GRABBING RUSTS OUR LIFE: THE LESSON OF A GARDNER

GRABBING RUSTS OUR LIFE: THE LESSON OF A GARDNER

 One day I was going on my bike to a village to offer the mass, the road I was travelling was not in a good condition the bike started to jump up and down. However I reached the  village and wanted to switch off my mobile before I start the celebration. I just put the  hands into the pocket of my cassock intending to take the phone and switch it off. But I  found that the phone missing then I thought that I might have left it in my room and I will surely find it when I reach the parish house. After having finished all my programmes I  reached the parish house by 4.00 pm and enquired the cook and the trustee if they had  seen my phone and they replied that they had not seen then  I began to suspect that it  might had slipped away  from my pocket. Then I made a call to my phone and to my  surprise it was ringing but nobody attended the call. I got disheartened and lost hope of  getting it back. But again I made a call this time the phone was attended by one person on the other side the voice sounded that of an elderly person and he asked me who it was? And I replied to him sir, this phone is that of mine and I lost it morning as I was going that way and I wanted to get it back. The man said to me in a very plain way if it is yours please come and collect it and he gave me some traces of the place. And he asked me to come within ten minutes since he was about leave that spot. Then I asked him how could I trace him upon my reaching there, he said that it would be easy. In a hurry I took my bike started towards that place on a high speed to reach the place before that man leaves that place. But I was too late and lost hope of reaching that place. Upon my reaching the place I found so many people standing on the same spot to which I was told to come, and I was hesitant to approach any of them, and I stood there with a disappointed heart.Meanwhile, a person from the crowd came toward me and asked if I were the person made a call asking for the lost phone. Then I said it was me but I do not know whom to approach and who has got it and immediately the man replied it’s me who has got that phone. And immediately he took out the phone from his pocket and at once kept it in my hands. I felt very grateful to him and before receiving I said thanks to him but the man told me  sir  why do you thank me  in fact you got back what is yours.  And what profit would I get if I have your phone with me. The man told me that the attitude of  grabbing rusts our life and character,desiring what is not ours would only danger our life.  And the man said that he had learned to be content with what he has and to my surprise  that man was a simple gardener.

Shared by Rev. Fr. Abi 

DVK Student - Bangalore

In Everything God Works for Our Good…

On a fine sunny morning, a few youth leaders came to our school to ask permission to conduct a National Youth Meeting in our school ground. The meeting was to be conducted on a school working day and I didn’t yield to their request but there was a lot of pressure on me from all sides to grant them permission. Though unwilling, I had to consent to their request at the end.

From the time I said “yes”, I started to experience a kind of disturbance in my mind that clearly revealed to me that I have taken a wrong decision. The meeting was to be conducted on the next day and in no way I could tell them to find another alternative venue for the meeting.

I knew for sure that the meeting would disturb the students during their classes and if anything goes wrong during the meeting, it would affect the reputation of the school and I will be held responsible for the entire situation. I placed many demands before the youth committee for the smooth conduct of the meeting and the youth obliged to all my demands. The youth committee was supposed to get ready the ground only after the school commenced at 9am, the next morning.

I was so restless about the meeting that I explained to my community the entire episode. I said, “If this is my selfish intention that the meeting should not take place, let the meeting be conducted but if it is not God’s will that the meeting should be in our school, let there be a heavy shower in the morning so that they may be compelled to call off the meeting.” And we all prayed that God’s would be done in our lives.

I went to bed with a disturbed mind but with a prayer in my heart, “Let your will be done”. It was the patter of the rain that woke me up around 4 o clock in the morning. It was summer and there was no chance of rain. I couldn’t believe that it was raining. I got out of my room and Lo and behold! It was raining cats and dogs. I raised my heart to God in thanksgiving. It rained heavily for two and half hours and the school ground looked like a big lake. Students had to wade through the waters to go to their respective classes.

The youth leaders came in the morning and inspected the ground and found that in no way the meeting could be conducted in our ground. I just remained silent while they were discussing and rescheduling their programme. At the end of the discussion, they called off their meeting and I was greatly relieved.

