By M L Satyan

Bengaluru, April 19, 2020: Ramayan is an Indian mythological television series that was aired during 1987-1988 on Doordarshan (DD) National, created, written and directed by Ramanand Sagar.

It was a television adaptation of the Hindu epic of the same name, and was primarily based on Valmiki’s Ramayan and Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas.

The series had a viewership of more than 80 percent, a record high for any Indian television series. Through each episode of the series DD earned 4 million rupees. Ramayan is being re-telecast by DD from 28 March, during the Covid-19 national lockdown.

When Ramayan was first telecast, people belonging to Hindu community watched the serial with great respect and reverence. Without any ‘written or oral instruction’ from any religious leader, they followed certain practices in a very spontaneous manner. Such practices include:

1) Cleaning the Television
2) Applying cow dung on the floor in front of the television
3) Lighting oil lamps and incense sticks
4) Decorating the space (in front of the television) with flower
5) Dressing neatly
6) Doing Aarti with incense, light and flower when the serial started
7) Maintaining silence from the beginning to end of the serial

I have seen the above practices in my neighboring houses. When the people practiced the above, there were ‘severe criticisms’ from the people of other faiths, especially Christians. A majority of the clergies (of all denominations) branded these practices as expressions of ‘superstitious beliefs.’ They also instigated the laity to criticize such practices.

Many priests openly criticized people watching television serials/movies (that are based on real incidences happening in families, society, country and world). A priest once went for house blessing. When he entered the house, the family was watching a serial on the TV. The priest got angry, scolded the family members and refused to bless the house. Some priests do this ‘scolding’ during their Sunday homilies too.

On April 18, my friend forwarded a WhatsApp message. The message had six pictures each having an instruction. The title is: Attending the Eucharist online. It has been prepared and circulated by the Archdiocese of Mumbai. The main message and the five instructions are given below:

Main message: Though you will be viewing the Mass online, do remember that you are in the presence of an actual celebration of the Eucharist. Here is what you could do to show due reverence:

1) Prepare a table. Cover it with a clean tablecloth and place a lit candle and crucifix on it.
2) Dress appropriately. Be respectful in your attire.
3) Participate. Be attentive to the readings and the homily. Join the celebrant in the prayers and responses of the faithful. Join in singing the hymns.
4) Avoid distractions. Give the Eucharistic celebration your whole attention. Switch off all electronic devices/mobiles. For this one hour, let your home become a church.
5) Be aware of the presence of God. Pray the Spiritual Communion prayer. Spend time in quiet reflection at the end of Mass. Express your gratitude to God.

The footnote said: Attend the online Eucharist celebrated by His Eminence, Oswald Cardinal Gracias, on April 19, 2020 at 9.00 am.

In the recent years many new television channels have been started by Christians of different denominations in various states, especially in southern India. These channels telecast homilies/preaching, retreats by charismatic groups, songs, Eucharistic adoration, Mass, recitation of rosary, prayers, interviews, testimonies, and biblical dramas and skits. These things go on 24×7. Sadly, the poor carpenter’s son Jesus of Nazareth has been converted into an ‘object of worship’ and a ‘commercial commodity.’

I wish to ask a few questions to the clerical groups of all denominations:

1) When the people of Hindu faith watch Ramayana serial with reverence, you call it superstition. What should we call your online Mass/other liturgies?
2) Are you ready to face severe criticisms from the Hindu community for the promotion of online Mass with the ‘written instructions’ that you give to the people?
3) When Hindus do this, it is wrong and when Christians do the same (in a slightly different manner) it is right. On what basis?
4) While promoting online Mass, you tell the people that ‘they are in the presence of an actual celebration’. Similarly, you also encourage people to watch movies made on the life of Jesus. Watching Ramayana is ‘Fake’ and watching online Mass is ‘Real’ for you. How do you justify it?
5) You advice the lay people not to watch commercial TV serials and movies, but sitting in your rooms, you do watch TV serials and movies of all categories. Can you practice what you preach?
6) The 4th instruction says, “For this one hour let your home become a church.” Do you mean that God is present only in the church or while watching an online Mass, and that too for one hour? Does not the Scripture say, “Wherever two or three gathered in my name, I am in their midst” and “Where there is love there is God”?
7) Don’t you think that the lockdown is a ‘god-given opportunity’ to make structural changes within your churches?

It is time for the clerical groups to do a sincere introspection. Please read the following passages. “When you lift your hands in prayer, I will not look at you. No matter how much you pray, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with blood. Wash yourselves clean. Yes, stop doing evil and learn to do right” (Isaiah 1:15-17).

“All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another… they had their meals together in their homes…enjoying the good will of all the people” (Acts 2: 44-47). Church history tells how the sacraments, celebrated at homes, were moved to church buildings.

The need of the hour is to make a paradigm shift from the present ‘pyramidal model’ to the ‘circular model’ of the early Christian community. Strengthen the Basic Christian Communities. Let every home become a church!