By Reema Jeshma Cutinha –
When I think of Jesuit education, I instantaneously think that they provide me both “Faith and Reason” to be a good human being. Peter Steinfels, co-director of the Fordham Center on Religion and Culture, points out in his introduction that although the words “faith and reason” sound as if they go together, like “bread and butter” and “love and marriage,” there is serious disagreement in the academic world. There is also a feeling that faith and reason get watered down to culture and belief in the current scenario.
I would be in position after having had the proper orientation through the Jesuit education that both faith and reason are complementary to each other. One is incomplete without the other. Jesuit Education orients me to develop sound heart and mind to praise, reverence, and serve God, and by doing this, to save my souls.
These two elements help to be a fully psychologically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually matured person.
The two elements of Jesuit Education lead me always to be other centred and not self-centred. I develop my mind and heart that others benefit from what I gain. I am placed with this responsibility. In Matthew 16:26 it is rightly written, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” It is the same verse which moved St. Francis Xavier to join St. Ignatius of Loyola (Founder of Society of Jesus) to carry out the mission of Christ Jesus. The gifts we are blessed with are to be shared with one another irrespective of caste, creed, colour etc.
Ignatian spirituality having consisting of two elements – Faith and Reason motivate and prepare me to carry out this responsibility in my academic life at St. Aloysius Institute of Education. I believe that my words or actions can have an incredible result not only in my classroom, but also on the institution, community, and societal cultures.
The goals of Jesuit education could be achieved only and only if others are helped.
Like Education, there are many helping professions such as such as medicine, law and social work, in which lives are saved, human conditions are enhanced, and people commit their lives to making others’ lives restored.
Jesuit mission and identity encourages me to think differently about Education. I can be free with responsibility to use tools, practices and models to improve the society and save the life of people from ignorance to intelligence only through education . Jesuit Education teaches me to discern the these means of education.
In other words, intelligence and faith can drive my actions. That is distinctly Jesuit education.
Reema Jeshma Cutinha is a student of St. Aloysius Institute of Education