I sat quietly in our chapel pondering over the whole episode. The decision that I made was not in accordance with His plan. But He saw the helplessness of His daughter and came to her assistance. When I took a wrong path, He let it known to me and came to my rescue. I believe that it was our inner disposition and desire for the will of God to be done in our lives made the miracle to happen on that day of God experience for me and my community. Yes, “In all things God works for the good with those who love Him” (Rom 8:28) and we can find Him everywhere and in every experience of ours, provided we look for Him.

           Shared by Biji Philip MSI

                                

      Shared by Biji Philip MSI

FAITH CAN DO WONDERS

FAITH CAN DO WONDERS

On one fine evening two of my candidates and me were doing manual work.  A girl who is helping in the kitchen was also with us. She had been serving us for the past two months. Even though we were enjoying, working, and talking there was a problem regarding language since she was from Orissa. Suddenly the girl went away from our side and we did not notice it as she had a habit of sitting alone and doing works. As per time table we finished our garden work by 5.30Pm. She continued with her work. At 6.45pm one of my candidates came to me to ask permission to lock the gate. I asked her whether all were in. She told me that everybody was in. But thank God I enquired her about the kitchen girl. She went to her room. But she did not find her in the room. We started to search for her. It was getting dark. We searched for her here and there. But we could not find her. At last to our surprise we found her hiding behind the plantain trees. We called her but she refused to get into convent. We tried our best to take her in to the house.  Time was passing by seconds and minutes. All most half an hour was over. She stood like a rock....... No movement........ Candidates and I were talking with her in most appealing words but she was not replying. Actually we were really frightened but in between she was smiling by keeping us in fire. My superior was almost in tears. Other sisters were not in the community. Then we were in a situation of total confusion. Suddenly a thought came to me to start creed for 33 times. Actually three of us made a small circle and started to pray. We made a circle and kept her in the circle since whenever we called her to come into the convent she was trying to move a little from the present place. We continued to pray for her.  After one hour she sat there but we were standing. At last my candidates tried to pull her near to the door. Their effort was in vain. Suddenly one of the candidates pulled her to the door as soon as she reached the door she refused to get in. Time was almost 9.00 Pm. I told the candidates to take her to the house. Finally we succeeded to get her into the convent. As soon as she entered into the convent I locked the door. That night was an unforgettable night in my life and we experienced God’s providential care in the midst of dilemma. We were afraid of the night since she did not speak even a word and was not willing to take food with us. Afterwards we recited a rosary in her room and had food. On the next day morning we woke up with a thankful heart and were involved in our own activities as if nothing had happened. 

Shared by              Rev. Sr. Jesline Rose Brehmakulath SABS

                                Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore.

A Rainbow in Someone’s Cloud

A Rainbow in Someone’s Cloud

“Start by doing what's necessary;

then do what's possible;

and suddenly you are doing the impossible”

Francis of Assisi

It is my great privilege to share one of my touching experiences with you. In 2011, I was appointed as a social worker in Mehaboob Nagar, a remote area of the state Andhra Predesh. I was working for the disabled people through the Community Based Rehabilitation Programme (CBR). Since there was no means of conveyance, I used to walk 4 Kilometres every day to and fro. The road was deserted and was dangerous for a woman to walk alone. But I really enjoyed serving the people irrespective of the hardships. More than my service, what I enjoyed was the real happiness of the people living there. I became part of their very life by sharing their simple meals, conducting awareness programmes, helping them to send their children to school, and by opening savings account to deposit a small amount of their daily earnings.  I used this method to teach them how to save the money, help them construct houses, and help the people take proper treatment for the diseases like Leprosy, TB etc. As the part of CBR programme, I helped the disabled people in that village to use artificial limbs, crutches, wheel chair, tricycle and blind stick. I also used to send the disabled persons for corrective surgery. 

One day I happened meet a poor family. The family was consisted of parents and four children. The first one was a five year old girl child who was suffering from cerebral palsy; the second child was three year old and the next were twins. The mother was expecting the fifth.  Their situation was so miserable that they were struggling even for a single meal a day. To my great shock, I was never exposed to such pathetic condition. That day the woman was alone in the house.  Her husband, who owned a very old auto rickshaw, was out for work.  Whenever he returned home in the evening, he came with a bare hand. What he earned was not sufficient for repairing his old auto and for his drinking.  He was a careless husband and an irresponsible father. Since she had to look after the small kids, she could not go out for work and earn a living. Added to that, she was pregnant too. Knowing their deplorable situation, I used to collect old cloths, rice, vegetables and oil and give them. And I also helped them obtain a ration card and join the disabled child in the CBR scheme for the disabled so that she could get Rs.500 per month.

