VERONICA'S VEIL
“Hate
is not the opposite of love; apathy is.”
Rollo
May
A couple
of days ago, when I had blogged on the plight of migrant workers –
particularly those who were mowed down on the railway tracks in Aurangabad, a
dear friend of mine had said this in her comment: “In case we can be of
help together in any way, let me know… Lockdown will continue for quite some time…
I am sure, we can contribute somewhere, somehow. Helplessness, perhaps, is
one of the worst feelings ever… And this news made me feel so helpless!”
Ever since the
lockdown was announced, I haven’t stepped out of the door… Should I dramatize through
our PM’s analogy – 'I haven’t crossed the Laxman Rekha’!
Why is that?
Well, I may try
to get some sympathy, citing my recent brush with Cancer and kidney issues.
But, the truth is this: I am privileged to be inside my house for all this lockdown
period… I have my wife and young son to ensure, that I, along with my aged and
ailing in-laws, are ‘safe’.
What if, I did
not have that privilege?
Today, we heard
about another twenty-four migrants being crushed to death, when the trucks
carrying them collided in UP… They, too, didn’t reach their homes!
It’s truly heart-breaking!
I know, you and I cannot do much to these unfortunate fellow-citizens of our
country… Many Good Samaritans are there, out in the open, doing their bit…
offering some food, biscuits, water, some succor in their motors, or some footwear
to protect their feet from burning… whatever.
But, how can a citizen
like me – who has this privilege of not stepping out of his door for the entire
lockdown period – help these unfortunate fellow-humans?
My friend said
in her comment, “Helplessness, perhaps, is one of the worst feelings ever.”
Looking other
way, burying my face in the sand – and pretending to have seen nothing at all…
No Sir, it’s just not possible for us. These hearts are not made of stone, and
this mind is made of fragile feelings!
To my friend,
who had wondered if we could do something, somehow, together, I had replied:
“It may sound
very naive; but, our most sincere and compassionate thoughts in this regard,
coupled with a quiet prayer, are the immediate things you and I can do. There
is a Higher Power… Let’s trust.”
Was I trying to escape
by passing it on God?
God Himself –
Jesus, the human – was left lonely through his traumatic way to Calvary… Nobody
else could carry His cross. Perhaps, a bystander like Simon of Cyrene might
have taken it on his shoulders for a while. But, he was forced to do it, and that’s hardly
enough. Perhaps, another stranger woman – Veronica - might have offered her
veil (a piece of cloth used to cover her head) to Jesus to wipe His face off
the blood, sweat and tears… Though that, too, was hardly enough, she did it out
of her most sincere feelings…
And, I find
solace in the fact, that Veronica, who offered Jesus her veil, did it out of her most sincere and compassionate thoughts towards His plight. I find
this imagery very, very reassuring as, today, you and I feel helpless along these
migrants’ way to Calvary!
True, you and I
may not be able to do much. But, certainly, like Veronica, we may be able to
offer them a piece of cloth – our most sincere thoughts and prayers. Perhaps,
it may help them wipe their sweat, tears – and blood – off their face and feet…
O Father, please
have mercy on them… and forgive us!
GERALD D’CUNHA
Pic.: 1.the print.in 2. www'india.com
Video: Fredy Solace
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