In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it
As an obstetrician, new life is a regular part of my career and from the new year I will be learning a lot more about it. As I embark on a short learning of newer techniques in my field of study, I am set to see “new life” under the microscope literally and figuratively. Artificial reproductive techniques- a human effort of creating life. As a student, honestly, I was never intrigued by the entire idea of creating humans.. to me from the most populated country in the world.. we have enough of them around! Why more? was always a statement… But I watch as couples struggle with the urge for parental love and have their own offspring… they take bank loans or even beg/ borrow money to pay for the procedures to concieve ” a new life”.. as a obstetrician, it does give us satisfaction to watch the couple go home with a healthy baby, but as a catholic , my mind is always debating whether I, as a mere mortal, have the right to play God.
I always refrained from such controversies and steered my learning to more of operative gynecological, oncology or teaching undegraduates but this aspect intrigued me and I am given a spot for a short course as part of my new learning in 2021.( Keeping an open mind about it!!)
I know the theory behind making a new life and even the numerous methods are on the rise, the technology has exploded from the first test tube baby , Louise Brown, in July 1978 to having delivered so many conceptions of this kind at my own government aided hospital. The accessibility and information is spread and infertility specialist are thriving (the cost is enormous)! I often find it amusing to listen when, an angel did the same job for free with Abraham and his wife Sarai, the “barren” Elizabeth and Zechariah.
This year ends on a sad note, with a huge loss of lives to a deadly illness, however the quest for a new life or even after life never ceases to fascinate us humans, who armed with all the technology and scientific expertise search for answers about the origin of universe, finding genetically programmed babies and so on. We often miss out on an important aspect of our life, the mystery of the super power which sets all of us in motion, the energy of human nature, the inner peace we seek and yearn to find.
As a catholic, this new year my resolve is to pray everyday more sincerely and honestly with thanks to God for the new life he lays in my hands as a doctor, the lives who read my reflections and all the ones who are near and dear to me. I resolve to attempt a daily rosary more fervently and not zone off through the decades, an attempt at listening to the Holy mass online in real time and not 2x and above all an attempt with my whole heart to be a better human and love myself with all my flaws as a daughter of the Lord while trying my best to be less judgmental about people around for their faith or opinion.
May all you readers stick to your resolve of being better people and may we in unison fight this pandemic of hate and discrimination and give the true meaning to life as “NEW” in 2021. Let us be kinder and more patient with those at work and home and take care of our health ( and shed the extra weight and keep off carbs like every January 😛 )…
Prayer:
Bless me O lord, that I try my best to improve on my relationship with you in 2021. Forgive me if I stray from the same but give me the persistence and courage to keep walking towards you. AMEN.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!
