The lamp of the lamb

I was not into community until this year. I was spiritual and living a life of a monk. But the situations, experiences and word of God wanted me to focus on prayer and community this year. I was not sure how this new call would fall into place as I am naturally an extremely private person.

This year, I initially got introduced to SVP and I was happy to be part of slum community. I was happy to be part of my senior team. I thought this was it. But after three months or so, Lord led me to attend the Praise and Worship regularly on Tuesday. Prior to this, the Lord had already led me to meet my dad daily at the grave, led me into attending daily Mass, daily rosary and occasional prayer of Precious blood in front of the Blessed Sacrament. I thought there could be nothing more than this. I thought this was it. But then Cressie, a senior person in ministry for many years, suddenly and personally invited me for Proclamation festival. Proclamation was a little too much for me. But I had this Lord's call in my head that I had to open up to community. I thought it was a single day thing and I would be out of it. That way I made Cressie and God happy at the same time. By the end of it, I was freaking out, walking with the lamp in front of the whole congregation, to be the coordinator support for such a sensitive people-facing initiative. It seemed like the Lord is asking me too much. I was confronting God, " why he is pulling me from the last seat in the church and putting me right on the altar. I am not holy. I am still battling with my personal problems, sins and weaknesses. I am not perfect". I was not ready to share God in a direct manner. Though I have been sharing God indirectly for many years now.

But in the last one year, the Lord had made me comfortable in approaching poor people especially beggars. I was more fearless to face people in problems because of my SVP experience.

On our parish feast day, when I joined in with the Proclamation group at 8 pm, I did not expect much confrontation, as it was the end of the feast day. For some time, I began evaluating the place, the people and the process.

I finally saw this old man looking desperate and worried for some reason. He came personally to the Proclamation desk where literature was distributed. He was led by Biju to the prayer corner where a legionary priest from Don Bosco Church prayed for him. I thought he should experience God daily and more of it. I passed on the beautiful blue colour invitation to legionary to ask him to be part of Christmas get together celebration. After all, Christ is for all and Church is Universal.

Soon after the legionary priest prayed over him, I approached this old man and realized he was under attack from some evil powers for 30 years. He was 55 years old but looked like 70 because of all the torment he experienced. He was fed up with all the daily fights in the house. He was hoping for a deliverance. He was looking for an immediate solution and cure and I was not capable of it.

On the back of my head, I knew Lord had mentioned that he would empower us to drive away evil forces, cause greater miracles through us. I did not think I was ready for it. I wanted to quietly ask God to drive away the evil powers.

I went on to explain to him about the life after this life. I narrated about how sin and evil power have controlled us all, how we are helpless, how we all are burdened with suffering and sin.

I told him how none of us are deserving and how none of us are without suffering?

I introduced him to Jesus. I told him how Jesus has promised us an eternal life where there will be no more suffering, no more sin, and how we will live in his Grace in the next life?

I was urging him to bring Jesus in his daily life so that the evil powers that are attacking him could be shunned away. I explained to him how evil power is not only attacking him but the whole family. I told him that the solution lies in entire family turning to Jesus and through our Lord making all things right.

I knew once he left this place, I would not be an influence in his life, neither could I can be of any help. I wanted him to be close to Jesus in prayer.

I told him to come for our get together with his entire family. I asked him 'Will you come?. He said 'sure'. I tried to make him fearless of people and make him believe that he does not need me but all he needs is God.

Before he left the place, I showed him how to make the sign of the cross and asked him to make a personal prayer to God requesting to drive away the evil power.

In the end, I took the courage, gently placed my two fingers on the pinnacle of his forehead, made a quiet one liner request prayer asking God to drive away the evil powers.

I tried to make him understand that I am no healer but he kept smiling and even gave me that special kiss on my hand, out of utter devotion. For him, my hand was the hand of God. For me, I felt like the Pope.

My entire approach at the individual level was two prong: Explain the gospel's relevance in their personal life, get them involved with prayer through daily Mass and daily rosary.

This in itself will be a mighty leap for lost souls. Amen. #GodIsGood