Calling by Lucky Navaratne.
Appreciation and a Tribute to all the De La Salle Christian Brothers
Calling all Bens and all who received the guidance- upbringing of our founder Brother De LaSalle.
It was truly amazing to hear the strategic plan drafted by the present OBU of my Alma Mater.
The potential of which I am confident, SBC would return to the glorious “Sixties Era”.
We shall stand behind our present OBU, prayerfully with the best of intentions. I am extending the invitation to all who benefitted from the humble Christian Brothers, to participate in Spirit and Strength by contacting your local OBU branch in your region.
As for me, I spent 10 solid wonderful years of my youth at SBC in the Sixties, during this period, feeding and the feeling I carried in my “Heart”; We Bens were nothing but the best, “There is no other school in the entire island fitting the Motto “true to our God and True to all men.”
Coming from a remote village school at the age of 10, my father, enrolled three of his older male children at St. Joseph’s at Maradana. Two weeks later, my dad and the Rector at St. Joseph, walked into my Class room and pulled me out of class telling me “I am taking you to a better school”.
My dad had gone through three Christian Schools during his teen years, governed by Religious orders.
That was my beginning with the humble Christian Brothers at Grade 5-Primary, at Kotahena.
Today I know without a shadow doubt, it was the “will” and the operation of the “Holy Spirit”. Today my life is the true testimony of the Fruit of the Lasallian dream. [A]
My high-school years in the Sixties at SBC were the most wonderful years of the Lasallian up-bringing and I am very grateful to all the Christian Brothers who were called by their Maker to accomplish a great work for humanity, originated by John Baptist De La Salle.
Today I am 74, feeling like 30 when I converse with my colleagues from my Ben-Family.
A grateful and heartfelt thanks to all the Christian De La Salle Brothers who taught us to be children of an Almighty, Living and a loving God, operating in the hearts of humanity.
Brethren! If you have attended a school run by the De La Salle Christian Brotherhood, you have walked holding hands with the Apostles of Christ. I mean this from the bottom my heart soul and mind.
1965 was the Centenary year for St. Benedicts College and I was a partaker of the Brotherhood of a community of great teachers and chosen students who enjoyed the operation of Grace coming through our Christian Brothers called to serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords of all eternity.
Sixties were the Glorius years of my Alma Mater, we old Bens want to bring this era back to the present.
Cream of the students who enjoyed the Glory years of the Institution have rallied back to make this a reality.
The Motto of the institution is “True to our God and True to all men. Through my Christian brothers, I learnt to call my friends “Brothers in Christ”.
In 1965, I was 17, College Prefect, Deputy of the Luke house under Ben-Brother Felix Dias who was brilliant Athlete, Cricketer and an academic who is today a part of the team of old boys of the present OBU.
I was a college Boarder under Late Rev. Brothers Matthaeus and Modestus.
I got my first break to play in 1st Eleven Cricket Squad under the Brilliant Cricketer-Skipper Sunil Fernando and coached by an outstanding Cricketer late Mr. Bertie Wijesinghe.
1965, I was a member of the 2nd eleven, due to the age factor, my friend and brother Harold Sirisena opened up a spot in the first eleven. I was given that place and the 1st game against the strong Anandians, A.G Perera had already made a century against us. Sunil who was the Wicket-Keeper and Skipper for the Bens offered his Gloves to Kumar Ramanadan who was the Official deputy Wicket-Keeper. For some reason Kumar let go of the offer and the job fell on me. I still remember keeping up to the out-swing of Anuruda Witanachi and pace bowling of Nimal Gunetunge. Sunil, the great allrounder used his Bowling skill to fight-back for a drawn encounter. For the next three seasons I held that post for the Bens.
1966 and 1967 were more superagility life at the college, under a world-renowned soccer coach Sir Albert Fernando I was a part of soccer team packed by renowned athletes like Suriyakumar Seneviratne, Thilak Pieris, Donald Bastiampillai, Collin Fernandopulle, late Amalraj and the Fernando brothers Benildus and Damian. Sorry guys; I have only put some names; I will include the rest as superheroes on my next Blurb.
My story is all based on the spiritual revelation received by Jean Baptist De La Salle in the hall-ways of his Monasteries in the 16th century after Christ.
Matthew 24;31, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Jean Baptist De La Salle was a French Catholic Priest, hailing from a very rich family, who initiated the order of the Christian Brothers who dedicated their lives to the Academic growth of a human, coupling with the hope of the Mystery revealed as “Salvation” documented in Scripture.
[A script from his biography: In the 16th century after Christ, most children had little hope for social and economic advancement. Moved by the plight of the poor who seem so far from Spiritual Salvation and the brutal Slavery of this world, he was determined to put his God given talents and advanced academics to service the “poor”.]
