The Photo Meditation of the Month (Ocober, 2012): THE AUTUMNAL BEAUTY

Fallen leaves of the Autumn of 2012

Photo (Toronto: October 29, 2012) © Jerome D'Costa

The Autumn season in popularly known as the Fall season. In this season, trees shed their leaves as the winter approaches in cold countries. Before the leaves fall, they turn from green to different other colours. Certain tree leaves take on the yellow colour, some red, some brown and others pink.

It's a thrilling experience to observe these leaves in a varied shapes and colours. The horizon takes on a heavenly look. When the wind blows, leaves fall in great numbers. The ground underneath trees wears a carpet of colourful fallen leaves.

This natural activity is the extension of God's creation on earth. The Fall, like other seasons, sings the praise of God and demonstrates his beauty. Let's appreciate this beauty with our mind, body and spirit. The more we appreciate it, the humbler we become.

The Photo Meditation of the Month (September, 2012): WOMEN

A woman weeding her own garden at Piprashoir Village of Kaliganj District, Bangladesh

Photo (January 11, 2012) © Jerome D'Costa

Women consist of about 50% of the population. They are created by God to be with men and share the resources of the earth. They are placed to be together in joys and hardships of life on earth. They are there to contribute toward the progress and prosperity of mankind.

Yet, in the present world we see, in spite of all the advancement of education, science, theology, social science and others, women are being exploited, mostly by men, for their own ends. In many societies, women are second-class members in their own families, they are second-class citizens in their own countries. They don’t have any or enough rights to be themselves, to fulfill their dreams and aspirations.

Human trafficking is taking a toll of many a woman, they are being bought and sold like consumer goods. They are sexually abused, labourly abused and also abused educationally and financially. These societies, in particular, remain backward, tribal, brute and short. In materially and intellectually advanced countries, too, women still need to gain their proper place.

Equitable opportunities, nurture, and respect for women’s rights can take the world to a higher plane. The world can then be a much more humane, peaceful and fruitful place.

The Photo Meditation of the Month (November, 2011): WINDOW CLEANERS

A window washer on a scaffold at the Bay Street, Toronto

Photo (Toronto: June 16, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

Call them window cleaners, call them window washers -- they are of the same profession and work. They can be seen on scaffolds hanging from high-rise buildings and skyscrappers all over the world.

These men take bold risks in this cleaning business. They stand on scaffolds hanging down with strong ropes from top of the building. They have a pulley system to go up or down according to their need.

When I see them scrubbing, brushing and rinsing glass windows several stories high, I shudder but, at the same time, I marvel at their fait accompli.

Sometimes there is a news on how some ropes give way and the cleaners with their scaffolds fall to the ground with deadly consequences. Can you imagine how their families suffer?

In spite of such a danger and risk, window washers take their job seriously. Risking their lives, they are giving a service to humanity. Such risk takers are making our lives easy. We definitely need to appreciate their work and give them proper respect.

The Photo Meditation of the Month (October, 2011): THE SHEEP

One of the sheep in the Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto, 

feeding on fallen autumn leaves

Photo (Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto: October 29, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

Many countries in the world raise sheep. Many raise them for commercial purposes, to make a living out of them. Sheep supply meat for consumption, give milk for making cheese and yogurt, and provide wool for making warm clothes for winter. 

Sheep are a symbol of obedience, meekness and humility because they rarely attack each other or other animals. The Bible is replete with mentions and examples of the sheep. Jesus Christ himself, in a number of times, gave his teachings based on the sheep. 

In our life if we become like a sheep we can do a lot for building friendship, peace and harmony in our society and in the world. Our sheep-like obedience, meekness and humility can act as a catalyst for bringing about change of hearts. This type of change can be more lasting and fruitful. We have a lot to learn from the ordinary animal, the sheep.

 

The Photo Meditation of the Month (September, 2011): THE EYES

 _

Attentive eyes of a baby

Photo (Toronto: Sept. 13, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

The Eyes

Eyes are a precious gift of God to us. Eyes help us see and appreciate wonderful creations of his. These valuable organs are an integral part of our daily activities.

What we are depends mostly upon what we see, understand and apply in our lives.

