UNISINOS – RESIDÊNCIA CONCEIÇÃO

R. Aloysio Sehnem, 186                                            20 February, 2013                     XLIII:1

UNISINOS

Cx. P. 101                                                                   http://www.egfbenya.com

93.001-970 São Leopoldo, RS

BRASIL                                                           e-mail:  [email protected]

Dear Benefactors Family, Colleagues and Friends:

          Humility is a virtue of maturity. Simply put, it is the objective capacity to recognize one’s abilities (or talents) and one’s limits (or inabilities) and be grateful for all. It helps keep one sober as to the talents and strengths, limits and curiosities of which he or she is endowed. Generated from the three in-created virtues of Faith, Charity and Hope, humility can easily be confused with ineptitude, ignominy or cowardice. As a virtue of maturity it requires a certain self-identity.

          A paucity or outright LACK of maturity can complicate life. Especially in childhood, adolescence and youth as we mightily trod or plod primary and secondary education (public or private), we strive to discover our talents but initially encounter our inabilities. Strong academic capacities impart a certain advantage at this stage. They allow one to navigate categories and classes of subjects, fixed knowledge and information. However the genius and/or savant (idiot or prodigious) can experience real frustration as their unique capacities are all but ignored. The broad scope of academics, facile and invigorating in some subjects, is tempered by the stress of confusion presented by other subjects. An individual of academic talents navigates this mental quagmire with more cerebral ease than does the genius and savant. Self-discipline (minimal at this age), required for this navigation, is especially demanded by the intellectually gifted who constantly face the challenge to use talents (still being discerned) to address questions previously resolved by societies and cultures but whose resolution the genius frequently questions.

          Thus can arise a suspicion of ineptitude or ignominy. Perceiving and coming to know the talents that mark one’s intellect, the genius and savant can hide these in examinations and public presentations abhorring recognition (public and private), preferring instead to withdraw socially and even physically from a culture to focus their talents on questions of challenge. This has its detrimental effects often manifest in minimal or even absent interchange with others of similar intellect. However such seclusion, coupled with emerging self-discipline, paradoxically can be a blessing as it hinders recognition of these intellectuals from the variety of prizes and public awards which in themselves can be motivation to one’s service, but can waste valuable time while also being used to canonize and bolster doubtful and even erroneous agendas. Jean Paul Sartre rejected the Nobel Prize for literature and continued prolific as a philosopher. Grigori Perelman, solving the Poincaré conjecture, rejected the Fields Medallion and thus insured his legendary status as a mathematician. Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), in abdication, confirms the humble courage that has been a characteristic of his life.

          Humility? Ignominy? Ineptitude? Cowardice? One cannot judge! The facts remain. They remind us that a Power beyond us constantly calls. That Power stooped to ignominious death during the Pascal Passion almost 2000 years past. To this day that Passion strikes many as ineptitude. Yet the Oblation of The Savior God was and remains an act of Divine Humility that changed us all. Be Grateful! Be Joyful! Be Humble in celebrating a:

HAPPY and BLESSED LENTEN and PASCAL SEASON!

                                                                                  Sincerely in Jesus Christ

                                                                                             Ed Benya, S.J.

PAROQUIA Nssa. Sra. do ROSÁRIO

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fatima                                  9 November, 2012                    XLII:3

Trav. Carlos Pontes, 171                                   http://www.egfbenya.com

Cx. P. 101

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                                e-mail:  [email protected]

BRASIL

Dear Friends, Family, Benefactors & Colleagues :

          The fall from grace is always traumatic for an individual, a group or even a species. Transgression, sin or betrayal, the terminology can vary but first venture of any entity into degeneracy is ALWAYS marked by depression.

          That venture is always PRECEEDED by Confusion to some degree. From the first sin of our primal parents to the specific falls that each of us makes in our unique ways, the Tempter knows that we MUST  be confused in some way or form because, notwithstanding our frailty, limits and weakness, none of us  wants to freely and consciously offend Almighty God. We must be misled somehow and the tempter, in his malignance, is most proficient in confusion.

