Our Salesian Regional for the south Asian region in his homily on the occasion of the independence day and the assumption of our lady made an observation on the dichotomy that exists between religion and spirituality. He started by mentioning the three questions that he put forward to the school authorities and students of the St. Anthony’s in Shillong.
He began the flurry of questions:
Which is the most spiritual country in the world? The answer was invariably India. The second question was – Which is the most corrupt country in the world? The answer again was with a loud noise. India! India! Then came a third question which silenced all – How can we be both Spiritual and be freed from corruption. No one seemed to verbalize an answer. Fr. Arockiam says that it is not that the children do not understand our questions. They do understand our questions……
India is definitely a spiritual country. But does the practice of religion resonate with our being spiritual? There exists a dichotomy between religion and spirituality. Religion is mostly understood to be the performance of few rituals to get something from God. It is a high time to question our way of living. Young people want to see in us credulity. Young people these days go after things that are higher. They go in search of peace, silent places. Padre Pio, a saint of credibility, when he was alive attracted many youngsters…..We need to be pointers to the ultimate reality, and show by our life that there is also an internal reality of being with God while being spiritual.
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