According to our state of our mind, our eyes can be innocent, loving, compassionate, inquisitive, angry, rebuking, hateful, taunting or vengeful. With our eyes we can commit sins, too.       

Eyes also can help us acquire knowledge and understanding by keen observation and reading of printed materials.With proper use of our eyes we can express our love for others, comfort others, and encourage others.

Let us use our eyes judiciously for the greater glory of God and for peaceful purposes among human beings.

The Photo Meditation of the Month (August, 2011): THE FEET

_

A female person's foot

Photo (Toronto: August 8, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa 
 

The feet -- our feet -- are a wonderful creation of God. These, like the feet of other animals, give freedom to human beings. The feet make us what we are.

The feet made a great contribution to human civilization. Movement and running from one place to another, jumping, dancing, kicking, and the like made mankind’s actions more varied and colourful. Two simple feet created understanding and bridged friendship between one person and another, between one racial group and another, though many a time these created conflict and misunderstanding through their improper use.

The feet also played an important role in food preparation in different parts of the world. In grape-wine-making countries, people used their feet to crush grapes for fermentation. In rice-producing countries, women use their feet in sun-drying process of newly harvested rice and also in de-husking rice with the dhenki (wooden dehusker).

 

Women’s feet, especially young women’s feet, play a great role in men’s realm of romance and love. Many poems have been written in various languages eulogizing the beauty of women’s feet. There have been conflicts and, even battles, between suitors to win the favour of elegantly feeted women. 

The feet also have a role in expressing respect and loyalty to persons. Even today, in some Eastern cultures, younger ones greet, pay respect and express loyalty by bending down and touching the feet of elderly people. 

On the other hand, the feet are also used as weapons – in kicking and thrashing someone. In domestic violence cases it can be seen that many a husband’s feet were used against their wives. Some of the policemen, in some countries, use their boots in kicking the hell out of citizens deemed as threats. The police, as a form of punishment, also use their feet for kicking arrested persons. 

The same feet, used in a different way, serve as a symbol of degradation and dehumanization. Shoes were thrown at U.S. President George W. Bush in Iraq and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the University of Cambridge, U.K. Ordinary citizens kicked and trampled upon statues, posters and photos of Iraqi President Saddam Hussain and Libyan President Moamar Gaddafi. 

In fine, we should be grateful to God for our feet that help us move about, rush to help others in distress or disaster, create beautiful dances, and the like. The simple feet then can be elevated to a higher plane.

The Photo Meditation of the Month (June, 2011): SPORTS

_

A suomo wrestler in a wrestling position
Painting (Toronto: May, 2011) © Joachim Romeo D'Costa

Sports

Suomo is a popular sport and entertainment in Japan. Suomo wrestlers challenge each other and demonstrate their strength by wrestling and trying to defeat their opponents. Years of preparation, special dieting and practice make these wrestlers what they are. Although it is mainly a Japanese sport, it is gradually being practised in other countries, too.

Each culture and ethnic group of people in the world have their own typical sports, devised by them and practised for centuries. These sports represent these cultures and their pride.

Sports unite people -- sports persons as well as their spectators -- so fast and successfully that no other form of entertainment can surpass it. Sportsmanship is a special gift of God. We all should encourage and sponsor clean and ethical sports for increasing friendship, unity and peace in our communities, countries and the world.

>br>

The Photo Meditation of the Month (May, 2011): BEING A TRUE HUMAN

_

A yellow dandelion flower (at bottom left) and white flurry
seed heads (on top). At bottom right, some seed heads already lost
their seeds in the blowing wind.
Photo (Toronto: May 28, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

Taraxacum, commonly called 'dandelion,' is a flowering plant that has a beautiful yellow, orange or white flower which later gives rise to many white flurry seed heads. These seed heads together look like a misty water fountain. With the wind, seeds fly and disperse to different directions. Then when the wind weakens, these seeds come down to the ground like parachutes. In the following year, new plants come out of these seeds.

Although the flowers look beautiful and the flurry seed heads attract onlookers, they are considered a nuisance because, once they take roots on the ground, they are quite difficult to get rid of. When they grow, they overpower other flower or vegetable plants. During weeding in the garden or crop field, if any part of its root gets torn and stays underground, it will grow from there. That’s why gardeners and crop fielders sort of hate these plants.