          Yet initial fall is anything but satisfactory to the prince of degeneracy. He knows that Divine Compassion and Mercy are infinite in their abundance and that recovery awaits every sinner who repents. Proclivity of function, habitual fall is the degenerative goal of this spiritual Deviant. Such habit characterizes the addict, one who is a carrier of degenerate tendency (or tendencies), be it alcohol, aberrant sex, violence, fear, food or any perversion of the otherwise beneficial gifts bestowed upon us by our Creator. Such proclivity is a weakness, but NOT in itself an offense to God. Recognized and dominated by the carrier, through the Power of God, such weakness can become a source of sanctity as was the “thorn of Satin” that Saint Paul carried, or the sexual abuses that Saint Augustine conquered.

          Thus addiction to evil must finally lead to Despair if the Tempter is to conquer. That despair MUST be manifest in “license” (juridical permissiveness), individual and collective so that perversion be INSTITUTED within entire cultures and nations. Decent people of spiritual weakness QUIT on themselves through moral compromise with evil not only in their own witness but also promoting such compromise through instituted and condoned social and spiritual degeneracy. The libertine sequence is established and promoted.

          Almighty God is aware of this sequence of degeneration. He knows that on our own, we are no match for the Tempter. Thus He ARRIVED among us, as ONE of US, complete with our tendencies (yet COMPLETE in innocence) in order to face and defeat the malignance that can dominate and destroy us. Not content to merely conquer evil, He established a Body and transcendental mechanisms (Sacraments) to assist each of us in our personal battle against evil in our efforts to recognize and defeat our personal proclivities.

          We celebrate that subtle arrival and continued profound presence at the HANUKKA-ADVENT-CHRISTMAS Season with gratitude and sobriety of Joy in our witness to Him, Jesus Christ who is our redeemer. In communion with Him, I wish to all:

A JOYFUL YULE TIDE and a BLESSED NEW YEAR of 2013!

                                                                       With humble gratitude in Jesus Christ

                                                                                  Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.

PAROQUIA Nssa. Sra. do ROSÁRIO

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fatima 16 August, 2012 XLII:2
Trav. Carlos Pontes, 171 http://www.egfbenya.com
Cx. P. 101
62.900-000 Russas, Ceará e-mail: [email protected]
BRASIL

Dear Family, Benefactors, Friends & Colleagues:

Their efforts are public, but of minimal notice. Profoundly handicapped by a weak capacity for personal social interaction, they seem aloof or removed from regular comradery or friendships. Yet people with ASPERGER syndrome can concentrate and persevere in a quest for truth demonstrating a persistence that approaches stubbornness. They are anything but quitters.

The vague identification of their situation complicates any attempt at absolute identification. Symptoms of the syndrome are even in dispute. Yet the characteristics are quite notable although most variable in their collective presence.

Sir Isaac Newton is the only historical figure of note, (to my knowledge) actually certified with Asperger syndrome. His persistence in addressing the Tangible AND Spiritual aspects of any question led to a recluse personality that is legendary. To a lesser extend Albert Einstein showed a similar persistence as did Father Gregor Mendel (in discovering basic principles of Genetics) and perhaps St. Thomas Aquinas.

All of these individuals, in broadly diverse areas of investigation, sought a common goal, within those diverse disciplines; to recognize and reconcile the physical aspects of a problem with spiritual (metaphysical) aspects of that problem. Their actual success or failure can be judged only by Almighty God. Yet in success or failure, their dedication was never lacking.

Such totality of analysis is brutal on a career. Most careers run within a 20-year period. Data is chosen, analyzed within categories and presented selectively and tastefully. The career allows choice and distance, but the vocation demands surrender because the person of vocation is in oblation, he is called and directed by The Spirit that is beyond him. It is that Spirit which governs, directs and defines. Much as we may wish, we cannot simply ignore some parts of a question while addressing another. Ask any parent who has raised a child, any instructor who has taught a student, any researcher who has analyzed data or a doctor who has treated a patient.

