Herb Hoefer
Update
January 19, 2007
Friends and Family,
The bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese in the Nagercoil area died
while I was there. The Bishop's Palace is right across the street from the
seminary, so we made a processing with a wreathe to the viewing. There was a
huge, dignified procession taking the body to the
gravesite.
They organized it very impressively, with a band leading the way and then
priests and monks in their cassocks walking down either side of
the main street before the coffin and with all the masses following behind.
As the procession proceeded, nuns read Scripture verses,
chanted, and sang songs over loudspeakers as a way to provide Christian
witness to all the spectators lining the streets and looking out
windows.
One of our seminary professors commented that the RC bishop in this region
is more powerful than the Collector (chief gov't.administrator) or any
politician. The politicians have influence only among their own party
members, and the gov't. has to dance to politicians' tunes. The RC bishop,
however, controls many institutions (colleges, hospitals, etc.) and has sway
over masses. No doubt, the politicians and gov't. officials noticed well how
many thousands showed up for the funeral procession at short notice. The
successor will inherit that reputation!
This is the time of year when one of the major Hindu cults, the Aiyappa
group, has its great pilgrimage.They are to walk barefoot as many miles as
possible to the pilgrimage site. They should climb five large hills totaling
64 km., spending one night on each. The last one is the main one, and those
who are unable to do the whole course can even take a bus up to the last
site.
As I sat to each supper in a restaurant in Nagercoil, a group of pilgrims
from Sri Lanka came in and three sat with me. We discussed
their spiritual experience.They said they have done this for several years.
It is a 48-day period during which they are not to shave, have sex, eat
meat, gamble, or drink alcohol.
I asked them what benefit they have found in doing these pilgrimages. One
spoke of his business prospering better. Another said he gained
self-confidence, evidenced by his ability now to discuss with someone like
me. These movements are very much oriented toward the expectation of
practical blessings in their lives from the deities they worship, what we in
the USA call "health and wealth" theology.
I asked them what on-going spiritual practice they have and how it benefits
society at large, especially the poor. One said their group
tries to gather funds each year to help one poor person to join their
pilgrimage. They also pointed to a ritual they are to perform every
Saturday through the year. I hope I helped them to reflect on the
self-centeredness of their piety.
I traveled on the overnight train to Chennai last night. I always find it
fascinating how the people of different religious traditions carry
on their morning rituals. Christians will be seen reading the Bible.Hindus
will be doing their sunrise ritual. Muslim men will do their
prayers. We get a glimpse into what they practice daily in their
homes.
I'm reading the book "Wild at Heart," given to me by one of my former
students whom we still keep in touch with. He spoke of how much this
book has affected his view of life. It's basically about how men need an
adventure in life to find meaning. I've found it quite enlightening and
quite true as I've reflected on my life. It should be required reading for
the parents of every boy. I even now understand why - to Carol's confusion
and chagrin - my favorite actor is Clint Eastwood and why I want "Man
of Lamancha" sung at my funeral!
God bless.
Herb