Sunday

We had one low pressure in the Arabian sea in the previous week which did not bother us in Kochi that much but the low pressure in Bay of Bengal did brought a lot of rain to our town. During a short break in the rain on Sunday I rode to Vallarpadam. Inspite of the rain there were few visitors to the church, some of them were the parents of students who came from far away towns to attempt the under graduate National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. 

One such parent gave me the opportunity to explain the life of Meenakshi Amma at Vallarpadam. A pleasant experience to recollect Meenakshi Amma and her graceful life. 

I felt lucky that I could go to Vallarpadam and spent my "Quiet Time" today inspite of the Pandemic and the rain and remembered all those who wanted to but couldn't. 

while I was about to finish my time it rained again and I waited for a hour for the rain to stop. Though I could use the time well in the quiet solitude outside the closed church, I couldn't help thinking about the disastrous effect the pandemic is having on all our lives; if the people couldn't come for worship, especially those of us who need that spiritual refuelling every week, what purpose all these precautions will serve, as our minds and thoughts are gradually degrading and lead us to disaster eventually. 

Third visit in the months of Pandemic

There were some visitors today on the second Onam at the lady of Ransom. 

I have hardly seen much people around the church in the last six months of which the first three have been compulsory lock down. Nice change, hopefully life will get back to normal even though the pandemic is raging. 

Though strangers, feeling happy to remember those who came to the closed church today and prayed together standing  quietly outside, everybody lost  in their own world, offering to God, in their prayers the reasons for what brought them here. 

Thank you my Lord, for the renewing spirit, which was the need of the hour, help us deal with the tolls and worries of these days. We pray your grace stays with us and help us in thinking and doing what ought to be. 

 

Pandemic or not...

 With due credits to the one who wrote this;

Pandemic or Not…

The Pandemic has broken us,

Took away our jobs, means of bread,

Tearing down our dreams, everything,

That we have ever worked for.

 

Years of Study, hard work, blown away,

With the collapse of the world, to whose,

Ways we have adapted reluctantly, to feed and cloth,

Those who trusted us to live with.

 

The Pandemic has not made us afraid of death,

But of a life and living, afraid of being,

Turned to a speck of dust on the floor, to be swept off,

And dumped in the bin not to die but to live rotting in the heart.

 

We look upto you Lord, the one Who rose from the dead,

We trust in You, who knows panic and helplessness,

Strengthen our thoughts and bless our hearts,

To find opportunity in nothing and turn it into reality.

 

Bless our spirit, with strength and dare,

To drive away the demons of destruction clawing down,

Our confidence and belief, Help us Rise again,

Pure and Joyful, to be the man and woman you want us to be,

Pandemic or not…

B. Thomas, August, 2020

A song

Vallarpadam

Another visit to church during the pandemic induced post lock down troubled days.

The church continues to be closed to prevent the social spread of the virus. 

The never empty church and its candle stands stand bare except for the occasional visits of the parishoners. 

The national Shrine and pilgrimage centre, St. Mary's Basilica, hardly have any memory of being this empty and closed for so long. I wonder how it was in 1920 when a similar pandemic 'The Spanish Flu' choked the world, especially the port cities and coastal areas of India. 

A prayer for the day!

Everyday is a journey. At the end of the day we are grateful for the joy and sorrow. Tomorrow is another day, we don't know what we will have or not have. Always cherish the moment, the present for what ever it is...and do not forget the ONE to whom we are eternally bound . 

Best wishes to every one who are going through the Corona induced difficult times. 

" May we know what to think and what to do..." we pray God please grant us the grace, we ask this in name of our Lord Jesus. 

"The Idiots"

I am a nobody and has nothing, but I know Jesus you came for folks like me. 

This was our attitude even before Pandemic anxiety and joblessness made our belly groan with acid. 

Why should we be afraid, what do we have to loose, we were living a day at a time always, for what reason we should be worried now?

Buckle up comrades, be happy and be at peace, not our will but His prevails. Let us take it, whatever it is and live it. 

Picture from a week ago, at Vallarpadam, where church is closed, still 'some' come ..