My dearly beloved Parishioners,
A question that constantly comes to mind these days is, ‘Knowing the briefness of human life, why does man seek to become Supreme and a superpower over others? What is Modern War for? Could it be to satisfy one’s ego and for a display of the nuclear and lethal chemical, technologically digitized weapons in one’s possession? Could it be a desire to exercise power over other nations by creating terror? Could it be aimed at wiping away certain cultures and races from the planet?
In this scenario, the words from the Bible ring loud and clear.
“For what profit is it to man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? (Mt 16:26)
“Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength” (Jeremiah 17:5)
A story is told about a little boy on a journey to meet the most powerful one.
One day, he meets Iron and asks, ‘Iron, are you the most powerful?’
Iron replied, ‘No, when I am put into fire, I lose all my strength’
He then asked Fire, ‘Fire, are you the most powerful?’
The Fire replied, ‘No, water is more powerful. When water touches me, I am destroyed completely.’
He then goes to Water, ‘Water, are you the most powerful?’
The water replied, ‘No, the Sun is stronger. If you put me in the sun, I evaporate.’
So, he turns to the Sun, ‘O beautiful and brilliant Sun, are you the most powerful?’
The Sun replied, ‘No, the clouds are more powerful as they can hide me and block my light.’
He then asked the clouds, ‘Cloud, are you the most powerful?’
The Cloud replied, ‘No. The wind is more powerful because it can move me wherever it wants.’
He then goes to the wind, ‘Wind, are you the most powerful?’
The Wind replied, ‘No. The mountain is more powerful because I cannot move the mountain.’
He then goes to the mountain, ‘Mountain, are you the most powerful?’
The Mountain replied, ‘No. Man is more powerful because he can break me and even destroy me.’
The little boy is in admiration of Man and asks, ‘Man, are you the most powerful?’
Man replies, ‘No. Death is more powerful as I am turned into dust and nothingness’
So, he goes to meet Death and asks, ‘Death, are you the most powerful?’
Death replies, ‘It is true that I have put to death the greatest and most powerful civilizations and kingdoms along with their Emperors, Rulers, Warriors and Governments. I have caused the rich and the poor alike to vanish and turned them into ashes and dust. Until the day I killed the ONE who was CRUCIFIED on the CROSS and was buried. On the THIRD DAY, He ROSE AGAIN and DEFEATED AND CONQUERED me, PROMISING LIFE ETERNAL TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIM.
The little boy had found the truly powerful one IN THE RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST. Let us place our faith and trust in the SUPREME AND SUPER POWER of the Risen Lord and reach out in service of one another in love and humility, trusting in the grace and peace of the DIVINE MERCY.
On behalf of Fr. Edwin Vas SVD, Fr. George Mepurath SVD, Fr. Lucas Parkhe SVD and Deacon Ebin Joseph SVD, I wish you all,
“A HAPPY EASTER and GOD’S GRACEFUL EASTER SEASON”.
Fr. John Mascarenhas SVD
Parish Priest