Gerald D'Cunha

“Life is too short to stuff a mushroom.”  ―  Shirley Conran S ome days ago, a dear friend of ours, who lived here in Mumbai, had been with his wife to our hometown, Mangalore, on a brief vacation. He was 62 and healthy all along. Besides, he was always adored by loads of friends. Though was not blessed with an offspring, the couple was content and done well for itself in life. Importantly, as they did not have their own children, the husband and wife, both, had helped out many of their relatives in education and  to become doctors and engineers in life…  I was, always, glad to note this side of their life story… that is: if God hasn’t given you your own children, treat someone else’s as your own… Yes, they did so… and so beautifully! Two days ago, I learnt from my sister-in-law, who lives in Mangalore, that our dear friend had succumbed to a massive heart failure. “Last night, we all met in a birthday party here… He was so ch...

 “No one, who puts his hand to the plow and looks back, Is fit for the Kingdom of God.” What did Jesus Christ Want to convey by these words? Where is this ‘Kingdom of God’? Here on earth… or, hereafter?   Every morning, when I rise, And every night when I retire, I, often, think on these words of Jesus. A hundred regrets, a hundred complaints, A hundred fears and a hundred denials… Yes, every day, I have this challenge from Jesus Christ: “My son, you have a choice,” I hear Him telling me: “To look back with regret, blame and anger… Or, to step out with your ‘plow’ into the new Sun With trust, gratitude and hope.” I hear Him saying: “Yes my son, you can live in Self-defeating denials Or, soar in uplifting acceptance; You can look back And be consumed by the ‘Pillar of Fire’… Or, you can look forward To the glory of God’s Kingdom.” I have picked the ‘Plow’...