Tag: LOVE OF CHRIST

Devasahayam Pillai

November 11, 2024 / admin / 0 Comments

Devasahayam Pillai (1712–1752), also known as Blessed Lazarus or Neelakandan Pillai, is celebrated as a saint and martyr in the Catholic Church, especially notable in India. His life story is marked by his conversion from Hinduism to Christianity, his dedication to the faith, and ultimately his execution as a Christian martyr. He is remembered for his challenge to the prevailing social hierarchies of the time and for his steadfast faith under persecution.

Early Life

Birth and Background: Devasahayam Pillai was born Neelakandan Pillai on April 23, 1712, in Nattalam, a village in the Kingdom of Travancore (modern-day Kanyakumari District in Tamil Nadu, India).
Family and Education: He was born into a Hindu Nair family, which belonged to a respected upper-caste community. His family was well-regarded in society, and he was well-educated in traditional Hindu teachings.
Career in the Royal Court: Neelakandan grew up to serve in the royal court of King Marthanda Varma, the powerful king of Travancore. He held an administrative position and was responsible for the management of the royal treasury and other administrative duties.

Conversion to Christianity

Meeting Captain De Lannoy: The turning point in Neelakandan’s life came when he met Captain Eustachius De Lannoy, a Dutch naval commander who was captured by Travancore’s army. After the defeat, De Lannoy joined the Travancore military, eventually becoming a trusted advisor to the king.
Influence of Christianity: De Lannoy, who was a devout Catholic, became friends with Neelakandan and shared Christian teachings with him. Inspired by these teachings, particularly those related to equality, love, and compassion, Neelakandan decided to convert to Christianity.
Baptism and New Identity: In 1745, he was baptized at the St. Francis Xavier Church in Kottar. He took the name “Devasahayam,” which means “God is my help” (equivalent to “Lazarus” in the Bible). His wife, Bhargavi Ammal, also converted to Christianity and took the name Gnanapoo (meaning “Flower of Knowledge”).

Life After Conversion

Preaching and Opposition: Devasahayam Pillai openly embraced his new faith, living according to Christian principles and preaching about Jesus Christ. He particularly emphasized teachings on equality, stating that everyone is equal before God. This stance was radical and controversial at the time, as the caste system was deeply ingrained in Indian society.
Conflict with Society: His new beliefs and refusal to participate in caste-based practices quickly made him a target of social hostility. His conversion was viewed as a betrayal by Hindu society, particularly by the upper castes. It also upset the royal court, as it was seen as a subversive act in a predominantly Hindu kingdom.
Royal Decree of Persecution: Members of the court, as well as his former allies, accused him of disrupting social order. Swayed by these arguments, King Marthanda Varma ordered his arrest and persecution. Devasahayam was imprisoned and subjected to torture in an effort to make him renounce Christianity, but he remained steadfast in his faith.

Torture and Martyrdom

Brutal Treatment: Devasahayam Pillai was subjected to various forms of torture. He was beaten, tied to a tree, and left in the scorching sun, enduring physical suffering and humiliation. His clothes were stripped, and he was forced to wear rags. Despite these punishments, he refused to renounce his beliefs.
Public Humiliation: To further intimidate him, he was paraded across villages in Travancore as a public spectacle, where he was mocked, humiliated, and abused by those who opposed his conversion. He was moved from one prison to another and endured starvation, physical abuse, and taunts.
Final Execution: In January 1752, Devasahayam was taken to the Aralvaimozhy forest, near Kanyakumari. He was executed by soldiers, and his body was left in the forest. Local Christians secretly retrieved his body and buried him near St. Xavier’s Church in Kottar.

Aftermath and Legacy

Veneration: Following his death, Devasahayam Pillai became a figure of devotion among local Christians who regarded him as a martyr. His burial site at St. Xavier’s Church in Kottar became a place of pilgrimage, with many people praying for his intercession.
Cause for Canonization: Due to his dedication and sacrifice, the Catholic Church began his cause for canonization. In 2004, Pope John Paul II declared him a Servant of God, the first step towards sainthood.
Beatification and Canonization: On December 2, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI recognized Devasahayam Pillai as a martyr and beatified him. Finally, on May 15, 2022, Pope Francis canonized him, making him the first Indian layperson to be canonized.

