A few days ago I celebrated my birthday. As the morning dawned I woke up with a feeling of joy and contentment.
It was not because I had achieved something great in life. It was a joy for having accepted myself, for having open to God’s promptings, for having developed a relationship with God that I could converse with him freely.
And I felt that he listened to me and often told me to remain quiet and listen not only to him but also to others through whom he spoke time and again. This exercise had opened a path to new realizations; I felt faded relationships were coming alive within and around me. Above all I could feel the surging of waves of joy within me.
It was Easter season too and the glorious presence of the Risen Lord pervaded the atmosphere. When the singing of the Alleluia resounded in the chapel it did so in my heart too and helped me spread its joyful vibrations around me and across to persons who I cared about.
The Gospel of the day by St John the evangelist (3:16-21) said, “This is how God loved you, he gave his only Son.” Yes, God loved me from all eternity; he loved me as I am and now asks me to grow in his ways.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles, narrated the miraculous escape of the apostles from the prison led by God’s Angel, and the command to “tell the people about new life.”
I felt on this day, this message being told to me, recalling how shy I felt about speaking of Jesus earlier. Born into a traditional St Thomas Christian family, I had taken my faith for granted.
Those who fearlessly and wholeheartedly share about Christ is one who has experienced Jesus in depth; whom Jesus has given new life; saved from loneliness; from illness, from depression, from bad publicity and the like. He has save me, resuscitated me, and now I felt the urge to speak of him through my life and actions.
Then came the reflection of a young priest who celebrated Eucharist with us on this day. “Once a parish priest invited a monk to talk to the parishioners of God’s love. Known for his austere and holy life, people thronged the small village church. The old church was faintly lit by the light crept through the windows.
“The monk came in with a torchlight, walked to the altar. He shone the light on the crucifix which stood on the altar. First on the nailed legs of Jesus, his pierced side, then on his right arm, then the left, and finally on his bleeding face.
“The monk then extinguished the lamp and walked out of the door just as he had come a few minutes ago.
His preaching was loud and clear, “Jesus hung on the cross for love of you and me.”
The message went straight home to me.
Birthdays, in the words of Jawaharlal Nehru, remind us of one more day near to eternity. This reminder is a call to live a fuller life, rich in mercy and love, where everyone we come in touch with find a place to rest, to lean on, to be comforted, encouraged, loved and protected.
Here I am reminded of a poem by J.S. Bergan and S.M. Schwan:
Lord my God, when your love spilled over into creation
You thought of me.
I am from love, of love, for love.
Let my heart, O God, always recognize, cherish and enjoy
your goodness in all creation.
Direct all that is in me toward your praise.
Teach me reverence for every person, all things.
Energize me in your service.
O God, may nothing ever distract me from your love…
Neither health, nor sickness, wealth or poverty,
honour or dishonour, long life or short life.
May I never seek nor choose to be other than you intend or wish.