Gerald D'Cunha

    “Why does life keep teaching me lessons I have no desire to learn?” Unknown W ell, it feels nice when we hear someone say, “We come with empty hands, and we go with empty hands.” Nice thought… Reality of life… Nobody is exempted from this reality… Yes, we all know this. Still, none of us seems willing to let go easily…   leave behind our possessions when we go. The question seems to surface: “What’s the use of slogging so hard, all my life? What is the use of all the sacrifices? Why should I return empty-handed?” Last afternoon, a gentleman was asking me the same question: “It’s hard to return, leaving behind the very thing I had come here for,” he was telling me with pain. He and his wife had settled for several years in one of the Middle East countries. Both had jobs there. Their only son is expected to write his 12 th Standard Board-exams, soon. The wife passed away some months ago leaving her husband and son in deep sorrow. They know, that life has to...

T esting times are called so, for they ‘test’ us. Why else would one call them ‘testing times’? To me, Jesus Christ was more a human than God. Yes, my Christian faith makes me believe that He was ‘Son of God’. But, then, what about you and me? Whose sons and daughters are we? So, every time I seek inspiration from Jesus Christ, my Hero, I seek it seeing Him as a real human just like you and me. Yes, He touched and healed others… walked on water… gave sight to the blind… cleansed lepers and the sinners… even brought dead men to life. But, when it came to His own life, He dreaded, lost all His courage… was left torn and tormented just as how you and I would in testing times… That’s why, from the Cross, right from the pit of His acute agony, He cried out loudly, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Come to think about it!!! Two of my most favorite hymns/songs are about surrendering to God’s will in our times of trial, and they both talk about ‘s...

Pic.: Bhushan Thakkar N ilesh*, who was one of my brilliant students, some twenty years ago, and who is now a very dear friend, sent me a sms, a while ago: “Sir, please remember us in your prayers on this Holy Friday and specially pray for our project  ---------- . May Jesus Christ bless all of us. May we learn from His sacrifice, patience and humility in dealing with all our loved ones. Regards.” I quickly replied: “Good morning Nilesh. Yes, I will keep you in my prayers. Just pursue your dream with all your sincerity and passion. Keep faith. I am sure, Jesus will bless your dream. Love.” This friend of mine is a very sincere, passionate and committed individual. I have watched him working hard and long. So, I have no doubt when I say, “Jesus will bless your dream.” N o matter how hard and long we all may work, and no matter how sincere, well-intended and committed individuals we all are, there are times, when we realize tha...