On Choices – The life and Mission of the JMJ Sisters

For all we understand, that the dialects of languages and their different
connotations had varied according to geographical location and time and what
had been derived as the Holy Scriptures from the available manuscripts and
their development as authentic writings have been translated albeit difficulties
in understanding the true intended meaning of certain words. And so we are
left with interpretations to be made of different perceptions and therefore
many divides.

What could have happened to the First humans that God had created, if they
had no choice to make?
-that the commandment was nonspecific about the differences in the
different trees of their fruits- that there really were no tree whose fruit could
land them up at the gates of expulsion?
Oh yes…that means that they had not been exposed to a situation of error
and all that they did was for eternity a continuum, and there wouldn’t have
been any history because Time would have existed without any dimension!

But time did elapse and consequences of choice did follow. And for us the
same applies as we make a choice in our daily life. And what does this have to
do with the New Testament figures of Martha and Mary and what relationship
does it bear to the Sisters of JMJ!

Nothing in the history of human nature has changed. Wars and repressions go
on. The only difference is the voluminous ability to destroy and the ingenious
ways adopted following the industrial revolution and therefore of scientific
developments (sic).

Of what the present rulers of our country emphasise in a minor way, was of
great and secret importance in the mind of Rev.Fr. Mathias Wolff of the
“Society of Jesus” fondly remembered as “Mon Pere”, the Mission Superior of
the Jesuits in Northern Netherlands, affected by the fallout of the French
Revolution.
Female youth and their education was of paramount importance in his mind
and efforts were being designed in his mind to form a society to foster their
social status, health, education, and religious affinity and practice , in the
reverse order of importance!
The result was the “Pedagogie Chretienne”, the virtues of obedience, simplicity
and charity tucked inside the other name of the formation “Society of Jesus,
Mary and Joseph”. The year was 1922 when Roman Catholic religious practice
was all in secrecy in a predominantly protestant Europe. “Everyone should be
willing to go, wherever obedience calls, even to America and the Indies. He,
who is obedient, will always be victorious and be blessed” were his prophetic
words.
With his maxim “I want to work like a giant” the young Sisters of the JMJ grew
in solidarity with the world spreading out to the far corners of the earth placing
the “Will of God” above all and one sees the work of JMJ sisters here in Alto
Porvorim.
Is there any choice after one decided to be a Religious? There isn’t and there
shouldn’t be and there’s no retirement!
Turning to the choices made by Martha and Mary in the Holy Scriptures and
trying to appropriate their characteristics one can assume that each one in the
society has to play a role and that role is unique for the one. All the different
qualities that make an ideal human being and a Catholic especially are fondly
cherished in the growth of the JMJ sisters. One plays the role of Mary, listening
to the Lord, and another carries out the faith in action of a “Good Samaritan”.
Together they form the intimate society of the family of Jesus, Mary and
Joseph. In the spiritual balance ultimately both Martha and Mary stand equal
fulfilling the words of James where “faith is fulfilled in action”. The good Sisters
of JMJ here in Porvorim and those spread out through the world exemplify this
maxim and are Good Samaritans in their Charity. Their virtues of prayerfulness
and care for the needy are inexpressible in terms of ordinary words. They are
Martha and Mary in one with the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Dr.Alan John.N.chandar.