The sad part of the story developed when day of her delivery approached nearer. She did not have even a single penny left in her hand for the delivery. Left with no other choice, she took a heart-breaking decision to sell off her girl child for Rs.5000. I was very much shocked to learn it from her. For a moment, I put myself in her place.  If I were a mother I would not sell the child, even if I had to die. That night I could not sleep. Next morning I started collecting money from others for her delivery and I was able to collect Rs. 5,000. Entrusting her the amount of money, I advised her not sell her child and to raise the child for me! Words fail to explain those moments. Her eyes were filled with tears and she asked me whether I was a God! This incident and more particularly that particular moment was a great source of inspiration in my life to do more service to the people.

Our pains and sufferings are nothing when we encounter such people. We cry for shoes, but there are people without legs; we complain about the quality of our food, but there are people who starve for a single meal a day. This makes me aware that many people long for our help. We can be their advocates, helpers and consolers by our active involvement, witnessing presence, committed service and strong prayers.

My story may not a great story, but it truly an eye opening for me not to condemn others, helped me think about myself, my call and mission. Life becomes meaningful, not when we live for ourselves, but when we live for others. Being social workers, we do not become their masters and mistresses by doing a lot of things for them. It is neither for our self-glory, but to help others live a dignified life making them aware that they are also children of God. When the world moves to the direction of selfishness and self-centred life, let us live an other-centred and other oriented life after the model of our Master and Lord.

Wishing you good luck!

Sr. Kochurani Karackal SNDS

THE MEANING OF MY CALL AND EXPERIENCE OF GOD'S BLESSINGS

“What so ever you do to the least of my children you do unto me…”

It were my soul’s desire to see the face of God;

It were my soul’s desire to imitate my king.

It were my soul’s desire, His endless praise to sing.

It were my soul’s desire when heaven gate is won,

To find my soul’s desire clear, shining, like the sun.

Let me share my mission experience where I energerized by the blessing of God. As soon as after my first profession I was send to the community in Karunai Illam, Chennai where the differently abled children’s are taken care. Though it was my first experience I did well. I used to carry them to school as well as to the church and help them whichever way I can. I could say that those moments are great and a blessing call which I received from above. I felt that was the best mission and a wonderful unique experience for me I could see God in them in my daily living. I felt contented and experience inner joy within me.

Here I would like to share one incident: 

In this particular place very often cultural programme is given by the differently abled children. Though they cannot stand but they stood on the floor and danced. All the sisters are actively involved to help them out. Once It happen, among them one of the boys I notice whenever I give dance practice he don’t come telling that he is not able to dance well like others. But I encourage him to come and learn the dance and I assure my readiness to teach him. Beginning he was just doing out of my compulsion but as the days goes by I could see the improvement taking place in his movement and happiness in his face. Every day I try to give him positive stroke telling that he can dance. When the real cultural day came he performed so well better than the other children, everyone was surprised and appreciated him. After the cultural programme I too went and told him that he did so well. In return he looks at me and said sister it is because of you only I am able to dance. I am so thankful to you, “Thank you sister”. This experience helps me to find meaning in my call and see His face in everyone.

“Bloom like a sweet smelling lily, and send your fragrance into the air like incense”  (Sir 39:14a)

                                                                                                      

                             By Sr. Mary Shybi 

ONE THOUGHTFUL ACTION SAVED TWO LIVES

                     ONE THOUGHTFUL ACTION SAVED TWO LIVES

I believe in angels and I believe in Miracles

The above lines reminds me the person who became an angel and saved my both the parents, I awe my sincere gratitude to the auto driver who taught me to be kind to the other person in their needs and make a difference in others life.

             I would like to share with you the incident in which I could have lost my both the parents but I must say that it was miracle that my parents got new life because of the auto driver who became an angel for my family and through his thoughtfulness he saved my parents life.