Brother La Salle had access to scripture, that was withheld by the Clergy of the Christian Church, secluding the Scripture from the average human. The Clergy used scripture as an educational tool of Christian Philosophy and Christian Theology.
Brother De La Salle, understood the calling as “Whatever you do to the least of my brother, you do unto me”.
Apostolic calling is not the “Priesthood or the Pastor-sheep” of a Christian denomination. The Mystery and truth of the calling was hidden in the written scripture until another Clergyman (Luther) discovered in 1517 AD. [B]
The universal Priesthood and free examination of scripture by any human born of Eve is the discovery of the Mystery-treasure documented in the Gospel, Matthew 13: 44, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
This is exactly what I discovered at the age of 45. Nine (9) months of searching for the deliverer of Mankind hidden in the Scripture and to receive his calling on the 25th day of December, 1992. [A]
I was Baptized with the “Helper” sent upon humanity on the day of Pentecost.
The instant change of Heart was no different to what Apostle Paul experienced and documented in his Epistles.
Scripture reveals to a believer in Christ: Our eternal Father made us in his image not to perish with the rebellious angels who were separated on the 1st day of creation as the “Darkness”. [B]
After the day of Pentecost in the year 33AD: His grace and the blessing of Salvation are open to all humanity born of Eve. [B]
The mystery of our Redemption through the Holy One of Israel, prophesized through out the history of Israel became the written word, only to be revealed to those who seek “him” diligently with a contrite (penitent) heart, embracing the 66 books of scripture. [A]
What is the Apostolic call?
It is Jesus calling! Matthew 1:16 “Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.”
They were not called to be Priests or Pastors of a denomination; they were called to receive and propagate the mystery of our “Salvation”.
Mark 16:15, He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,”
Redemption Through His Blood is the Mystery unlocked with the KEY given to Apostle Peter by his teacher Christ. 3000 humans received this gift of “Faith” on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:37, “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Apostle Paul received the Full Revelation of God’s Grace, coined to this Mystery with the same Pentecostal light that Blinded him with the Spoken word (I am Jesus you are Persecuting).
This mystery is revealed to the Heart of the Faithful! So, no other human eye could see or no other human ear could hear or no human mind could perceive, the mystery revealed to those who receive this Baptism of the “Trinity”.
Paul was absolutely sure of this mystery to write to the Church of Ephesus, Ephesians 1:3, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us.
The human mind uses the Organ-Brain, to operate in the earthly Realm of the Logical world. (Science and knowledge of Dead visible matter). [B]
The “Redeemed of Christ” use the Organ-Heart, to operate in the Heavenly Realm of the Kingdom of God from earth, still breathing Oxygen. The Living Human heart is not different to a musical instrument powered by the Grace from the Maker of Life. It has a beat, rhythm and a sound. Human Heart is the Mystery-Organ that reads and plays the Music of the Creator to the Rhythm of written Scripture.
King Solomon who lived 3000 years before our time, who received the Wisdom of our Maker wrote everything that Jesus declared with his lips. Ecclesiastes 3: 9-11,” What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Eternity resting in our heart is the mystery of the heart of God placed in the human-Adam. “Rest” for our Soul is Redemption through Christ!
This “Rest” is Jesus, Revelation 1:8, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
For the Faithful of Christ: The Lyrics of Redemption, taught by Jesus to his Apostles, “the Will of the Father”.
This is the only song of Grace in the New Testament Matthew 6:10, “your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
A sincere message from a Ben-brother to all the brothers of the Ben-Family around the Globe.
The calling of our founder brother by his Maker is the unfolding legacy propagated to every Ben, involuntarily passed on by the humble brotherhood of the true Christian teachers who followed the True guiding principles of Scripture.
True measure of success of a quality life on earth is not the Glory received from men. All the riches and fame of this world end in the grave, buries and turns to dust, but the riches gained through the guidance of the faithful Christian Brothers during our formative years, shall be the traits of our Sovereign Maker of humanity, lasting forever.
The introduction done by Brother Romesh to our Canadian group, focusing on the Scripture verse “feed my Lambs” is a true indication of the calling we all received from the beloved Christian Brotherhood.
On earth, Jesus called all his Children to be his Sheep and he shall be the only Shepherd.
Rev. Brother Pubudu; strengthened it with his only prayer taught by Jesus to his Apostles.” Thy will be done”, finally, the ending out the presentation with the Prayer “in Jesus we live” I know if we walk in his Light as the Apostle John said in his Gospel, nothing is impossible.”
Our guarantee to the hard-working committee of Ben-Brothers: Peter, Felix and the OBU: We shall uphold you with the utmost powerful tool on earth, provided to humanity by the Maker of Life, taught to us by the humble Christian Brothers of Christ, “Prayer”.
Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builder’s labor is in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.”
Reference [A] 66 Bones That Saw No Decay by LuckyN – Xulon Press 2018.
Reference [B] christianityisme.com