The vocation is driven by God who defines the oblation of the oblate, be it in marriage, Holy Orders, Autonomy in God or any other transcendent direction. This year I mark 38 years in oblation to Almighty God. These years have passed most rapidly. Their final value is known only by Almighty God, yet your presence with and in Him is a unique blessing to me for which I thank Him and I thank you.

Gratefully in Jesus Christ

Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.

UNISINOS – RESIDÊNCIA CONCEIÇÃO

R. Aloysio Sehnem, 186                                   17 March, 2012             XLII:1

UNISINOS

Cx. P. 101

93.001-970 São Leopoldo, RS

BRASIL                                                           e-mail:  [email protected]

Dear Friends, Family, Colleagues and Benefactors:

          The celebration is one of two in Christendom commemorated in an “octave”, an 8-day period of spiritual festivities (the other being Christmas). The Easter Octave brings a unique reminder that our entire position before Almighty God and our stance within creation CHANGED instantly, subtly and profoundly through our Redemption by Jesus Christ in the Salvation He won;… free and clear. We were Transformed.

          The subtlety of the original event can be lost as one examines and meditates on it through the present context of profane, modern and post-modern perception; dismissing it completely as a hoax OR assuming it to be one simplistic, “mathematical” event offering little or no challenge to us, the redeemed. Subtle challenge (maddening at times and unique to each participant) was and remains an essential key to Salvation.

          Holy Scripture presents a sequence of manifestations by Jesus Christ of Himself to individuals or groups whose stance was far from “open”. The first such manifestation was to the soldiers, guarding the tomb, sleeping or half-asleep (Mt 28: 4, 11-15). These quickly panicked and then submitted to bribery for purposes of silence and even miss-information. Yet they were, as is all humanity, REDEEMED. Hopefully they repented of their fault and embraced the Savior.

          The sequence continues with a group of pious women who approached the tomb well before daybreak on Easter Sunday (Mk 16: 1-5; Mt 28: 1-3: Lk 24: 1-8) wondering who would remove the stone at the entrance of the tomb. At their arrival the stone is conveniently removed and a “young man” (angelic in origin) patiently informs them of the Risen Savior directing them to notify Christ’s disciples of His Resurrection. These instructions they dutifully absorb and then ignore because of unadulterated FEAR.

          One of these women remains near the tomb for no specific reason except a personal longing to locate the missing corpse of the Crucified. Personally manifesting Himself to her, she fails to recognize Him and even confuses Him for one of the hirelings,…. the gardener (Jn 20: 15) in a dialogue that permits Christ only one word; “Miriam” (Mary in Hebrew, her name). At this she recognized Him as “Raboni” (Master) and apparently tries something akin to a tackle hoping to keep Him in one place. He then strictly instructs her “Do no detain me.” but sends her to inform His disciples of His resurrection. This she does with no complication and is quickly dismissed as incoherent (Lk 24: 9-11; Mk 16: 9-11).

          Still later that same day Christ manifests Himself to a couple of followers, in hurried and frightened exit from Jerusalem, engaging them in lively conversation and clarification (Lk 25: 13-35). These also fail to recognize Him until He actually breaks bread with them and then disappears at which time they muster blithe courage, return to Jerusalem and discover that the entire group is confused concerning the day’s events.

          This scenario of doubt, fear and surprise is crucial in that it verifies the respect and patience of the Redeemer for EACH one of us individually. His manifestations are unique and specific, according  to each one’s capacity. HE perseveres WITH us notwithstanding our personal DENSITY (spiritual or otherwise). Receive HIM; with a

Peaceful and Blessed Pascal tide!

                                                                                  Sincerely in Jesus Christ

                                                                                             Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.

PAROQUIA – Nssa. Sra. Do Rosário

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima                           16 November, 2011       XLI:3

Trav. Carlos Pontes, 171                                              http://www.egfbenya.com

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                                 e-mail: [email protected]

BRASIL

Dear Colleagues, Family, Friends and Benefactors:

The symbols are plethora. Many are ancient, dating from centuries, even millennia past. Specific signs mark a promise made not only to a people, but to a species that had been tricked, confused and confounded into following an aberrant promise;

Partake of the forbidden and you shall become like God, Almighty God.