                It was on 11^th of August 2003 when my parents met with an accident on high way in Bombay. That day I could have lost my both the parents if an angle that is an auto driver could not have notice my parents lay on the road. My parents were on the way for treatment when a truck with gas cylinder hit the auto in which my parents were travelling and my both the parents were unconsciously laying on the high way. The auto driver died on the spot in which my parents were travelling. I must say that it was the thoughtfulness of the other auto driver who was returning from the same high way, saw my parents and he immidedly put all three of them in his own auto and brought them to the hospital. When doctors saw my mother they gave up hope but it was again God’s goodness that he saved my mother’s life and gave new life to my parents. Though I lost my father after the six months of that incident my mother is still enjoying the good health and she is ever grateful to God and the auto driver who came like an angel. As I look back and count all my blessings my heart over flows with joy to sing God’s praise and his goodness in my life. I would like to conclude with these lines,

     How can I thank you enough How can I praise you enough

Most gracious loving God How can I thank you enough.

Shared by Sr. M. Fatima SND

 

 

 

 

 

Attraction

Attraction

“I Adore the Lord who is alive in my Teachers”.

“Before I formed you in the womb I know you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prefect to the Nations”.

It was the attraction which turned my life, ups and down. So from the bottom of my dark little well, I cried to God for faith and for a Direction to my steps to an unknown future.

My parents were blessed so richly to have a baby after ten years of their marriage through the intercession of our Lady of Lourdes in Gunadala, at Vijayawada Andhra Pradesh, India. Too much of pampering by my Grand Parents made me study only up to second class. So at the age of sixteen my engagement was over and only a few days were left for my marriage. Gradually the attraction became a desire. This desire was so frightening. So most of the time I took shelter in the church praying and weeping. Suddenly I felt a gentle and a tender touch on my shoulder, when I lifted up my eyes, I saw Rev. Sr. Garcia Lobo SMI. I shared everything to her that “I don’t want marry because I am attracted to the picture of Sacred Heart of Jesus, that His face is always alive in me, so there is no place for another person in my tiny heart”. I said. She could hear the cry of my little heart. She too was troubled to show me the way. I was an illiterate to advice me to become a religious sister. To cancel the marriage only a few days were left and all the more my father has been Panchayat President for twenty years, he was a well known and respected figure of that area. Also Bridegroom was a govt. job holder, only son, rich and handsome, so I did not get a single vote to cancel my marriage. Sr.Gracia was speechless for a while. Then she advised me to continue to pray. After the prayer I approached my mother, though my heart was beating like a drum, I informed my mother that I didn’t want to marry. Anyway marriage was cancelled with much confusion. 

Then I stepped in to a new future. Rev. Sr. Dr. Gracia Lobo SMI convinced my parents to send me to a residential school to study, in one of their schools. At the age of sixteen, I sat in the class to study alphabets with small children. But the love of Jesus and my teachers, made me very active and alive so much so I could finish my elementary and high school studies within five years as a regular and as a best student in curricular and co-curricular activities. I appreciate Rev.Sr.Santhosham SMI, who taught me Alphabets onwards, without resting during her free class hours. She taught me to read and write languages like Telugu, English, Hindi and Maths within a month.

I appreciated the trust that my mother had placed in me, letting me take decisions, make mistakes and to be responsible for my life. Because, When I had gone for home holidays after one year of candidacy, for 50 days, my father did not allow me, to come out of the house, and warned me, not to go back to convent any more. One day when my father was out of station, my mother took courage to send me to the convent because she could not see my tears.  My wise good teachers send me to take part in all the competitions. It is their trust and love made me wins all the time, even today I feel treasured and cared for. I feel a new aliveness, a new reverence for myself. I am in love with life. So now I serve God and His people, as an Augustinian Sister. Because there is so much Debt, that I woe to the Divine, Humanity, Animal World, Vegetarian World, Mineral World, they all served me first.

Thank You, Divine Designer, for making me what I am, the wonderful challenging mystery that you love to hide in.

Divine Lover! Make me wise and strong, that I may learn from life itself, and consider every one as my teacher and never turn away from the light of your face.

This is the story of soul 

Sr.Saritha.OSA

Bangalore.