Some human beings are like dandelions. Outwardly, they look handsome or beautiful, but through their actions and behavior they create problems for others. Whey they prove their inner self, they are no longer considered handsome or beautiful. They may be nagging type, hateful, cunning, revengeful, or simply annoying. They lack in the correlation between their outside appearance and their internal qualities.

A mature and balanced person tries to be disciplined in words and deeds. If he or she follows Jesus’ precept of loving God and loving one’s neighbor, the world will be a more livable place.

The Photo Meditation of the Month (April, 2011): BIRDS

_

Pigeons in the College Park, Toronto
Photo (Toronto: 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

There's a saying, "Birds of a feather flock together." That means the same type of birds stay and do everything together.

The above photo shows how pigeons are jostling for food given by a bystander in the College Park, Toronto. Some visitors in the park throw food items at birds and squirrels.

They are a beauty to observe -- how birds interact with each other, how they feed baby birds, and how they fly together. Their unity, their sociability and their innocence have something to teach us humans, who, even being of the same ethnic group, have difficulty in interacting with each other and living peacefully.

The Photo Meditation of the Month (March, 2011): GRIEF

_

Cyclone-victims of Urir Char, taking shelter in the nearby
Sandwip Island in the Bay of Bengal, grieving over their
near and dear ones lost in the deadly cyclone
Photo (Sandwip Island, Bangladesh: May, 1985) © Jerome D'Costa

Grief

Grief comes in one's life on the loss of near or dear one. It's an integral part of one's life. Grief, in the form of crying, confusion or disbelief on what actually happened, takes over the life for a time.

A grieving person may feel helpless seeing no hope for the future as the woman in the above photo. She lost her husband and children in the deadly cyclone in the last week of May of 1985. Shortly after midnight, four to five metre high waves, accompanied by strong winds, swept over the low-lying Urir Char island. Fortunately, this woman, like some other people, could save herself by clinging on to a branch of a tree and floating in the bay. She has no earning member left. This lonely and helpless situation is the hardest burden to bear.

Neighbours' help is most essential for a grieving person. As neighbours, we need to be empathetic in our words, gestures and actions. We need to provide company, sharing and hope to such a person. Our effort will gradually help the affected person get over the feeling of emptiness, loneliness and hopelessness. The person then will be able to be a part of the rhythm of normal life and move forward with confidence and hope.

The Photo Meditation of the Month (February, 2011): HOUSEPLANTS

_

Codiaeum or croton plants
Photo (Toronto: February 3, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

These plants, scientifically called codiaeum, are ordinarily known as “croton.” They are simple plants that acquire more robust colours when exposed to brighter sun. Many people keep them as houseplants that serve as decorative items.

They are easy to grow and nurture. They serve as inmates of a house, too! They speak a silent language that is understandable if proper care and attention can be given to them.

We need to marvel at these simple leafy plants. They praise the glory and beauty of God. They touch our hearts and help us ponder beyond our physical world.

The Photo Meditation of the Month (January, 2011): TWO HANDS

_

Two Hands

Photo (Toronto: December 4, 2010) © Mary D'Costa

 

Two Hands

Two hands with their fingers are little limbs but powerful ones. These limbs can bring to reality most of the things that happen in a person's mind.

God gave us two hands to make a living, to touch others and comfort them, to express ourselves by signs and body language, to grow crops, to demonstrate our love, to build, to invent, to express grief when someone dies, to greet others, to write, to draw, to paint, to help others in different ways and to perform many other tasks.

Hands help us climb, crawl and communicate. These are the most necessary accessories of our body. They are a blessing from God.

Although a blessing, these very hands can be used or are used for evil and demeaning purposes. Many use these hands to make weapons, trigger guns, throw bombs, and commit other types of abuse and violence against others.

In our tender age, these hands and fingers are soft and supple, then they become strong and sturdy, and finally in old age they become osteoporous and brittle. Yet, these hands, if desired, can do good to others.

We should be grateful to God for giving us these precious limbs. Let us use them not only for ourselves, but also to do greater good to our neighbours and others.