Enticed as such, our progenitors (“First Parents”) fell into evil, the demonic grasp. Thus we became alienated from our Creator, from each other even from ourselves with divisions, perversions, proclivities and degenerations that social analyses have been mightily trying to explain for centuries.

Yet only one course presents the way, that of transcendental surrender, and only one Promise (The Redeemer) has the power for our recovery. That Promise was given by the Creator, Almighty God, for the One Savior who would redeem the world. He marked that Promise clear and solid with messengers throughout the centuries so that the arrival of that Savior could clearly be anticipated, perceived, recognized and known. However confusion by the tempter remained strong and the arrival of that Savior was a little-known truth recognized and received by a materially impoverished and socially despised but spiritually empowered group that can only be described as peripheral. He Himself Jesus Christ lived on the periphery of established society. Yet He manifest the Divine Presence among us and drew to Himself members of all classes of that species which had been degraded by evil those many centuries earlier.

He is one of us and lived as we do in all except sin. Rejected by the world, He found acceptance by those among us who, although degraded by sin, are not of the world and thus received the blessing to hear Him. His message was and remains short and clear;

“Follow Me!”

Nations, empires, powers and principalities have opposed Him. They still do because they fear Him, his Call, his Message. His signs and symbols are rejected even today as a degraded world (and many in this world) seek to hide Him and hide themselves from Him confirming one of the declarations in the Prayer of Glory:

“…as it was in the beginning, is now..”

Laws, edicts, declarations and threats are aimed at anyone who would receive Him, especially publically. Yet a distinct part of us remains faithful to Him as He never quits on us. He personally remains with us as I pray that you (we) be loyal to Him and in Him, in a communion that gathers us in spirit notwithstanding vast geographic separation as I wish you:

A HAPPY, BELOVED HANUKKA-ADVENT-CHRISTMAS SEASON and a BLESSED NEW YEAR OF 2012!

Sincerely in Jesus Christ

Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.

PAROQUIA – Nssa. Sra. Do Rosário

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima                                              18 August, 2011           XLI:2

Trav. Carlos Portes, 171                                               http://www.egfbenya.com

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                                 e-mail: [email protected]

BRASIL

Dear Benefactors, Colleagues, Friends and Family:

Life at the periphery of a unit (physical, biological, social, spiritual, structure or class) has a distinction of its own marked by qualities of that unit, yet most definite in its own character. Mutants of a population, criminals of a society, foreigners in a nation, prisoners of a judgment, soldiers in a campaign, prophets of Almighty God, warriors in battle, monks in a monastery, pundits of a culture, ministers of a faith exemplify groups whose presence within a unit raise questions, interest and even ire of those more integrated within that unit. Integration has its values but it is “virtuous diversity” that leads to plurality. Membership in more than one such peripheral unit simultaneously is entirely possible.

For those at the main stream, localization at one or more peripheral positions can seem odd and even harsh. Establishment within periphery can present challenges and even problems. Adjustment to periphery demands major shifts in sleep, nutrition, activity and physical conditions. Yet once established that adjustment can present a dynamic in self-discipline characterized by prolonged and perseverant presence; the “long-haul”. A member can find a definite rhythm to life through the navigation of periphery. John the Baptist, Gregor Mendel, Thomas Aquinas, Alexander Soljenitzen, Wernher vonBraun, Thomas More, Rupert Mayer, Ông Cao Quang M? are among a now-recognized elite whose positions (and situations) were peripheral and even marginal; anything but socially elite. Their social circles being limited, permitted time to think, pray and meditate on questions whose spiritual demands were complemented by intellectual implications. At periphery time and solitude can be most abundant. The peripheralized may speak precious little in words yet say volumes by his mere presence.

