Hold
Jesus in your arms this Christmas! I was
a about eight years old. That Christmas a priest gave
a rather long sermon. Most of the kids were asleep.
It was nearing one in the morning. My friend Patrick
and I were busy tickling eachother. But then something
the priest said attracted my attention. He said, "Imagine,
you are in Bethlehem now. You hear that a child is born
to Joseph and Mary. You go to their house. You want
to see Jesus. You knock at the door. Joseph opens the
door and invites you in. Mary smiles at you. You kneel
down and ask Mary if you could see Jesus. Mary picks
the baby from the Manger and gives you Jesus. You have
Jesus in your arms now. What would you say to him?"
The
mass ended and everyone rushed out. There were sounds
of wishing "Happy Christmas." Hot choclate and a piece
of cake were served. The church was empty. The lights
were turned off. Many started to leave. I hid behind
the statue of Joseph and waited for some time. When
all was quiet, I came out and knelt at the feet of Mary.
I closed my eyes as if to go on a long journey. I imagined
exactly what the priest had suggested. Then I knocked
at the door. Joseph welcomed me in. I saw Mary and she
smiled. I knelt down to peek into the Manger. Mary whispered,
"He's aleep. He will awake anytime now." I
waited. Then after some time a little hand came out
of the blanket. Mary picked Jesus and placed him in
my arms. I did not know what to say to him. He smiled
and I knew that he understood that I loved him. I don't
remember how long I remained in the church. I thought
I was there for a long time. Then someone came in the
church. The lights were bright and people were coming
to kiss the baby in the manger. I moved to the side
and waited. My
mother found me and said, "Son where were you? We were
waiting for you outside." I tried to explain, but no
one wanted to hear. As I was leaving, I smiled at Jesus.
He looked at me and winked. From that day onwards, I
knew that Jesus was waiting for me. All
I wanted from that day on was to hold Jesus in my arms.
Years later I become a priest. I felt that same warmth
and love as I held the Body of Jesus. I smiled at him.
He opened his heart to me. I felt his heart beat and
cried! Remember little friends, Jesus wants to be born
in your heart. When he knocks at your heart open it
wide.
What
is the name of Nun that went to heaven? What was she
called?
What
is the name of the tic that was found on the moon?
Jesus
is calling you A
childhood dream that became the call to the priesthood.
This
incident was so real and clear that I wonder if it was
a vision or just a dream. Near the church was a large
cemetery. At the end was a little chapel with a bell
tower. I was up there with little demons swinging from
bell to another. We were having fun tolling bells.
All
of a sudden I saw this bright light below. I heard this
firm voice, "Santan Jesus wants you." I hurried down
and saw this magnificent angel. He was huge. He had
no wings but there was a bright light that came from
him. He was very gentle and had kind eyes. With his
eyes he said, "Follow me." He
took me through the entire cemetery seeing that I would
have a chance to visit every grave there. From the graves
on both sides hands started to come up. I touched each
hand, assuring them as I said, "I will pray for you."
It was that time onwards I knew that the Lord had set
me aside to pray for souls. Then
we came towards to church. On the steps of the church
Jesus was seated with some children around him. I came
close and Jesus looked at me. I remember that look always.
From then on I knew that I belonged to the Lord. I longed
for him always and wanted to be with him. I knew then
that the Lord was calling me to be a priest. I did not
understand everything clearly then but later on whenever
I had to make a decision, that face of Jesus would return.
That face is always there in my mind and my heart.
The
joy of sharing The
choclate incident.
The
gift with a dirty wrapping
Jesus
says, "Fear not it is I."
With
my priestly blessings,
Fr. Santan Pinto SOLT
