller than any other cross he had seen in the warehouse. Joyfully he picked it up and carried it through the door and showed it to God.

"See what I found!" he cried with joy as he approached God. "It is just the right size for me. I can carry this cross."

"I'm glad you can handle it," God replied. "It is the cross you brought here."

The start of the national dialogue process is another opportunity to attain mutual understanding on how to move our nation forward. As citizens of Fiji we all need to accept that for any exchange to take place, those sitting at the table on which the future of Fiji rests need to practise active listening, take onboard what other parties are saying, rather than merely waiting for their chance to speak.

Participants in the national dialogue forum are given the responsibility to genuinely enter into dialogue with those they may not normally sit at the table with. This may be a cross to carry but compared to the other crosses being borne around the world it is a small cross.

The weight of this cross can be made lighter by active listening. The reward of this cross is that understanding can be achieved. Jiddu Krishnamurti (Indian theosophist philosopher, 1895-1986) said: "When we talk about understanding, surely it takes place only when the mind listens completely -- the mind being your heart, your nerves, your ears -- when you give your whole attention to it."

As we raise our gaze from our navel, as we engage with other human beings, let us make an effort to open our eyes, ears, and minds.

Let us recognise the common soul-force within our different physiologies, let us speak to each other the common language of love. Let us set free the power of the positivity within us, caged by fear.

* This article is the opinion of Reverend JS Bhagwan and does not necessarily represent the views of this newspaper or any other organisation or institution Padre Bhagwan is affiliated with.

email: padrejamesgmail.com

What Are Friends For?

Published in the Fiji Times 13/1/10

My late father once said to me, “Have many acquaintances, but only a few friends.” According to my Facebook Profile, I have 1,061 “friends” – some who I have only met through this online social network. If I were to take the title of the Terence Hill and Bud Spencer movie, “He who finds a friend, finds a treasure,” to heart, I would consider myself quite wealthy! When my father died I found out that he had not followed his own advice, as those who in expressing their condolences considered him a friend were literally in the hundreds.

This past weekend I was co-celebrant in the wedding of the president of a prominent Suva-based club. At the wedding rehearsal, the day before I was informed that the groom, instead of having one Best Man and a number of Groomsmen, would in fact have one Groomsman and four Best Men. Today one of my closest friends, Sevanaia Tora, Fiji’s original Disc Jockey, percussionist extraordinaire and incidentally the Best Man at my wedding, celebrates his birthday. From all your soul brothers, and soul sisters: Happy Birthday Yo!

As I reflected on my own wedding and my choice of best man and the impact that my friends have had in my life, I realised that perhaps we use the word friend too loosely, or perhaps without an understanding of the gravitas associated with this word.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word “friend” has its roots in the Old English word “frēon,” which means” to love,” and “frēo,” which means, “free.” It defines a friend as “one attached to another by affection or esteem;” “one that is not hostile;” “one that favors or promotes something (as a charity);” “a favored companion.” There is also “Friend,” which refers to someone who is “a member of a Christian sect that stresses Inner Light, rejects sacraments and an ordained ministry, and opposes war,” known in some circles as a ”Quaker”. I do not know how many readers would consider their “friends” in this last category, but you never know.

Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), the poet, novelist, musician, and playwright wrote, “Depth of friendship does not depend on length of acquaintance.” From experience I understand this to mean that a soul connection doesn’t need to grow, it can just be a transmission of the divine spark of love. The Christ said of friendship, “Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends” (John15:13). How many of us would be willing to lay our lives down for our friends? We are quick to accept this responsibility for our family members; but for our friends? When we talk about laying down our life, we usually assume it means to die a physical death. But this isn't necessarily so in all cases. For we can put our life on the line by standing up for what we know is right, and in many cases this might seem harder than dying. It takes real courage to take a stand that is unpopular. Those for whom we stand are our friends, whether we acknowledge them or not. Even taken metaphorically, this statement by Christ requires us to re-evaluate the way we value friendship. It also calls us to revaluate who we consider to be our friends.

Our friends are those who accept us as we are, not as we see ourselves or wish we could be. They are those who look beyond our foibles recognise the spirit of goodness, the capacity for loving and being loved (however we chose to express it). Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, "If you judge people, you have no time to love them."Too often we set criteria for friendship based on material and social compatibility. In doing so, we deny ourselves the opportunity to engage with people who are not only like-minded but kindred spirits. We miss out opportunities to foster understanding, for it is our friends who truly understand us.

