LET THE CHILDREN COME TO ME



















Pic.: Azriel D'Souza

 My friend, Mukesh, who resides in the same building where I work from, had come to invite me to his house, yesterday. “Gerry sir, there is a puja at my place today morning,” he said, “please come for a while, any time at your convenience, between 2 and 6 to accept Prasad.”

I went around 3.45 to Mukesh’s place. House was packed with visitors. Mukesh’ family offered me a plate of delicious Prasad. In the hall-room, they had placed a framed photo of Mukesh’s deceased parents. People stood before the photo to pay a silent homage and after that dropped a tern or twenty rupee note in the plate in front of the photo. It was a refreshing picture of Mukesh’s parents who looked young and happy in that picture. Mukesh’s dad died before and soon, his mother did. Both, particularly Mukesh’s mother, were very ill when they had passed away. When I stood before the picture, I felt very happy to see Mukesh’s parents with such warmth…

I also relished thoroughly the Prasad Mukesh’s family had served me, particularly the doda (sweet koky) and the carrot-and-cauliflower pickle.

But, then, after I came back to my office, I realized that I had no clue as to why the puja was performed… “Maybe in memory of Mukesh’s parents… for their soul… a shraad… Or, maybe a thanks-giving puja… Or, maybe seeking blessings and protection… I did not clarify on that…

But, I felt very good when I stood, in front of Mukesh’s parents' photo, for that brief moment… I, also, felt very good when I savored the Prasad offered to me with grace and reverence…


When it comes to religious customs and ceremonies – including those of my own faith – I, invariably, act dumb. I am incredibly ignorant about most of them… But, I attend and come home a lot moved… at times, with tears in my eyes, at times with goose-bumps all over my body… and, at times, my heart skipping a beat or two…

They are poignant moments… Very moving…

Yet, I can tell you – and without any regret or shame – that I do not bother much about what the fuss all about!

There are many heart-warming videos about Pope Francis. He has won the hearts of millions, world over, just by being simple, human and approachable… In one of the videos, we see a little boy repeatedly wanting to be cuddled by the Pope as he speaks to an august audience… The Security tries to bribe the kid away... but, the kid wants Pope’s affection… He goes and tightly hugs the Pope’s robe… and, you feel the warmth as the Pope runs his hand over the little-one’s head!

It had happened over two thousand years ago, as well. When Jesus was tired and resting, many little children were trying to go near Him. Jesus’ disciples did not want the Master be disturbed. But, the Master Himself said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

I have forgotten many prayers of my own faith… Honestly, I feel very, very connected to my Lord – my Father – despite it!


GERALD D’CUNHA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MUTHU KODI KAWARI HADA

Image
Pic.; Ashwin Mohta M y Hindi was always bad. It still is. One reason for this was, that they introduced Hindi for us only in 6 th standard. Or, was it in 8 th ? I don’t remember… I only remember struggling to write and read… leave alone speak! But, I loved Hindi movies, and, strangely, I could understand the dialogues and the lyrics of the songs… I used to sing those songs (of course when no one was around me!) as if I was the lyricist… One of the songs was a very funny one. ‘Muthu Kodi Kawari Hada’. It was from Mehmood’s super-hit comedy – ‘Do Phool’. I was a 15-year-old high-school boy when I had heard that song (not watched the movie). I could grasp the meaning of two words – ‘Muthu Kodi’… which meant ‘Give kiss’… But, what ‘Kawari Hada’ meant, I have no clue till date! It was just like ‘Why this kolaveri di’... Yes, why ask? Simply enjoy the beats… And, the beats are great… The rest... Who cares? Really! So, whatever bit of Hi...
Read more

SELLING MIRRORS IN THE CITY OF THE BLIND

Image
“I laugh when I hear that the fish in the water is thirsty. I laugh when I hear that people go on pilgrimage to find God.” - Kabir T here is a universal human weakness – and it dates back to the days of fallen civilizations – and it is: to place people on pedestal and trying to be smothered by them, feel loved and protected in their company… worship them as mentors, heroes,  gurus, Mahagurus and Satgurus… Make these mortals larger-than-life cut-outs, worship them as flawless, pure and give one’s all… And, then, ‘take’ everything from them blindly as divine… Give everything to them blindly… Eventually, what happens is:  one more dangerous bondage… What was supposed to free you now becomes a new prison… It’s sad to see this happen! T his room, where I am writing this Post, has no image of any deity. I have no image of any Guru or Master around me… My question is: “Am I not able to feel close to Almighty God?  How ...
Read more

"HAPPILY EVER AFTER IS NOT A FAIRY-TALE... IT IS A CHOICE"

Image
“Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone… It has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made new.” – Ursula K. Le Guin,  The Lathe of Heaven T welve years ago, when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie got married, the world began to hail the couple as ‘Brangelina’. It became a fashion for couples around us to call themselves so… Norbert and Teresa renamed them as ‘Noresa’…  Amol and Vishaka baptized their relationship as ‘Amoshka’… and, Salman and Nargis became ‘Salgis’! I and my wife, too, got tempted to re-christian our matrimonial relationship as ‘Germa’... That is, Gerald and Anima, to be precise! B efore I proceed any further, let me make it very clear, here… that, I have no business to judge on the break-up of Brad Pitt and Angelina’ Jolie’s marriage. I have no inclination to go into why, how, what when etc behind it… The couple ‘chose’ to split. And, it’s their choice… Only they know how good or bad… how joyful or pain...
Read more
THE WILD, WAYSIDE FLOWERS
There is, always, something extra-ordinary in the wild, wayside flowers...