The Christian minority went jittery over the remark made by a fundamentalist of the RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat against Mother Teresa that her work was with an objective to convert those she helped to become Christians. We had reasons to become fearful because the Bharatiya Janata Party under Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not do much to give us the assurance that Christians in India will be protected. Our reaction was timely to alert the fundamentalists that we are not slumbering but shrewd and sensitive to what is happening in our country.
At the Vishwa Hindu Parishad convention held at Fatorda here in Goa, its agenda was only to accuse the Christian minority of forceful conversion recalling history what happened some centuries ago and inviting Ghar Wapsi. The Parishad did not preach the multitude on the religion and the goodness of life. On the contrary, one speaker even said Mother Teresa minted money in the name of serving the poor and tainted India’s image as poor. In fact India is a poor country even after 68 years of independence if one should look at the poor living in slums, under the bridges and by the roadside. Mother Teresa said: give till it hurts. We practice giving according to our conscience but to give love is divine. Mother did just that in her mission. Her simplicity and humility were reflected in the work she did. She made India proud by winning the Nobel Peace Prize and the Indian Govt. rightfully honored her with the Bharat Ratna. On her death she was found to possess only a water bucket and a saree of the congregation of the Sisters of Charity to which she belonged.
We Christians remain strong in faith and service. Jesus said: forgive not seven times but seventy times seven. It means to forgive our enemies with no limit. They will persecute you because of me. Sadly, under the present govt. we are witnessing it. Let us remain united in brotherhood and not be divided by divisive forces. Let us make India a great nation of citizens of a healthy mind and tell the world that we, Indians are a nation where peace, love and understanding reign.
