Thou hast made me known to friends whom I knew not.
Thou hast given me seats in homes not my own.
Thou hast brought the distant near and made a brother of the stranger. (Rabindranath Tagore)
Often I ponder over these words of Tagore. How true they are in my life! Almost 11 years ago I left my home, my country. My study and mission took me to different countries. I met different people. They welcomed me in their homes and accepted me as one of them. I often wonder why people love me. Take the examples of Mrs Particia. I have met her just a few months ago. She is ever ready to welcome me into her home. She cooks my favorite dishes. She calls me often and enquires about my health and study.
Just on the other, after my exams I was tired and was looking for place where I can take rest. Many of my companies went out for holidays. I did not join any group as initially I thought of doing some serious study after the exams. But I could not do so. I was simply tired. Finally I took the phone and called Mrs Patricia. Before I expressed my desire, she invited me to visit her. I spent two days with her. We spoke a lot, went for walk, did shopping and cooked together. She would often ask me what do I want to, what do I want to eat? At the time of my departure she bought some food for me, which I could carry back my community. I asked her, ‘why do you do so many things for me?’ She smiled. She did not utter any words. But her smiled showed me how much she loves me.
Immediately after my novitiate, I began my juniorate programme. Every Sunday I would go to a village for my pastoral experience. It did not take much time to be part of the village community. Today after many years, whenever I get chance I go back to that village. I go back because I know they love me, they care for me. I often wonder and ask myself, why? I have no answer! I could express my sentiments like R. Tagore, “Thou hast made me known to friends whom I knew not...
Thou hast given me seats in homes not my own.
Thou hast brought the distant near and made a brother of the stranger. (Rabindranath Tagore)
Often I ponder over these words of Tagore. How true they are in my life! Almost 11 years ago I left my home, my country. My study and mission took me to different countries. I met different people. They welcomed me in their homes and accepted me as one of them. I often wonder why people love me. Take the examples of Mrs Particia. I have met her just a few months ago. She is ever ready to welcome me into her home. She cooks my favorite dishes. She calls me often and enquires about my health and study.
Just on the other, after my exams I was tired and was looking for place where I can take rest. Many of my companies went out for holidays. I did not join any group as initially I thought of doing some serious study after the exams. But I could not do so. I was simply tired. Finally I took the phone and called Mrs Patricia. Before I expressed my desire, she invited me to visit her. I spent two days with her. We spoke a lot, went for walk, did shopping and cooked together. She would often ask me what do I want to, what do I want to eat? At the time of my departure she bought some food for me, which I could carry back my community. I asked her, ‘why do you do so many things for me?’ She smiled. She did not utter any words. But her smiled showed me how much she loves me.
Immediately after my novitiate, I began my juniorate programme. Every Sunday I would go to a village for my pastoral experience. It did not take much time to be part of the village community. Today after many years, whenever I get chance I go back to that village. I go back because I know they love me, they care for me. I often wonder and ask myself, why? I have no answer! I could express my sentiments like R. Tagore, “Thou hast made me known to friends whom I knew not...
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