The Photo Meditation of the Month (December, 2010): ADDICTION

_

An alcoholic lost his way
and took to the sidewalk on Bay and Elm streets, Toronto

Photo (Toronto: Sept. 24, 2010 ) © Jerome D'Costa

Addiction

The above photo shows an alcoholic lying on a roadside. He was so much drunk that he was unable to walk and move anywhere. He was bound to take to the ground with his heavy head. The above picture, although not good to look at, is a stark reality. This picture applies to all countries where people drink and some of whom fall victim to alcoholism -- completely dependent on alcohol. Alcoholism is one of many addictions.

Everyone is addicted to something -- more or less. Some are addicted to alcohol, some to drugs, some to religious fanaticism, some to work (workaholism), some to shopping, some to food, some to sex, some to collecting items, and some to non-work (wasting time doing nothing) and others to something else. When addiction leaves its boundary, when the person is completely irresponsible and becomes dependent on it, it turns to be harmful to the person concerned and to others around him or her.

God has created us to love our neighbours and to love him. To do so, we require to lead a balanced life, a sacrificial life, a life that will bring good to self as well as to others. Addiction should not overtake our life. We should try hard (sacrificial life) to be a caring and responsible persons.

In spite of good lectures and good talks, there will be persons falling victim to different types of alcoholism. Although annoying, intolerable or outright revolting, we should not despise these persons, we should not reject them or we should not throw them away like garbage. If we do so, we become smaller or meaner than them. They are also our neighbours. That's why Jesus said: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

The Photo Meditation of the Month (November, 2010): BEING OF SERVICE TO OTHERS

_

Bark of a birch tree in a family garden in Toronto
Photo (Toronto) © Jerome D'Costa

Bark of a maple tree at the campus of
St. Jerome's University at Waterloo, Ontario
 Photo (Waterloo, Ontario: June 19, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

Being of Service to Others

The bark of each type of tree is different -- in shape, colour and natural design.

Scratching of the bark is a kind of art. Romantic people scratch barks to leave their messages and love symbols of a heart pierced with an arrow. "John was here" or "Shawn loves Jennifer" are such examples.We can call it "the bark language."

Barks are used for various purposes. Almost all over the world, different barks are used for their medicinal properties. North American Indians used to make light canoes with birch tree barks to travel in rivers and waterways. In Europe, making corks of bottles from a special kind of bark was a big industry. Rubber trees give out a whitish juice when their barks are cut in a certain way and the collected juice is turned into rubber after some processing. Tasty maple syrup is also extracted similarly from Maple trees. Certain animals eat selected types of barks for their nutrition and healing. Cinnamon, a spicy bark, is a common spice used widely in the Middle Eastern and the Indian subcontinental cooking.

Barks are so simple but useful to others. We need to thank God for providing such wonderful items for use by his other creations. As the barks are there to serve others, so are the mankind -- the best of God's creations. We also need to be environment-friendly and not exploitative and inimical to trees and other flora. This mutual respect and love will make this world more livable for our generations to come.

The Photo Meditation of the Month (October, 2010): GIVING ONESELF TO OTHERS

_

Bunches of ginger

Photo (Toronto:August, 2010 ) © Jerome D'Costa


Giving Oneself to Others

In Bangla (Bengali) we call it ada, in English ginger. It is a spicy herb extremely popular in Asian cooking. It is also used as an herbal medicine. It is rich in anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. It also helps in stomach disorders.

Although it does not look attractive, its benefits are many. The outward appearance should not mislead us.

Among the creations, mankind is an important one. Mankind, like the ginger, can be helpful and useful to all other creations. Sometimes, mankind behave completely different than intended. People destroy the Nature, pollute environment, become subversive to other human beings, and cause havoc to other creations.

If it wants to, like the ada, mankind can live in peaceful coexistence with others and benefit and enrich others for the better. Let's give it a try for the best of us and the earth and its other creations.

The Photo Meditation of the Month (September, 2010): DEFORMED BUT PERSISTENT

_

A cedar tree at the Sauble Beach, Ontario, Canada

Photo (August 17, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

Deformed But Persistent

This cedar tree, when growing up as a plant, perhaps was damaged by strong wind or human action. It had to face its hostile surroundings. Although it had to struggle when growing up, it did not give up. It became crooked but it still continued its journey forward. Perhaps the owner of the tree was impressed by its indomitable spirit as well as its beauty in deformity. The tree, as if, is standing in a dancing pose! Now it is a strong tree surviving all the odds. It is now inside the compound of a restaurant. In the Summer, when restaurant patrons sit on tables set up in the front lawn, this unusual tree becomes an important topic of their discussion.

