Chris Fernandes
The shameful goings on at Raia are a wake up call to every lukewarm Catholic in Goa and expat Goan around the world. I thought of the many times I have, through my negligence or lack of better judgement, disgraced my faith and disobeyed my gentle Lord. How many times have YOU done the same, brothers? Have you ever blasphemed against the Lord’s cousin, St. John the Baptist by celebrating his feast with heavy drinking and feasting, when you know John was an ascetic and never let liquor or rich food touch his lips?
Have you followed Christ’s life giving directive to forgive your brother 77 times? How many times have you robbed the Creator by denying him the tithe of a tenth of your profits and time? Have you ever tossed rocks at his holy temple (your body) and defaced it with cigarettes, debauchery and gluttony? Have you ever realized that your Father has a ton of palaces in Goa for you to visit, where you are welcome to sit in the first row and partake in his banquet? Have you understood that He wants you there to be a part of the mass celebration, and not a yawning spectator? That you are supposed to read the missal and prepare for the Word that Sunday and spend the hour you are there tirelessly invoking the anointing of the holy Spirit on the congregation, the priest, the church and the village, marking it as Holy; asking the Light to cleanse all present there of worries, fear, resentment, sickness and hatred, which is the biggest blasphemy in the house of Love and Mercy.
Do you know that Jesus is still alive and aches to speak to you? That His Word and healing touch is in the Bible and if you open it, his presence will manifest when you speak his words out loud? Are you aware that you are made in God’s image and as such possess His power to create with your words? How many times have you shot your mouth off and misused this inheritance? Have you made prolific use of your talents like Alfred Rose, Orlande De Noronha, Lorna, Nephie Rod and Mario Miranda? Do you still prize the temporal delights of liquor and lust over the priceless gifts of the Spirit?
Do you honor the saints but turn a deaf year to the sobbing of Ven. Fr Agnel who begs us to redeem his birthplace Anjuna from the infestation of drugs? Have you ever spat on or littered the life giving soil that was blessed with rain at the right time, peace and freedom to her children?
Did you abandon your elders to old age homes in their golden years? Did you let your children lose in this world without teaching them to make novenas and to ask God before they make big decisions?
Do you know that pride and lies are the trademarks of the Destroyer and you are his spawn if you have an iota of either in you? Do you believe that you are called to be mirror images of Christ, practicing his traits till others see him in you?