Significance of Devasahayam Pillai’s Legacy

Champion of Equality: Devasahayam is celebrated for his stance on social equality, a theme that resonates with many across religious and social divides. His emphasis on the dignity and value of all people challenged the rigid caste hierarchies of his time.
Symbol of Resilience: His story is a testament to resilience and devotion to faith under persecution, inspiring many Christians and non-Christians alike.
Martyr for Social Justice: Devasahayam’s life and martyrdom are seen as a struggle against the oppressive caste system, making him a revered figure for human rights, social justice, and religious tolerance.

Commemoration

Devasahayam Pillai is commemorated as a saint in the Catholic Church, with his feast day celebrated on January 14. His canonization has also brought attention to the role of indigenous saints and laypersons in the Catholic Church, affirming his place as a significant religious and historical figure in India. His story of steadfastness in faith and dedication to equality continues to inspire millions worldwide, especially in India.

PRIDE

November 8, 2024 / admin / 0 Comments

The Bible has much to say about pride, often presenting it as a dangerous and destructive attitude that distances people from God and others. It contrasts pride with humility, which is highly valued as a godly virtue. Here are some key insights from the Bible on pride:

1. Pride as a Sin and Rebellion Against God

Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
- This verse is one of the most well-known warnings about pride in the Bible. It indicates that pride often leads to downfall and negative consequences. It suggests that pride can blind people to their flaws and make them vulnerable to mistakes and failures.
Proverbs 8:13: “To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
- Here, pride is directly associated with evil and is something God detests. This verse implies that true respect and reverence for God (“fear of the Lord”) include a rejection of pride and arrogance.

2. Pride Leads to Self-Deception and Ignorance

Obadiah 1:3: “The pride of your heart has deceived you…”
- Pride often causes people to have a distorted view of themselves and their own capabilities. It leads to self-deception, making people think they are self-sufficient, wise, or better than others, and ultimately alienates them from both truth and community.
Proverbs 26:12: “Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”
- This proverb highlights the danger of seeing oneself as wise, a common manifestation of pride. People who are “wise in their own eyes” tend to disregard advice, ignore truth, and fail to learn from others.

3. God Opposes the Proud but Gives Grace to the Humble

James 4:6: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
- This verse points to the relational damage pride causes with God, as God actively resists those who are prideful but blesses those who show humility. It implies that humility opens the way to God’s grace, while pride blocks it.
1 Peter 5:5-6: “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
- This passage encourages humility and emphasizes that God will lift up those who humble themselves. Pride, on the other hand, disrupts God’s intended order of grace and blessing.

4. The Destructive Nature of Pride

Proverbs 11:2: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
- This verse shows that pride ultimately leads to disgrace, while humility brings wisdom. Pride can lead people to make unwise choices or overestimate themselves, which often results in embarrassment or failure.
Proverbs 29:23: “Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.”
- Pride tends to elevate one’s view of themselves, but it often leads to humiliation or downfall. In contrast, humility — being “lowly in spirit” — leads to honor, as God values and exalts the humble.

5. Pride as a Barrier to True Worship and Relationship with God

Psalm 10:4: “In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.”
- This verse highlights how pride leads people to disregard God, filling their minds and hearts with self-centered thoughts. Pride makes people less inclined to seek God, placing their own desires and opinions above divine wisdom.
Jeremiah 9:23-24: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me…”
- This passage encourages believers to find their worth and identity not in their own accomplishments, strength, or wealth, but in knowing God. It implies that pride in worldly achievements distracts from what truly matters: a relationship with God.

6. The Example of Jesus’ Humility

Philippians 2:3-8: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves… In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant…”
- Jesus is the ultimate example of humility. Although He had the right to pride (being equal with God), He chose a path of humility and service, even to the point of death on the cross. Christians are encouraged to follow His example of selflessness and humility.

7. Pride and the Call to Repentance

2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
- This verse calls for humility as a prerequisite to healing and forgiveness. It shows that God responds to a humble and repentant heart, whereas prideful people may struggle to acknowledge their need for repentance and transformation.

Summary of Biblical Teachings on Pride

In the Bible, pride is consistently shown to be a harmful attitude that distances individuals from God and others. It leads to self-reliance, self-deception, and ultimately, personal downfall. In contrast, humility is portrayed as a virtue that brings honor, wisdom, and closeness to God. The Bible encourages believers to resist pride, embrace humility, and live in a manner that acknowledges dependence on God and seeks the good of others.