Solitary Soul

AND GOD TOOK THE RISK ….. Mario D’Couto             Human freedom is perhaps the most precious gift that God has given to humanity. If we were not free, we would be no better than puppets in the hands of a puppeteer. It is thus because of this that we are able to accept or reject Him. Imagine how God must have felt when He created you and me? There is no doubt that He has a specific plan for our lives but that does not mean He will force us. He will, at the most, suggest but He will never force. This is the risk that God took.             Whatever the Lord God created was good and He wishes all things to be united in Him. In the mind of God, He wanted everything to achieve the purpose for which it was created. Yet, in as much as He is the sole Author and Creator of everything, He never forces. One interesting analogy that I can think of in this regard is when a ...

FEELING AT HOME Mario D’Couto               A home is not and should never be understood as a physical structure that is built from bricks and stones. It is one that is made up of the warmth and the cordial aura around the place. Caught up with the hustle and bustle of life, this is something that we could miss or take for granted and yet it is something that is so essential for us as human beings. So what are the ingredients that go into being at home.                  A home includes two things, namely, a sense of security and a sense of belonging. Above all, it represents protection – a place where we can retreat from the trials of the outside world. For example, a student can feel at home in the modest quarters he occupies during his college years. Books, papers, a laptop, a stray coffee cup or two – all attest to the fact that the simple...

THE NARROW GATE Mario D’Couto             Why could not Jesus choose an easy path to redeem us rather than go through a horrendous torture and excruciating pain on the cross. After all, He is God and it was definitely within His power to make things happen. But He didn’t. Why? Had not Jesus taken our nature (except for sin), we would not be able to understand Him.             Every event and moment has a role to play in our lives. Nothing is a matter of chance. One thing interesting about life is that the nature of our problems are different. With different problems come different expectations and solutions. This is precisely because we are all different. Have you ever come across a person who did not long to live a life where there are no problems? I’m sure we would all love to have that. But perhaps, let me ask another question, “What would life be like without ...

WAX   OR  HARD MUD?  Mario D’Couto                 We just celebrated the feast of the Epiphany a few days ago. As I reflect on this, what strikes me as about this is two contrasting positions (read on to find out). If you have read my blogpost/article, “Christmas – A time to reflect” , this is just to reiterate what was mentioned before.             When our Blessed Lord was born, Herod, driven by insecurity, sought the Lord not to pay homage and honour but to kill Him. Why? Because he felt threatened that he would lose his position whereas the three wise kings, to who this feast is attributed, sought the Lord to honour Him (Matthew 2: 1 – 12). What is our approach? How is our relationship with God? I remember when I used to teach in Sunday school, I used to tell the children that unless they felt the need for God, as Someone they cann...

GETTING THINGS DONE Mario D’Couto             The new year has finally come which gives us an opportunity to look at the past and see how it has gone by and a new future to seek out new opportunities and possibilities. On the very outset, a happy new year to you and your family, wherever you are, whichever part of the world you may be in. Given that we have begun 2020, there may be things you may have wished you could accomplish but were not able to do and perhaps, with the start of the new year, you may have set yourself some sort of goal or a resolution that you may want to achieve.             For a long time, I always thought that the best resolution is to keep no resolution at all because in as much as most our aspirations may be noble and worthy, most of us struggle to sustain the energy level. I have been there too and still struggle with it from time to ti...