Assets at periphery are usually vastly varied from those of main-stream society. Food is usually basic and minimal as is the drink available to the peripheralized. Refection may be once or twice a day, and at times not even that. One learns to consume creatures and entities that are otherwise shunned or even rejected by polished society. Morsels of the meadow, fungus of the forest and samples of the swamp present additions to the menu that are diverse and mysterious. Paradoxically such “trash” can have sustaining value well beyond that of socially established diets as the prophet Daniel and his companions demonstrated during the Jewish Babylonian Captivity.

While presently recognized as the most significant individual in history, Jesus Christ was anything but a mainstream personality during His time in this life. Popular but peripheralized, that peripheralization reached the point of persecution and brutal execution. His conquest of both persecution and death is well chronicled in Revelation and the Holy Scripture. He continues to call, to invite. That Call promises challenge and at times even peripheralization, a call to immortality.

I cannot claim to be at periphery but I can acknowledge those who are. Their company and witness especially during these 27 years in Holy Orders has been magnificent. I thank them and I thank God.

Sincerely in Jesus Christ

Ed Benya, S.J.

PAROQUIA – SANTO ROSÁRIO

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima                         6 August, 2008              XXXVIII:2

Trav. Carlos Portes, 171

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                               e-mail: [email protected]

BRASIL

Dear Benefactors, Family and Friends,

A social circle is unique to each individual. No one person has the same complement of friends, colleagues, adversaries or enemies. Besides the human component, one’s social circle usually includes various non-human but animate creatures whose zoological classification can run a gamut of taxonomic complexity. These include pets, beasts of burden, pests and various “strays” whose presence  (generally unplanned on our part) bring surprise, chagrin, anger and even laughter to one’s life. Add to these a diversity of botanic entities whose presence at the staple level serves for food and/or clothing, and whose floral qualities can contribute an esthetic aspect to our existence. Move a step further to the spiritual level where angelic and other metaphysical beings make their presence felt, and one has a hierarchy of interwoven entities whose activities, antics and interactions define a communion that defies explanation by anyone (or anything) short of Almighty God.

Unique as one’s social circle is, this communion with “others” is just as unique in its structure, direction and dynamic. In our childhood we tend to be ignorant of it. In our youth we may be confused by it. At middle age we can be irked by it. However at maturity we may actually be amused by it. Defeats, sadness, conquests and even an occasional victory mark our presence in and through this communion. Most of us seem to be survivors, for better or for worse, of the communion of which we are a part, and which is a part of us. Final judgment of survival of course, rests only with God, but He gives us gentle signs of our progress, regression and position within that communion. These signs serve to help us adjust our personal orientation within that communion and thus trod to our appointed place in Eternity.

These past  34 years since entering religious life, 25 years since diaconal ordination and 24 years since presbyteral ordination have seen my social circle amplify. My communion with all of you is continually finding new depths as our respective spiritual and physical journey in this life find solid direction to eternity. Many have already arrived at that eternal point. The rest of us continue, our personal limits notwithstanding, in a physical and spiritual communion whose blessings to and for me are among the most magnificent of gifts bestowed by God. I thank Him and I thank you.

Gratefully in Christ

Ed Benya, S.J.

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima                    14 November, 2008         XXXVIII:3

Trav. Carlos Portes, 171

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                               e-mail: [email protected]

BRASIL

Dear Family, Benefactors, and Friends,

Repetition is essential to salvation! Almighty God knows it and we need it. We generally need to be told more than once, both collectively and individually, what the Almighty is calling us to do. This problem has been with us for centuries, even millennia. Jesus Christ’s first vicar, St. Peter received the brilliant point of revelation that his Master is the Messiah. Christ lauded him for this. However Peter then, immediately put his foot into his mouth by telling, not asking, Christ not even to consider the brutal end to which that Messianic vocation would lead. Jesus dutifully rebuked Peter publicly as being “Satan”; quite an interchange between two friends.

Saint Paul, the last of the original Apostles, had a “thorn of Satan” which tormented him. Three times he asked God to free him of this thorn. Three times he got the same answer from God;…”No!”; and the last time he received and apparently unexpected explanation; “My grace is sufficient for you!”

