Passport

Twenty years ago when I took my passport, I was an young man with a lot of dreams. My efforts paid off and I could work in foreign countries for nearly ten years. Then, I somehow lost interest in what I did and had to return to my country.
The comeback was not so easy, as I had to take up another line of work in a entirely new field and had to start from the scratch.
As the struggle to get back on my feet again took me longer my resources dried up and I was in a disastrous state of disappointment. My passport fell due for renewal during this time and I couldn't.
It took me an year and a half to reach a stage to at least to even consider it. As I went for renewal this week all those memories came back. Devastating thoughts, ofcourse. After a while I could deal with them spiritually.
I thought about those friends who were with me when we started off. I prayed for their continuous blessings and their well being. Such thoughts kept my spirit up as I moved up the queue for the reissue.

Today, I got mine in my hands.   To my surprise 🎊 there was no excitement as in the first time.

The only hope and dream at the moment is to embrace the destiny as it is....😊

Last of May

Just when I reached Vallarpadam, there was a tour group from Kollam who was led by their Parish priest about to start the mass in the new church. I offered my mass along with them.

The newly laid granite tiles in the front yard of the church has made the yard look beautiful and neat.

Next week is the festival of the holy Spirit. Some shops have already come up for the crowd.

Monsoon has already arrived in Kerala.

Thank you

Thank you, Jesus! One more Masters Degree. That too in a first class.
Eternally indebted my God, if you haven't willed I couldn't have gone the mile.
Thank you for blessing me with the spirit and the mind all thru this two years to overcome miraculously the hardships and the troubles.
Just as I was aware of Your helping hand thank you for giving me the good heart to take along with me a good number of young and old students who were in the program with me, they needed some guidance and wholesome encouragement outside the classrooms. You gave me the strength to help them attain a Masters reasonably well.
Please continue leading me Father, seven years ago, I took a disastrous turn from my main career, suffered greatly in every way. But you helped me to keep going, the new way my mind was so lost in.

Sure as the living day light That You will be there for everyone who call upon You.

After the course, the group which I maintained was disbanded, though some of them wanted it to continue. But somehow I did not find it right to continue with it once the program was over. I pray, Jesus, help and guide them in their future endeavours.

Initiations

Summer holidays are our time for initiation rituals.
At Vallarpadam yesterday was the confirmation of faith at the Basilica church.

Summer Sunday

A summer Sunday noon at Vallarpadam.

A baptism and a big feast. The music accompaniment was so melodious and loud that I struggled not to get carried away !

SUNDAY

New tiles being laud at Mary's. Blazing summer afternoon at Vallarpadam.

Easter

My thoughts were with those who do not have enough to celebrate the freedom that Jesus won for us.
War torn countries, places where they do not have individual freedom, above all, places like ours where they have everything but do not have the mind to see the joy , being enslaved to some mortal worries.
"The day Christ died " the movie I saw during the holy week helped me to appreciate the spirit of Easter meaningfully.
On Easter Sunday at Vallarpadam after the morning mass there was not much crowd. But there were some special pilgrims from other religion who visit our church on day of Easter every year.

Wish you all a happy Easter. May the joy and peace of our Lord be in you in abundance and you continue to be a consolation to all around you.