Sr Jesny CMC

We who are at the dawn of the twenty-first century may wonder to realize that stability of the family in the second half of the eighteenth century was comparatively far better, though there existed illiteracy and false beliefs. It was from such a social setting that Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara wrote “Oru Nalla Appante Chavarul,” the Magnacarta for a good family life in 1868.

St. Chavara, a man of divine wisdom and far-sightedness, could very well recognize that family is the first school and parents are the first teachers. He wrote the “Chavaurul to create an atmosphere of heaven in the families.” St Chavara says: do not be satisfied with seeing the Holy Mass on Sundays and other days of obligation, rather spend the major part of the day in listening to the sermons, reading spiritual books, visiting the sick, specially the poor, and do all possible services for their well-being. When we dig deep into the contents of the Chavurul we find that it is an explanation of the Ten Commandments. As we all know, out of the Ten Commandments, the third one is about how to observe the Sabbath, the day of the lord.

Lord asks us to keep the Sabbath holy. The seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord and you shall not do any work. On the way to Canaan, those who obeyed the Lord could see His intervention. Rest on the Sabbath day is actually the proclamation of faith in the Divine Providence. St Chavara tells us to leave out all other works on Sundays and attend the Holy Mass and also to listen to the sermon carefully. It is a day to turn back, to evaluate, to thank, and to revive and renew one’s body, mind and soul. St Chavara strongly held that we should not engage in any work that hinder the observance of Sunday and should not make others work.

Jesus taught that the Sabbath should overflow with the acts of mercy. St Chavara showed paternal care and concern to the poor, the sick and dying. If we do follow his footsteps, the Heavenly Kingdom will be waiting for us. Let us ignite ourselves with the grace that the Lord promised.