This blog (created in March 2011 by Lucky) is about new entrants to the Colombo Medical Faculty of the University of Ceylon (as it was then known) in June 1962. There were a total of 166 in the batch (included 11 from Peradeniya). Please address all communications to: colmedgrads1962@gmail.com. Header image: Courtesy Prof. Rohan Jayasekara, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo (2011 - 2014). Please use the search bar using a keyword to access what interests you
A word of explanation is required here. The quote attributed to Jesus is not strictly accurate. I came across it really as an opinion that Jesus would have thought like that based on what Jeus has said, and I quote:-
ReplyDelete“Woe to you, the teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs which look beautiful on the outside – but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
“You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the Law – justice, mercy and faithfulness.” The whole life of Jesus Christ was dedicated to bringing about an ethically good society, where the people would find peace and happiness; to free the average people from oppression of the privileged class.
He said that poverty facilitates this meeting with God. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew: 5)
He said: “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to entire the Kingdom of God.” (Matthew: 19)
The author of the quote I incorrectly attributed to Jesus, comes to the conclusion which I quoted and I should have stated that it was not a direct quote from the Gospel, for which I apologise. The message however is strong and the Ven Wimalaratna spoke at a time of ethnic tension in Sri Lanka and what he said is truly inspirational and worthy of dissemination.
With such bold expressions, Jesus tried to drive the point that a life of poverty founded on morality, is better than a life of affluence acquired through corrupt practices and illegal means.
As it happens, I do agree with the conclusion although it was inaccurate to attribute it to Jesus directly.
By the way, may I add that the Author of the Jesus quote was NOT the Ven. Wimalaratne.
ReplyDeleteWhat a timely reminder what the Christmas message really is, from you Mahendra! Many thanks! And I am sure all members of our batch will agree with it and if we all do one of the things to further this aim the world will be a better place. Many thanks again from Zita
ReplyDeleteMahen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the explanations.
Irrespective of whose words these are, the message is clear, and of the greatest importance - something I hope we have succeeded in abiding by -
so that we can close our eyes in peace at the end of our days .
Each person has the choice, and as Zita says- the greater the number of people that follow the correct path, the better the world will be.
Thank you for the message.
Mahendra, I couldn't help reading this again before the New Year as it has so many elements that we need to remind ourselves daily and what better time than just before a New Year. I am proud of all of you spreading good will and unique messages at this time of the year and felt like writing these lines. Happy New Year to our lovely friends and batch mates who we were so privileged to spend our training years with!
ReplyDeletefrom Zita
Dear Speedy,
ReplyDeleteI too agree with the conclusion.
What a wonderful world it would be if all its citizens lived by these words and ethics.
Sriani Basnayake