Similarly, human beings also face a lot of difficulties and barriers from their birth. There are discouragements, there are hatreds, there are envies and there are even hostilities in front of them. Those, who can wade through these murky waters with their heads held high, can succeed in life. Whatever qualities they have, they must give their best to pursue goals. They may bend, but they must not break! That very attitude of persistence will make them free.

The Photo Meditation of the Month (August, 2010): GIVING UNTIL IT HURTS

_

Hollows in a tree at St. Jerome's University campus, Waterloo, Ontario

Photo (June 19, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

Giving Until It Hurts

Tree hollows form when branches are cut close to the trunk. Due to infection, bug infestation or woodpeckers' pecking holes are formed. These holes or hollows may not be good for the health of a tree, but they surely give shelter to small birds and animals like squirrels, tree rats and others. Many birds build their nests in hollows and hatch their eggs and give life to birdlings.

Trees like this serve others by their amputation and suffering. They shelter others from deadly predators. Sometimes, to creative children, these holes look like noses and mouths -- as if these trees are trying to say something to them.

Mother Teresa once said: "If we do not give until it hurts, there is no meaning to giving." Another time she said: "I have found the paradox that if you love until it hurts, there can be no other hurt, only more love." If we look at great men and women, we see similar examples in their lives. By "dying" through their sacrifices and suffering, they give "life" to others. So, we have a thing or two to learn from hollowed trees!

The Photo Meditation of the Month (July, 2010): UNRECOGNIZED TALENTS

_

An unknown artist's beautiful chalk drawings on two walls
of the College Park, Toronto

Photo (May 31, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

Unrecognized Talents

The above chalk drawings, although done anonymously, are so beautiful, so attractive. They show the talent of the artist. They show the artist's care and love placed in doing the art works. These simple artworks create a sense of joy in the hearts of their viewers.

Human beings are the best creations of God, who gave different quality to different person. In the Bible, these qualities and talents -- both spiritual and worldly -- are called 'charism.' They are also called 'gifts.' These are to be used for the benefit of mankind. They work as complement to each other.

Some people have the gifts of writing, speaking, singing, dancing, doing artistic works, producing good crops, showing extraordinary kindness to others, helping others, and so and so forth. Many a time, all these gifts do not get recognition and acceptance. Yet, the person with the gift go on doing what he likes to do best in the best way possible. Frequently we see how unjustifiable criticism and rejection nip many talents in the bud.

As fellow human beings, let us try to accept and recognize each other's talents and gifts. Let us support each other as much as possible. This way people will feel greatly encouraged and enthused to do further good for the society and country.

The Photo Meditation of the Month (June, 2010): HEADLESSNESS

_

A headless taal (palmyra) tree at Dakkhin Rajnagar
Village in Gazipur District, Bangladesh

Photo (1981) © Jerome D'Costa

Trees become headless by lightning strikes, being battered by storms, being cut by humans, or being affected by boring bugs. This particular taal (palmyra) tree lost its head due to bug attacks. Although it lost its head, this tree is quite sturdy and strong. The owner will cut it and make a good use of this tree. Possible uses could be: one half of the tree from top to bottom could be made into a dugout, called kunda. The other half could be made into planks and use them in making a house or place a plank or two over a ditch to create a make-shift bridge. By being headless, it lost its beauty, it lost its life.

Metaphorically, we also become headless when we behave irrationally, illogically, irreverently. We become headless when we put down people, act with abnormal pride, hate people, create senseless anarchy, and behave too much emotionally and selfishly. In a sense, we don't use our head. We become blind to our humanness as well as humaneness.

As the best creation of God, we need to use our head, we need to use all the good qualities that God endowed us with so that we may create an atmosphere of love and peace in this world. For this very purpose, we need to be filled with the love of God and love of our neighbours. Then, and then only, can we become 'headful' or 'headed' persons.