Faith: If I dare to say! (Part - I)

(Times and again, I was asked to share about my faith experiences. Frankly speaking, it is not easy for me to share about my faith experiences. I often hesitate to share, thinking my experiences might sound silly and stupid to others. But there are certain experiences, persons and moments that gave me ‘DEEP’ experiences along the way. While thinking about ‘the year of Faith’, I tried to articulate these experiences here. Perhaps these are too stupid, too silly, too childish…but they are priceless to me! They keep me going…)

Returning from the door of death!

That must have been in 1994/95. I must have been 13/14 years old. That was the time when I knocked at the door of death. I was almost gone. I could even say, if I were lucky, I must have found myself in a cemetery. But most likely, I was supposed to be eaten by fishes or other animals in the river. ‘Ripon’ of today with different identities like: human being, Jesuit, brother, son, friend, companion, enemy, student…would not be sitting at his desk and typing this post. He would not have even touched a computer in his life time. There would have remained hardly anyone who would remember him till today. But things took a dramatic turn. I am almost tempted to say, God had different plan!Thus ‘Ripon’ is still alive and able to share his experiences…

One day I had to swim across a river. I could not afford to take a boat as I did not have any money. I knew a little bit of swimming, as any boy of this age in my country would know. I was a bit nervous as the river was rather big. I was left with an option to ask for help. I did not have courage to beg for money from anyone. While thinking of what to do, I saw a man, who was about to swim across the river. There were many people who would swim across river as they did not have any money. That man was kind enough and told me to catch his shoulder and swim with him.

When we came almost in the middle of the river, he said to me that he was unable to carry me as he was very tired. We both began to drowning. At one point he left me and shouted for help. I was drowning. I was rather sure that my life would have come to an end now. I asked for God’s help. I began to drink water and drowning. Then I do not remember anything….

When I got back my conscious, I found I was lying under a tree. I have had drunk some water. The man sitting next to me told me that he saved me. He scolded me for not taking the boat. I was frightened. I began to cry. I requested him not to tell anyone about this incident. That man left me…there after I never met him. I never shared this incident to anyone till today!

Was it a Divine providence or human generosity? Different people would have different interpretations. But for me it was HE, who sent someone to help me…