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!

Equilibrium

I came back to Kochi for a quick visit around the Pongal Holidays. The trains were busy as the Sabari Mala piligrimage was on. Andhra has a lot of devotees of Ayyappa.

At Lady of Ransom, I had a quiet time, as always it refreshed me. But the question I asked myself was did I miss being at Lady of Ransom. Yes I did.
But on a bit of reasoning, if faith is for maintaining the connection with God and that oneness in God is the Kingdom of Heaven, how are we justified in associating a particular place, to favor our state of being.

We humans have our own preferences, but it is our challenge to adapt to the changing situation and maintain our equilibrium as long as the situation demands. One great learning lesson for me, especially when, I have struggled with the situation in many ways. Except for a few unfortunate occassion, by and large I could maintain myself emotionally.

That was my offering and thanks giving at Lady of Ransom.



First Sundy 2014

The first Sunday in the new year. I was occupied with a class today at the University. They were going at double pace to catch up with the holidays they gave us for Christmas.

I went to church in the evening after the class. Little tired and the different language took me a herculian task to stay attentive. Three young men were dressed beautifully as the wise men visiting the "Bala Yesu" were sitting in the front row all through the mass and after wards a small procession went to the big crib on the far end of the Cathedral. There the young priest sang and read out something, I do not know what it was.

What touched me most was the hundred odd students from the lower primary hostel which the sisters run came in a very disclipned line to attend. They were children from very poor families who are kept in the boarding for the whole year for a nominal fee. The elder ones help in altar service and on Sundays they are real proud to be helpful.

St. Joeph's Cathedral, Nellore

To Stay back in Nellore was not my decision. Circumstances forced me to spend the Christmas at St. Josephs Cathedral Church.  Thank You God! it turned out to be a wonderful experience. 

Cathedral church is the seat of the Nellore Bishop. Christmas was celebrated with due respect to the Grace. Beautifully decorated with lights and flowers the church glowed in the Christmas eve. I reached there early. The service started at 11pm and got over  by 2.15 am. It was a memorable evening. 

As the night grew colder the canopy cover which they have fixed all over the cathedral courtyard came handy. The disciple sisters and the hospital sisters - both the convents and a host of others worked really hard with the preparations. Even I got a chance to help Kalyan and Amal Raj who were setting up the Crib inside the church. 

The main crib was outside the church near to the stage. It was beautiful indeed. The Bishop house had its own crib which was small, but cute. The Cathedral had a sprawling crib with huge crib set. 

Since there is Adoration going on from 9am to 6pm, the retired fathers also come in to join. It was touching to see their enthusiasm. 

Earlier in the day, nearly 100 LKG students came into the church along with their teachers. Assistant parish priest gave them a message and blessed them. They were very obedient. 

Christmas Month

Its about ten in the night. The hotel kitchen adjacent to my bachelor Pad is in its final flurry of the Sunday feast. I can hear the fries and the excited voice of the staffs.

At St. Josephs cathedral in the morning, the sisters of the convent had put up a stall selling Christmas decorations. They also had some competitions for the Sunday school children. The little ones participated with much eagerness and excitement. The Nursing students were very few this week. The sister at the convent told me, some of the collegs do not allow the students to attend the mass at all. She requested if I can take up the matter with the Educational consultants who bring them here from Kerala to request the colleges to let them attend the mass atleast once a month.

Nellore is getting colder and the nights are getting longer. Sun light goes out by 5.30pm.

The training at the university is going good. The best thing that happened to me was the opportunity to volunteer at a local college to help some MCA students with their spoken English. The students are mostly Telegu speaking and I am very excited with the opportunity.

Ofcourse, miss going to Lady of Ransom. We might get some holidays for Christmas.

Blogspot is difficult in Internet explorer. It is hanging up on me many times. One of the reasons why I have very few posts here lately.

St. Joseph's Cathedral Nellore

Last two Sundays were almost wiped off with rain at Nellore. Though we survived the destructive Phalin Cyclone and the Helen scare without much trouble, Lehar was supposed to blow off Nellore. We survived that too, luckily the cyclone changed the land crashing a few Kilometers away from the Town I am at now.

This Sunday broke with mild dew and cool air. I went for the the 8.30 Am mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral. Though the service was in Telegu, which I have  not mastered yet, after the mass some 70 nursing students from Vijaya Nursing College came together and offered the Mercy Chaplet soul stirringly. I joined them whole heartedly.

That was the bright spot of the day.

Three months into the program, I am surviving each day with His help. Trying hard to be with Him as much as possible in words and  deeds for the strength and grace to deal with day and its load.

Amazing is the Lord's way, I have come across here a few who are going through the similar life stage but doing well with their faith even though they are from different faith than mine. Great learning experience indeed.

A quick visit to the location of my new area of work and back in time to be at Vallarpadam on Sunday. 20 hours of bus ride shook my insides very badly. 

The Sunday was spent in Thanks Giving.