Oh! Pops, guide me...

A Baptism in progress on Sunday 29 June 2025

The church wasn’t crowded today, yet I still couldn’t find a place to sit for the 11:30 am service. The seating was full.

So I made my way to the Adoration Hall — a recent extension to the main church. Clean tiled floors, plenty of lights, and enough electric fans. It has a certain neatness, but also a temporary feeling to it. Perhaps that’s why I never prayed there before. Today was the first time.

I found myself sitting at the back, on the floor, leaning against the wall. Polyester pants — not the best choice. I kept slipping as I tried to stay in that leaning position, legs stretched out fully in front of me. But I stayed.

This church is many hundreds of years old, dedicated to the Holy Ghost. Generations have prayed here. The Adoration Hall, though new, is still part of this sacred space. And today, despite the slipping and discomfort, I prayed.

I started slowly, whispering the Adonai prayer — the one we’re supposed to say a hundred times a day. As I repeated the words, something within me grew still. The prayer deepened. The intensity grew. And slowly, I reached that final, quiet realisation.

I remembered what Jesus said during His trial. He declared He is the Son of God — not only that, He also promised that they will see Him return, seated at the right hand of the Father. And then… He died. And He rose again. And He consecrated His Body and Blood — His everlasting sacrifice — for the forgiveness of sin.

These four truths I believe with all my heart. And if I believe this, truly believe, then my prayers will be heard. That is His promise. As I thought about this, it filled me — this fierce, humbling hope. I could feel its power settle into me.

Yes, I had lost the opportunity God gave me — the work that came my way. If that loss was my mistake, I admit it. I learn the lesson. Maybe I’m not meant for jobs. Maybe I’m meant to do something on my own. But I confess, after giving up that job, the guilt lingered. How could I stand before God? How could I pray for new things when I let opportunities slip away, one after another?

But I know this much — at that job, I had no problems with anyone, except one. I can say it to You, my God — it was that man and his attitude. Real men do not blame others. Huh! 

Creator of the Universe, I believe in You. If I am to do something on my own, let it come my way. Make it clear. Give me the strength to rise and get on with it, as soon as possible.

I believe in you  Jesus. Amen.

Hand notes

Beautiful hand notes found at Vallarpadam on Sunday.

Our Lord is good. He is forever merciful. His faithfullness lasts for generations. (Psalm 100:5).

May the author of the hand note find mercy of our Lord and enjoy His faithfulness in life.

"Mother of the Word which became flesh, please do not reject, but mercifully hear my prayers. I plead"

May everyone be blessed in their job and in their family, may everyone have the grace to live every moment of their life with the companionship of our Lord.

"Enter His house singing His praise, When you walk through His doors, hum His praise. "
There is always a reason for thanks giving. Do not ever loose heart. We will be heard.

Strength and Grace my friends.

Secret truths

Who did Jesus came for? What was his purpose?

"...to give good news to the poor, to give freedom from bondage, to give sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed and to proclaim the year of Lord's Mercy..."

So that even the most unfortunate find peace and happiness in this life and this world. It means too, the journey starts within ourselves first. The urge and need for a way to live this life, without being jeopardized by the "maya" of this world.

May we all have the grace to seek the way!

Mary's Assumption

In our own life, in our little ways to deal with the "everyday", Mary and her ways is a great inspiration. 

No surprise, she is found worthy to be crowned as the queen of life. 

Thank you Meenakshi Amma, for being our example in the way you remained a slave to Her ways, for life.

The light of our heart!

What does our heart reflect, the light or darkness?

How come can a young man, kill 20 innocent children? Was he that bad? What brought him to such a frame of mind?

Does the belief that on December 21st the world is going to end, has anything to do with that young man's behaviour?

Ignorance of spiritual truth, can be destructive ?

True offering

Micah 6“What shall I bring when I come to Yahweh and bow down before God the most high? Shall I come with burnt offerings, with sacrifices of yearling calves? 7Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams, with an overabundance of oil libations? Should I offer my firstborn for my sins, the fruit of my body for my wrongdoing?”
 8“You have been told, O man, what is good and what Yahweh requires of you: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.




One of my best friends, a hindu, survived a tumour in his brain. He and his family had thanks giving offerings to make at many temples. When he went to the Meenakshi Ammen temple at Madurai, he asked me to accompany him. For me, it was one wonderful chance to visit the old city of temples and to see the art and culture of that dearly beloved historical town once more.

