ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE UNTO THEE

 



“The most critical time in a battle is

not when I’m fatigued;

it’s when I no longer care.”

Graig G. Lounsbrough

 

One of the powerful imageries, deeply imbedding in my mind, relates to this period of Lent... Jesus Christ’s prayer at the lonely place – Gethsemane Garden. He knew, what’s coming upon him... He had lost his courage... He was feeling his humanness completely... Thus, He had gone, accompanied by a few trusted disciples, to pray for courage... That prayer was so intense, the Holy Book says, that Jesus sweat blood... Down on His knees, He had prayed: “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt.”

It wasn’t possible for Jesus Christ to arrive at this crucial stage before he could experience the courage and peace... He prayed hard before acceptance brought in Him – peace... Now, He was unafraid, he was ready to face whatever was supposed to befall upon Him...

In Lent, we Christians are supposed to fast, pray, reflect, repent – try to become good human beings. The same is the goal of our Muslim brothers and sisters during Ramadan. Jesus Christ was born in Israel... And, it is so disturbing to see right in the middle of Lent, Ramadan and the so-called ‘Holy Land’  – this heinous war is being waged...

It’s unholy – inhuman...

“Father, forgive them. For, they do not know what they are doing.” Well, this was the last prayer Jesus Christ said as the last breath went out of Him on the cross...





Well, you and I have no control on the wars waged outside. At best, we can try to deal with our inner wars... Jesus Christ’s prayer at the Gethsemane Garden gives us a glimpse – how we can go on our knees and pray for courage, clarity and peace...

My cousin brother, Sundara Pandian (the son of my Mom’s youngest sister), is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army, presently stationed in Hyderabad. A tough man in the uniform... and a thorough gentleman. He has been our inspiration – a beacon of hope and courage. Presently, he is fighting the hardest, battle in his personal life: Two weeks ago, his 10-year-old son was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour between his brain and spine... According to the doctors, it is quite aggressive and at an advanced stage... The little one is subjected to radiation and other cancer treatments... and, my heart goes out for my soldier brother and his family...

“Abba, Father,” I, too, find myself on my knees and praying... “all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from my cousin brother’s family: nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt.”



 

GERALD D’CUNHA


Pic’s: www.vecteezy.com

Video: Relaxdaily

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