By Fr. Joe Mannath SDB –
I heard of him first from some seminarians who came around to collect money for his heart surgery, which, even with the discounts that the hospital was willing to give, he could by no means afford. His life teaches me much about love and about courage, and about what following Christ really means.
Mr. Dorairaj—I have changed the name—had been a college lecturer. Disappointed by the unjust practices of the institution, and keen on doing something for the poor, he resigned his teaching job and became an activist among the penniless. Unlike a number of people who work for the poor while leading comfortable lives, Dorairaj and his wife lived a simple life, and amassed no wealth. When he developed heart disease and needed an operation, he was brought to one of the hospitals in Chennai. A group of admirers and well-wishers who knew his integrity and his lack of funds started contacting people to raise money for the operation. Dorairaj’s own stand was clear. He told his friends: “Get me treated only if you think I am useful for the people. If not, I have no problem dying. Do not waste money on my surgery, if this will not help the people.”
One of our theology students in Poonamallee seminary came to know Dorairaj in hospital, and was deeply impressed by the man’s commitment and courage. He told him: “Sir, when you leave the hospital, I would like to keep in touch with you. Could you please give me your address?” Dorairaj’s reply: “Brother, I have no address. My friends sold their house to get me admitted in hospital. I do not have a house. I do not know where I will go after the operation.”
That reply needs no commentary. In fact, added words will only spoil the power of such witness. Dorairaj’s lifestyle made me realize the meaning of Jesus’ words, “the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” It was humbling to see such a courageous and committed believer who made no show of his faith, who did not preach, who did not have a public vow of poverty.
I, who am writing this, am a priest and a member of a religious order. Like other vowed religious, I have made the vow of the poverty. Like other religious, too, I am among the most financially secure persons around. We live middle class lives, anything between the simple and the extravagant, depending on the particular religious order and the convictions of individuals, but hardly any of us can be called poor in the real sense of the term. We have good housing, more than adequate food and clothes, enough money for medicine, travel and emergencies. We do not, by and large, live lives of financial insecurity or risk where we really “lay our lives on the line” for God. In fact, I would say that, to live lives of moderate commitment as priests and religious, one does not even need a deep faith and prayer life.
What I have said about religious and priests is also true of a large number of lay persons, especially those who belong to the middle and upper middle classes. Our security lies largely in our investments, our cleverness and connections, our influence and background.
Lives like Durairaj’s challenge our complacency. What does it mean to trust God and take risks for what one believes in? What does it mean to sacrifice status and security to serve those who have very little of either? What does it mean for an educated person who knows the ropes and understands the tricks and power games of those around him, to live his life by other rules?
Such persons are fools in the eyes of the world. By “world,” I do not mean lay people, as opposed to priests and religious. I mean it in the New Testament sense, namely, those who reject God’s standards and live self-centred lives. They can be found in presbyteries and religious houses as easily as in private homes and corporate offices. Recently, a priest who has worked among the poor, has been harassed, arrested, threatened with death, told me, “Other priests ask me: ‘So, what have you achieved by trying to be for the poor?’” Their idea of “achievement” and his are obviously different—radically different.
Thank God there are “fools” like Dorairaj who put the needs of the poor before their own comfort; who are willing to take risks for what they believe in; whose life shows a sense of God far deeper than what we “professional religious” give witness to. When the pettiness, the self-seeking and the ruthlessness around us appear overpowering, and we nearly suffocate in the miasma of the world’s (and our own) sinfulness, examples like Durairaj’s can show us another kind of achievement. What defines me? Where do I get my sense of importance? Where does my security lie? In my bank balance? In my respectable address? In my connections and pull? Or in something more intangible, which can be very real if I see it with my inner eye and seek it with courage and with love.
The young often perceive the core truths more clearly than the rest of us do. I remember a student of philosophy who, on his return from an “exposure camp” with the activists working among the very poor, told me: “Those activists lead much simpler and more committed lives than we do. In fact, they are more inspiring than you all.” (The “you all” referred to us, seminary professors.)
I have no defense here. I am ready to admit that a life like Dorairaj’s is more committed and more Christ-like than mine any day. Courageous and humble men like him show us the meaning of spirituality better than books and sermons, or articles like this one.
Father (Doctor) Joe Mannath SDB is the National Secretary of the Conference of Religious of India (CRI). He is a Seminary formator/professor for 18 years, and professor at Madras University (12 years), visiting professor in the US (some 20 summers), as well as in Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Thailand and UK. He conducts seminars for educators, religious and priests; counseling; parish ministry; past president of the Association of Christian Philosophers of India and of the Salesian Psychological Association. He is a member of British Mensa; a thinker listed in the Marquis “Who’s Who” in the world. He’s also a linguist who knows English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Malayalam, Spanish and Tamil. Studies: M.A. and Ph. D. from Rome, research in psychology and religion at Oxford University, post-doctoral visiting scholar at Harvard University and Boston College. Also an Author/editor of both academic and best-selling books (including University textbooks) and hundreds of articles; enjoys friendships, jokes and cartooning. E-mail: [email protected]