Yours truly has been anything but immune to such spiritual lethargy. For an assortment of reasons, covering various phases of my life both before and after becoming a Religious, I placed before God the question of pursuing doctoral studies on my part. Three times He responded with the same answer:…”No!”, and the third time I received a very unexpected codicil: “Do not ask again!”

Repetition on the part of the Creator seems to be necessary not so much because we are evil (which essentially we are NOT), but on the very obvious point that we are spiritually “DENSE”. Most of us require repetition in order to grasp any immortal or eternal truth. This probably reflects something of our limits on all fronts including a certain timidity specific to us as a species. We can easily be confused especially in the immediacy of temptation. A tempter (Satan or any other demon) knows this. In fact some point of confusion is necessary at any time that we fall into temptation and then into sin. Our tendency is to discern whatever is calling or moving us, an excellent start to objectivity. Obscuring that objectivity however is our capacity to become fixed in or on anything that attracts us. Almighty God knows this. He does not seem to enjoy repeating Himself, yet mercifully does so up to and including his physical visit among us as one of us.

We celebrate His first visit as the Savior, Jesus Christ, each year in various traditions, feasts and solemnities during the Advent-Christmas-New Years Season; a visit quietly initiated over 2000 years past. That visit however was and is nothing in isolation. At its end, Jesus promised a return in Glory as Judge at a time kept well secret from us but being distinctly signaled to us. Be alert! Be prepared! Be aware as you celebrate a:

Most Joyful Christmas and Blessed New Year of 2009!

Yours faithfully in Christ

Ed Benya, S.J.

UNISINOS – RESIDÊNCIA CONCEIÇÃO

R. Aloysio Sehnem, 186                                                   17 March, 2011             XLI:1

UNISINOS

Cx. P. 101

93.001-970 São Leopoldo, RS

BRASIL                                                           e-mail:  [email protected]

Dear Colleagues, Benefactors, Family and Friends:

My personal insufficiency of Fortitude and proclivity to outright impatience embrace a time span measured more in decades rather than just years. My tendency is to Force results rather than allow them to emerge. Age and maturity have diminished the problem but I still lack perfection.

Force is a mysterious entity. Distinct from Power, it can most simply be considered as a body of energy. Given direction that energy can serve a purpose, beneficial or adverse.

Combined with evil, Force becomes violent. Violence turns otherwise laudable qualities into vice and ruin. It is common enough in a world where good and evil are mixed and confused. Born of evil, violence is a degenerative force that must confuse, perplex, disorient, and deceive before it can capture, possess, violate, degrade and finally destroy. Violence cannot function as force without deceit. Clearly present in any context, it would be openly rejected by anyone even of minimal virtue. Violence cannot “force” its vicious effects.

Yet Force combined with virtue yields Power, a benevolent presence of Divine origin. Power has many forms all of which are generous and even generative. Empowering any mortal being, Almighty God bequeaths upon that being immortal qualities, surprising and at times as frightening to the recipient as to the community of which he is a part. Ask any mystic. Their vocations verify this.

However Power, as with any other gift, demands specific self-discipline in its reception and exercise. Bestowed as a dynamic, its effects function as a dynamic OF GOD through the one empowered BY GOD. Applied with virtue, one’s power expands and amplifies. Abused in vice, power diminishes and degenerates to violent force. The pervert is content with  demonic power, violent force. The virtuous seeks better. That search (constant during one’s time in this life) is embodied in the life and vocation of every saint. They continually seek the best for and in Almighty God. Only in Eternal Union with God do they reach perfection.

That constant search is consecrated in Jesus Christ whose gift of Salvation empowers all of us for that search, navigating this life toward Eternal Union. On our own, we are absolutely incapable of that Union, yet in His Virtue (notwithstanding our weaknesses, vices and sins) we are well fitted to the task. We celebrate that empowerment each year in a special way in the Judeo- Christian Tradition at the Lenten-Easter Season, the Victory of Jesus Christ over the Satanic Forces, empowering us in Salvation to Eternal Life.

Have a Happy, Blessed and Holy Lenten-Pascal tide!

Sincerely in Jesus Christ

Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.