It is long since that I realized that what the poor people look up to from the people who have is not so much the material benefits, or money or favors, but a sympathetic, or better still, an empathetic, presence. In their struggles, pain and anxieties, they would like to lean on someone who may not let them down to die. As an educated person with degrees from some of the best known colleges in the country, and with knowledge of English which immediately puts me with the top 25 per cent of the population, I am quite different from the rest of the people of often deal with. The poor cannot even think of coming anywhere close to me, even if they have to struggle hard.
I am quite different from others, and so are many of my friends and companions; we are so very different from the people who work with and for; now there are people who know who we are, and look up to us as great social workers; some know we are people dedicated to God and the service of his people, and therefore treat us with due respect and reverance. But there are also people who would like to consider us as one of them; one of their family members, because of the fact we had left behind our family, parents and relatives. They would like to fill us with the love that we miss, and rejecting their simple love is rejecting the very people we wish to serve.
I had no intention of adopting a family, or allow myself to be adopted by a very poor family, a few kilometers out of the city. In fact, I did not even know that I wanted that way, and even before I could realize what was happening, I had become part of this family. Like Peter and John in the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles, who told he cripple they had neither silver nor gold, but had the power of the risen Lord. But I could not dare say even this, because I was not sure I had that power (or at least I was not aware the power was there all along!). All that I could do is to sit on the mud floor of their house, share their simple meal on a Sunday, and listen to their stories!
There is nothing I could share with them, except my time, and an empathetic heart, and they were more than happy with that. On festive occasions they desired me to share a meal with them, however simple it be, and I was more than happy to do that, because I knew that this is what I have been called to. Is this not part of my "preaching" the Good News? We did not discuss anything spiritual or about God, but the concern I had for my sisters and parents, showed itself through my simple acts of charity. They knew they could not depend on me for anything material, but considered me one of them, and that was a great pleasure for me!
A few days ago, when my sister dropped in to say hello to me here, she asked me if I could purchase an electric iron for her; if I am not mistaken, this is the first time that she asked me something, and I did not hesitate to say that I would. She earns about rupees 4,000 a month, and most of the money goes into maintaining the family, saving a little for the future. She is not a spendthrift, and I had been encouraging her to reduce the financial burden of the parents, and that is what she does. I know it is not the three hundred rupees worth iron which really matters, but that she feels accepted and supported. I feel part of my responsibility as a "preacher" is done!
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