(ANS – Kolkata) – Fr. Shaji Joseph SDB, a Salesian Priest of the Kolkata province and former President of Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong, spoke about Jesus and his message to a gathering of religious Hindus at the “Sadhu Sammelan” on Wednesday, 3rd April. The meeting took place at the Ramakrishna Mission, Kolkata, at the conclusion of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Swami Vivekananda, Indian philosopher and theologian, founder of the Ramakrishna Mission.
“True love that is born of God can never be put to death by any earthly power,” said Fr. Shaji Joseph, as he greeted the Hindu Sadhus, Sanyasis and devotees in the name of the Lord Jesus, risen from the dead.
He summed up the message and teaching of Jesus as “an unconditional and undying love of God for humanity, expressed tangibly in the life of Jesus who serenely accepted death with words of forgiveness on his lips for his enemies. Jesus not only taught the way of love, but he also walked that way of love, truth and life, so that everyone who believes in him may have life in abundance.”
“There is a place for everyone in God’s heart, and so there should be a place for everyone also in our hearts. This is the essence of the message of Jesus, in a world divided by religious, cultural and economic differences” he concluded.
The Sadhu Sammelan, which was held at the “Ramakrishna Mission Boys’ Home”, was presided over by the reverend Srimat Swami Shivamayanandaji, Maharaja of Belur Math, Kolkata. Other speakers included Giani Swaran Singh Ji, who spoke on Sikhism, Doctor D. Rewatha Thero, a Buddhist monk, and Kinkar Samanda Maharaj, who spoke about Hinduism.
The meeting was of great significance in terms of inter-religious dialogue. It was an occasion of sharing between the different religious confessions in India, at the level of doctrine, personal knowledge and way of life, intended to promote harmony between religions, mutual respect, willingness to listen to each other, and the unity of the human family.
Published 11/04/2013
