hidden image

“Let us Go to the Other Side”

Varghese Alengaden Varghese Alengaden
13 Jun 2022
The words of Jesus to his disciples in Mark 4:35, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake”

The words of Jesus to his disciples in Mark 4:35, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake” was the theme of the general synaxis of a religious congregation. As I reflected on this theme, I found it very relevant to review the way of life and mission of the Church.

The Church which is caught up with the age-old traditional routine style is very slow to experiment any new initiative. In general, people are enthusiastic to new ideas. These new ideas are not put into practice because there is unwillingness to give up the old. Knowing this mind set, Jesus spoke very categorically, “put the new wine in new wineskin”. He warned the danger of doing patch work and compromise. “If you put new wine in old wineskin, the wineskin will break and the wine will be wasted.”

Today, consecrated men and women in the Church are busy with various welfare activities and managing several educational institutions. Yet the Church is facing opposition, harassment, alienation and elimination. All the dedicated works don’t help them in getting the good will of people who believe in the negative propaganda of the anti-church forces.

Despite the negative propaganda against the Church and opposition faced by the priests and nuns, there is not only reluctance but resistance from the Church leadership to evaluate its life and work. There is resistance to go for an exposure for learning alternatives. They continue with the old ways of retreats, rituals and way of life. Hardly very little effort is made “to go to the other side”.

The unwillingness to give up the old ideas and way of life, fear of the unknown, prejudice against those who propose new alternatives and experiments often proved successful are the reasons for their resistance to take the initiative of going to the other side. But by this resistance to go for exposure and learn from new experiments by those in leadership positions deprive the community and institution of development. Members miss opportunities for personal growth.

‘Going to the other side’ also provides opportunities to learn the perspectives and opinion of others. We need to have the humility to find out what people think of our life and mission. Following the example of Jesus, we need to find out ‘what do people say about us and our work’?   Leaders need to have the courage to evaluate themselves by asking the members and people in the society, ‘what do you say about me and my way of life’?  

Regular, rather daily, introspection of oneself is the key to one’s spiritual growth. Similarly, the communities should evaluate people’s impression about them and their works? Evaluation is done with a genuine search for truth, truth about oneself and about a community. 

The unwillingness of individuals to accept a transfer from a familiar place and work is due to lack of understanding spirituality behind the words of Christ, “let us go to the other side”. Personally, I had enriched by practicing this spirituality. When I had to bear six transfers in two years, initially I too was very upset because I felt that I was given these transfer orders as punishment. However, I took every transfer as an opportunity to learn from new place and people. These transfers taught me many noble lessons and I discovered many unique blessings in all these new and unfamiliar places. Throughout my life I kept the spirit of “let us go to the other side” and I continued receiving new insights.

I wish if persons were open to explore new possibilities whenever they have to go to new places and work with new people to discover their unknown talents. I wish if those in leadership positions have the courage and openness to set aside the routine traditional practices and enable members to explore new ways of living and working in order to make the community life and mission more relevant and effective. “Let us go across to the other side”. 

Recent Posts

The Emergency must be remembered, not as a tool to target a political party but as a lesson against authoritarian excess. Yet, we cannot ignore that worse violations of democratic norms and human righ
apicture A. J. Philip
30 Jun 2025
Fifty years later, India faces a chilling déjà vu with an 'undeclared' Emergency. Freedom of speech is stifled, dissent is suppressed, and institutions are compromised. True democracy demands resistan
apicture Cedric Prakash
30 Jun 2025
Amit Shah's claim that those who speak English will be ashamed evidences that the BJP-RSS is trying to bring down the populace and push India into another Vedic dark age where ignorance and superstiti
apicture Jacob Peenikaparambil
30 Jun 2025
The NSE's ?1,400 crore settlement with SEBI raises critical concerns about India's financial markets. Any perceived regulatory capture risks eroding trust.
apicture Jaswant Kaur
30 Jun 2025
Christian education in India has had a profound influence on democracy and social justice in the country. It played a pivotal role in challenging caste oppression, promoting inclusivity, and fostering
apicture Fr Soroj Mullick, SDB
30 Jun 2025
"The spread of digital culture, particularly evident among young people, is profoundly changing their experience of space and time; it influences their daily activities, communication, and interperson
apicture Joe Eruppakkatt
30 Jun 2025
Welcome to the Happy State of Emergency: Where freedom is carefully curated, minds are pre-cooked, and Big Brother doesn't need to frown—he just raises one eyebrow... and we salute…!
apicture Robert Clements
30 Jun 2025
The North-South divide reflects India's broader regional and cultural tensions. The progress of Southern states in health, education, and development contrasts with the Hindi belt's struggles on devel
apicture Thomas Menamparampil
23 Jun 2025
India's 2027 census and ensuing delimitation will redefine its political landscape. As northern states gain influence due to burgeoning population, southern states will face reduced representation des
apicture Dr John Singarayar
23 Jun 2025
For India to become a global healthcare power, it must democratise medical education—revise outdated rules, invest in public institutions, expand seats, embrace technology, and ensure affordability. A
apicture A. J. Philip
23 Jun 2025