It is our true friends who rally us on, offer us a shoulder to lean on, or cry on. Our true friends encourage us, challenge us and admonish us out of their concern for us. Our truest friends can be our biggest critics if they see us taking a wrong turn. Our true friends act out of their love for us, not merely in response to our love of them. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

May the rest of your week be blessed with love, light, peace and joy of true friendship.

Rev. James Bhagwan is a member of the Faculty of Davuilevu Theological College and is an Associate Minister at Dudley Methodist Church in Suva. This article is the opinion of Reverend James Bhagwan and does not necessarily represent the views of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, any other organisation or institution Padre Bhagwan is affiliated with or this newspaper.
Visit the Blog - http://thejournalofaspiritualwonderer.blogspot.com/ or email padrejamesgmail.com

Soul Brother has left the building ... moce Kavai

I was blessed to be able to witness the love of a community for a man of love today. As I listened to the tributes, the sermon and story of the last days of Kavai’s life – I reflected on those who had died in this time of celebration between 25th December, 2009 and 1st January, 2010. Could it be that his soul had learnt all its lessons for this life and was ready to move on?
Standing at Vatuwaqa Cemetery, while all heads were down, listening to the words of comfort from the pastor, or in deep introspection; I looked up to the sky and watched the clouds form perfect circles and even a heart. One journey for Kavai had ended, but another was just beginning. The evolution of the spirit had outgrown the physical limitations. United in the Christ-consciousness, he is now forever with Sara, their children, his family and all his friends and colleagues. His love-force will envelope and indwell with them, giving them strength and blessing them in turn with the vision, compassion and humanity with which he himself was blessed with.

Sara, souls united in love can never be separated – this is not just theology, this is a law of the universe. In whatever form the next life takes, we will all be able to recognise each other’s love-force.

To my brothers and sisters in the media – let Kavai’s love-force remove whatever fear prevents you from loving yourselves and others with all your heart, mind and strength. He lives through each story in which you not only write, report and broadcast – but also learn a life lesson from. He experienced the simplicity, serenity and spontaneity of life. We all can.

God bless you.

POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS: THE KEY TO 2010

Published in The Fiji Times, Wednesday 6th January, 2010

Happy New Year!

As we approach the end of the first week of 2010, many of us are already struggling to maintain our New Year’s resolutions. This year instead of making a “resolution”, I have decided to go with instead, an “affirmation” to submit to the divine plan of God. From a Christian scriptural perspective this can be found in the Letter of James (the saint, not the fellah writing this article): "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7).

2010 will be another year of challenges for Fiji, but I also sense it will be a year of opportunities in terms of peace-building and replacing the climate of fear (within all leadership structures) with the unconditional love that allows us to be free to manifest God's will in our lives and recognise the other as part of the one. This may happen easily for those who are prepared to do so, but I also recognise that it may be a difficult and painful process for many.

I would like to share with you two prayers which have given me peace and courage to face the future without the fear of the unknown. The first is by the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971). It has inspired countless people seeking peace and strength in times struggle, despair, and uncertainty since it was first written:

God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.

I have read that the intention of the Serenity Prayer is to bring peace, faith, and certainty to the mind and heart of those seeking God's support. It asks God for the wisdom and ability to gracefully accept "what is," (what cannot be changed) and for the willingness to manifest, with God's support, that which is in one's highest good. (Courage to change the things which should be changed).

The Serenity Prayer was adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous and has also been used in Narcotics Anonymous and other Twelve-step programs. It has also been use by well-known singers, songwriters, and artists such as Neil Young; Whitney Houston; the 70's rock group, Boston; Sinéad O'Connor, the once famous bald singer of the 1990s and even well-known rapper, 50 Cent raps the first two lines of the serenity prayer in his song, Gotta Make It To Heaven.

The second prayer is a well-known prayer by the 13th Century saint, Francis of Assisi. The last time I heard it used was Ratu Epeli Nailatikau’s prayer of dedication when he was sworn in as Fiji’s 4th President last year. I have been told that the late Tui Nayau and former Prime Minister and former President of Fiji, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara also used it as his prayer of dedication.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

St. Francis' prayer is a bold one, asking for strength to give of ourselves to meet the needs of others. He recognises that it "is in giving that we receive", that as we give of ourselves, we receive the peace and blessing of the Christ.

As you begin the journey through this year and as you face situations that require peace, consolation, hope, light, I encourage you to pray these prayers, to use these positive affirmations. Pray them; share them; and live them. This year let us be instruments of positivity and peace.

This article is the opinion of Reverend James Bhagwan and does not necessarily represent the views of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, any other organisation or institution Padre Bhagwan is affiliated with or this newspaper.
Visit the Blog - http://thejournalofaspiritualwonderer.blogspot.com/ or email padrejamesgmail.com