Serving the Church and the Nation- Gratefully and Faithfully

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How can we serve the Church and Nation creatively and meaningfully? Papal Seminary in India was established in 1893 to enable the Christians and Indians to lead lives that are grateful, faithful and so joyful. To celebrate 125 years of Papal Seminary, a seminar was held to reflect on the challenges that the present church in India faces, as well as the opportunities offered to her. So the 28 articles in this book offer relevant reflections on how we can be meaningfully committed to India by serving its people in the spirit of Christian values and vision. The book seeks to promote Gospel values of respect, compassion, hope and joy in the people.

The three editors, residents of Papal Seminary, Pune are Professors of Theology and Philosophy at our sister Institute, Jnana-DeepaVidyapeeth, Pune, India. As practising Christians and thinkers they are involved in promoting respectful dialogue, harmony and peace among Christians and Indians. We are sad that Rev Dr Prasad Lankapalli SJ, one of the editors of the book died unexpectedly on January 27, 2020 and this book is dedicated to him.

Ministering is serving with love. As Christians, redeemed by the blood of Christ, it is our bounden duty to offer ourselves in service to the Church in India. Improvising the words of the American President, Mr. J. F. Kennedy, we have to say "Ask not what the church can do for you, but ask what you can do for the church."

The Church needs our voice to speak for the voiceless. The Church needs our eyes to see the injustice going on around us... and the ears to listen to the cry of the poor. What about our hands? They could be of so much use to do good. And our legs to walk the extra mile to help someone in need.

Jesus' assertion of his mission in Lk 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour" is a clarion call with Jesus to join Him in the work of proclamation, liberation and redemption. Today is our day and now is the time. May God find us worthy to be His ministers in His vineyard. I wish the readers of the book a fruitful and grace-filled time!

**Contents and Sample Pages**