“I am beside you-------My presence will go with you”

“I am beside you-------My presence will go with you.”O! Servant, where dost thou seek me?O! I am beside thee.I am neither in temple nor in mosque;I am neither in Kaaba nor in Kailasa;Neither am I in rites and ceremonies,Nor in yoga and renunciation.If thou art a true seeker, thou shalt at once see me. [Kabir’s Thought]Yes, this little servant, Sr.Suma started to seek ‘Jesus my sole friend’ yearsback. At last I reached to the conclusion with the thought of Kabir, and I found Himbeside me. I went on meeting Him when I started to seek outside, beside me near and far.Then on I also started to give my heart and ears to listen, give my lips to speak, give myeyes to have a deep kind look, give my hands to lift, give my feet to walk, give my shoulder to carry, give my knees to be in front of my Jesus interceding with the words ofMoses “Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may knowyou and find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” He said,“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here---------- I n this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.”[Exo.33:13-16]Here I would like to gently and gratefully turn just two-three pages of the bookof my life in these Jagdalpur and Raipur mission and my “God- Experience; My presencewill go with you.” in my mission.•I am there in the least of my brotherI was in Raipur diocese in Tilda one of our stations . Seeing to the rickshaw-pullers and their way of living, our community decided to have “Rickshaw-Puller’s Day”.I was challenged, whether they will be ready to keep aside their only way of earning andcome. January 19th 2007 Sunday I met them and informed about their day and programme and reminded through other pullers who used to school with children. Eventhen, they themselves were not sure. I had my own little way of praying in my heart alongwith His presence. Community arranged some tea-snacks and gifts also. By 3:00 pm for everybody’s surprise in front of the gate, 32 rickshaws were at stand. Soon our then Superior inaugurated the day with a prayer and a small talk. For about two hours I gavean awareness class on drugs through some activities and also a talk on ideal family and savings. Then we moved for having some sports programme for them. Again for oursurprise we saw few of them burning (bidis, cigrates and other drug packets) without ourasking them to do so.We distributed prizes for the winners and a gamachha [towel] to all of them as a memory. Then we had tea and snacks.We could see a bright smile on their face, telling we have heard Teachers’ Day, Children’s Day etc., but never heard about ‘Rickshaw Pullers’ Day’. Thus with great cheer they left. After that a kind of relationship was built in between them and us. The love of Jesus spread in them and their families. ‘Praise be to His mighty presence.’ •Through Mary to Jesus with the YouthIn the same station we have about 16 catholic families. But it was sad to know that, there were no family gathering, family prayers and so. Hardly they used to come for Sunday mass. All together they were about 88 members, but no shepherd. No priests to have regular visit and meet their spiritual needs. Hardly on Sundays they are available. They atttend mass and go. Seeing to the thirst of the people for the word of God and their Co-operating spirit, we started to take initiative. There were quite a number of youth. We kept one day as reflection for all the families.Then three days Bible camp. We stressed on ideal Christian family, family prayer and how important Bible is and its structure. It was an attempt to peep into the Bible through acting, narrating, discussing and watching films on some part of the Bible. Then it was continued on every Sundays. On 29th August they were called and asked to have regular family prayers at least for these nine days and celebratethe birthday of Mary very solemnly. During these days in Bhattapara the Parish [main station] where there is a boarding Mary our mother proved her promise of protecting her children. Our sisters were having four hours rosary 8 to 12:00pm. Children had already slept. Sisters heard some noise from up.They hesitated to go and continued the rosary. After some time again they heard the noise. This happened for two three times. At last one of our sisters went up to see what is happening. For her shock she saw the room full of smoke and the bed where children were sleeping had caught fire and was almost reaching children who were in deep sleep. If she was late for two–three minutes, fire would have reached children. Mary protected her children. So people from Bhattapara and Tilda celebrated Mary’s birthday very solemnly. There was dinner in the church sponsored by the people. While they were having dinner the scene of marriage at Cana was displayed by the youth. There was shortage of rice. Mary intervened and Jesus asked to fulfill the pot with rice and all enjoyed. Then Mary invited the families [4 families] who had regular family prayer, gave gift packet to Jesus and Jesus gave it to the family. It was very touching and encouraging. After that family prayer has become part of their routine act. ‘Praise the Lord.’•Jesus is still alive todayIn Gangaloor [Jagdalpur mission] as a part of our family apostolate we went to visit our catholic houses. There are 28 families. Twenty four families have reached there in one mid-night with what they could carry in their hands, without knowing where they are running and with whom they are. Only one word was continuously uttered. ‘Jesus Save.’ Now this is the eighth year they are settled here. Lost every thing- land, house, cattle etc. They were chased by the naxelites. One day it so happened, some othergroup came and asked one of the families showing pistol and keeping on their neck to take away all the statues of Jesus, Mary and also Bible, and keep it in the middle ground and put fire. Then the group started to count. At last poor people felt some kind of courage and heard a voice, ‘Jesus is still alive.’ With deep faith they put fire. For everybody’s wonder the sky was so crystal clear and don’t know how and from where, the moment they put fire, there was a heavy rain. So heavy that, the water did not allow any thing to burn. All those who gathered specially the group proclaimed ‘your Jesus is still alive.’ Our people though they have nothing for the physical survival but are surviving with deep faith in the power of Jesus. They say we regret for having lost. Jesus everything, but are at peace of having grown in the faith and trust on Jesus takes care of His flock.Jesus, I found and am finding Jesus beside me, in the little events of life in the mission. I conclude by repeating the prayer of Moses, “If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here--------In this way, we shall be distinct, I and you people, from every people on the face of the earth.“Praise the Lord”Sr.Suma John CMCJagdalpur Region.。