Ash Wednesday- the start of Lent

Just as the carnival ends, the days of fun of frolic, Ash Wednesday begins. For many who do not know the significance of this day, Ash Wednesday is the day that marks the beginning of Lent. Lent resembles the 40 days that our Lord, Jesus Christ spent in the dessert, fasting and praying and being tempted by the devil.

Lent is a period of grace for the many of believe and follow it strictly. Some of the things that are usually done by a pious catholic would be fasting, specially on a Friday , the day when Christ gave up his life for the world. Fasting is followed with prayers , it also gives us a chance to look into the dirtiness of our lives and make some firm decisions to change ourselves and live a better life. Alms giving is yet another thing that needs to be done during the lent, it’s a small price to pay for the sins that we have made. The way of the cross is carried out every Friday in the church . The way of the cross is a recollection of the final moments of Jesus Christ has he carried his cross to Mount Calvery.


How will I spent my Lent ? Well I want it fruitful and really worth while. Who knows might be even my last, one never knows. I want to change my life and wash at least partially if not completely the dirty patches that still exists within me that prevents me from being a better person. I pray and hope and I receive all the graces that I need to do so this Lent so that I can rejoice when Easter arrives.

Beauty of Forgiveness

The Beauty of Forgiveness

“Forgive them Father for they know not what they do”

The above were the exact words that our Lord said while on the cross, one of the most humiliating way that he was sentenced to death.


What is Forgiveness ? Forgiveness is letting go of the belief that the other person did wrong. It is not saying “I know you committed a sin, but I will not hold it against you.”

I work for a software firm. An organization consisting of 200 employees, most males, a few females. It so happened one day that a friend of mine or rather that is what I thought he was, was enjoying a cup of tea with a group of guys in the organization while on a tea break. After a while it was brought to my notice that this friend was actually spoiling my image. Was surprised and inquired as to what exactly happened, firstly was informed that he was actually degrading my dress sense. He portrayed me as a very loose character girl who dressed up to attract the opposite sex. I was shocked and hurt. Many urged me to complain for abuse against him but I was never the type to complain. This abuse did not stop on that day, it continued, a few weeks later a close friend of mine came up to me and informed that this same friend was degrading my personal life too. Once again I felt betrayed, humiliated and insulted.

As far as society goes, a girl should fight for a her right but I refused to do so because I knew this would disrupt the harmony of this organization and my life would be a topic of discussion for every other person in the organization. It was at this time that I recalled these words “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do”. I used to say these words in continuous sequence for atleast half and hour a day. I didn’t know the effects of it, if it would bring me any consolation or not but I knew for sure it would definitely not bring me more harm then there was already.

Slowly I realized that it indeed has an amazing effect. I calmed down, tears stopped and the pain subsided. I felt a lot better. I have stopped interacted with my betrayer but today though I see him now and then, I no longer feel the hatred which was filled within me. Those words thought me to LET GO. I have got my freedom back, freedom from being bound to a person who is not worth of a friend like me.

I have realized the value and power behind the words shouted by our Lord, Jesus Christ as he hung to death. Those words are valuable and, trust me, they do work miracles.

The reason for writing out this article is not relate this experience, this experience is used only as an example which could take place to any ordinary working girl and am sure that many of you have dealt with betrayals even worse then this, the importance here is to be given to the words. Words which give you the instant peace and consolation of the Risen Lord. Let’s make it a habit not to hold anything against our brethren however bad the hurt maybe but take the example of our Lord and experience the beauty of forgiveness. To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you..

Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21,22).

Pulished by the Stella Maris Community for the monthly bullentin

Religious Indifferences

The cross, a symbol of the ultimate suffering that Christ under took to save the world from sin. A symbol so important to the thousand of Catholics living around India and the World. The church, his holy temple, where his precious body is kept in the form of the Holy Host. Priest, his prophets on earth, that preach and proclaim his holy word.

I have started this article explaining these important terms so that those who really don’t understand the meaning of the same are aware how exactly the sentiments of my Christian and catholic brethren are hurt due to violence in Orissa and Bangalore.

Violence brings only more violence, differences in caste and religion carried in people mind bring even more division. We are living in a world where man have reached the ocean dept and have conquered the skies, if man is so intelligent how come he does not understand the basics of living in this world ?, in harmony with his fellow men.

It’s time that we start respecting the rights and sentiments of each and every religion in India and the world. Cause we are not born has judges , to judge who is right and wrong, let’s atleast leave this right to the one above

The above article was submitted to Times of India. Till date not published.

Blessed Virgin Mother, mother of Christ.

A mother, is one loving person that God has created on this earth. She is there for her child no matter how sick the child maybe, no matter how bad a child maybe, no matter what. She is a emblem of love and sacrifice.

For me the best emblem of love, hope and sacrifice is none other then our Lord’ss mother, Virigin Mary. A woman born without the original sin and totally committed to the will of God. Right from the moment that Mother Mary said “Yes” to the Angel Gabrielle she remained truthful to the “Yes” until the end.

Sometimes when we sinner fall due to our weakness it just becomes impossible to rise and continue with our normal life. The guilt remains behind our mind and haunts us. If we jut approached our Blessed Mother Mary with humility, respect and ask for pardon, she would be more then willing to embrace us and show us the way to her son, our Lord Jesus Christ. But we seldom do that, we just waste so much of our time feeling guilty and totally hopeless that we do not look at this opportunity to change our lives.

She was there when Peter denied our Lord and when Judas betrayed. Mother Mary was there when she saw her only son, crucified like a criminal for all the good he had done. The pain that she must have gone through must have been immense. She knows what is suffering, what is a betrayal and what it is to do good and not get any good in return. At any time of our lives when we feel totally dejected and depressed, let’s turn to our good and loving mother for forgiveness and advice so that we can continue doing God’s will and helping in changing the lives of people around us.

I end this article with a Hail Mary.