While being there, I was fondly reminded of the rich spiritual tradition our country has.How much of importance and significance we Indians give to stay close to God and remain spiritually clean.

Yes, indeed, What Micah 6 : 8 reveals is very true, what our God our Lord want from us is to be just and compassionate and walk humbly with God.

All the faith and religion is solely for this purpose, we will learn with experience of compassion. No amount of rituals or practices or fasting wont save us unless and until our mind accept that truth and delight in it.

The picture is that of an young bride, who got married at the temple when I was there. May all her wish come true and she be happy. Or rather May she have the grace and wisdom to be happy no matter what life bring for her.  

Colors of life

At the seminary where I have a class, we planned a photo-shoot for making Christmas cards for the coming season. I took around 220 pictures of each students and the priests there. But unfortunately the pictures did not come good. I pushed my old camera to the extreme for better quality and it took a lot of unwanted colors, making each frame a mockery. A disappointing venture, especially when I am in no position to replace my old camera. 

No matter how bad or hard life's circumstances be, if we stay close to GOD and keep our thoughts in Him in everything we think and do, things gotta turn around. That's our belief. The blind man who called out to Jesus, "Son of David.." was granted his wish. Jesus merely asked him, "...What is that you wish that I do for you.."

So basically, it's all about our faith. That, He can do everything. Everything is possible for Him, if we keep ourselves worthy for His Divine grace.

I wish for my two friends, who has told me that their peace is wrecked, that they find their harmony soon. May they have the grace and strength to win over everything that is wrecking their peace.

Thank You

After a few weeks I went to Lady Of Ransom yesterday early morning. I enjoyed the cool lonely walk up to the church from the highway. Seeing the bright colored dome of the church from a distance was very consoling and comforting. 

Being a week day, there were not many in and around the church. The schools kids were just about arriving to the school which is in the church compound itself. Those who come early were playing around in the Rosary park. 

I had a special mention of my mother whose death anniversary was last week. Like me she too was a frequent visitor at Lady Of Ransom. As I sat there in the freshly painted and polished inside of the church, I was grateful, that I got an opportunity to teach "Accounting" again to a batch of seminary students, of the very congregation which was my mother's favorite. Since I had moved away from that subject to "Art and Art History" lately, I was happy I take up that classes, even with considerable strain on my time. 

Thank you Mary at Vallarpadam, You with Your infinite grace and bearing help us to be true to ourselves and our faith.

Smile

Sorry to admit, but I do not have any more of fresh pictures from Vallarpadam. Not surprised though, its been over five weeks since I went there. Work mostly, on Sundays too.

Come to think of it, I have been blessed with one of the best opportunity of work at one hand, but on the other hand I have a lot of troubles to deal with.

That's more or less how my life has been, a mixture of both at the same time - good and bad, happiness and sadness, weakness and strength...

With age, I have learned to be strong with Lord, never to let anguish overtake me... (Smile)..but its not easy...(Smile).

Inspiration

Dr. Bettina Topoll, Germany.

An inspiration, to live. We all have our own troubles in life, Jesus and our Faith in Him is our Way to live our life without letting the troubles get the better of us.

“Faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17)

A honour to have met you Doctor. You are a true inspiration indeed. May our Lord keep you well and let you be an inspiration to many around you.

True Blessing.

Proverbs 19:14

"14House and wealth are inherited from a father but a sensible wife is a gift from Yahweh."

The ongoing Soorya festival was a blessing to me. It took my mind out of my plaguing worries. I was fascinated by some artist couples who do the classical art forms. I was wondering about the family atmosphere they might have to cherish and practice such fine arts which is the manifestation of spirituality. 

No wonder then, we should be really careful about the persons whom we take into the holy and the most holy place deep inside our hearts, if they do not have the inclination to respect the purity of their own souls and those of others by birth they can destruct our soul-its peace- and our everything. 

I used to believe anyone can turn to God anytime, but I have realised lately that not anyone, only some, have the mind to turn to God, to make Him their way of life, to enjoy His feast of peace and happiness. They are chosen by God, even before their birth. But it is true, God do not go by caste or creed. 

Thank you My Lord, for blessing me to turn to you, to find peace in You. Please keep me that way till I die. Thank you Jesus. 

PS: The picture is the new altar at the Lady of Ransom, built for the parishioners.