Thursday, 2 nd June 2022

Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth.

The Archbishop of my state has been made the new Cardinal by the Pope this past Sunday! A huge honor for the man of faith leading my tiny state with faith and love for Christ and the Church!

This Sunday as I searched for a catholic church nearby my hotel ( as I was out of town), I happened to realise it was the feast of this tiny church close by and I strolled in the church assuming it was the usual Sunday English mass but alas, I was shocked and amused to hear the choir and priest begin in Malyalam ( a language of the southern Indian state of Kerala). While I contemplating leaving, I decided against it and waited through the mass translating all the way in my head as the structure of the Mass remains the same in all languages! ( how awesome !)

As I watched the faith with which the people came to worship filling the church, from older citizens to young tiny tots, I was happy that the faith has been transmitted along generations. In our world of chaos, changing genders and minds about everything, it has become so easy to conform with new rules! I do it myself, where I refuse to comment on subjects I am uncomfortable about like my faith, the scandals, the hypocrisy of all the Sunday church goers as the reach the parking lot!!!

However today in the Gospel, Jesus prays over us to be guided by the truth that He sent us forth with which was given to Him by His father! The simple truth of loving one another just as we love God and being ambassadors of faith! Despite having the most faithful catholic community in my country full of billion people, there will be some humans who believe they are given super powers by God of healing and have started making a sect of followers and minting money off it too at times! The truth then, has been mislead and greed and pride has entered the picture!

Let us not fall into that trap although it is not easy, where everyone keeps posting and boasting about every thing on social media, I left it as the fakeness of the entire concept made me judge everyone constantly … it still happens when I see a tourist trying to click a picture outside the churches in Goa while we hurry to attend sunday mass on time! I am guilty of being a poor and truant follower of the truth of Christ and its church and I am trying hard to be less judgmental and more forgiving !

This week is about letting the truth guide us as followers. I personally dont subscribe to the idea of evangelizing as they recommend on the TV and media outlets or of saying ” Praise the Lord ” during a normal human conversation.. I find it extremely awkward to even mention I am catholic as I physically do not resemble one as per everyone I know! ( How exactly I have no idea) I am always asked to repeat my name , asked my nationality and if I am a christian! Yes it gets annoying to constantly correct every ignorant human in my populated country…. so my urge to evangelise just never happened! I do accept I would go an extra mile for a christian patient at work and take little more effort to help them!

I am trying to live the truth of the Church and Christ through my posts here and my daily living and building a personal relationship with God! I learnt the silent way of living through phases of life from my dad are much more calming then, constantly having to talk about the suffering and why it happened. These days I am trying consciously trying to live the truth as a less whiny human and instead be thankful for every thing I have now which includes all of you readers who have kept my father and me in your prayer! I tear up every time I read the love I get on the comments … it makes me feel less silly and dumb especially since I am not qualified in any way to post reflections on the Bible!

Let us set the task of living the truth of Christ this week in any way we can!

PRAYER:

Thank you Jesus for gifting us with your faith and truth! Thank you for this life where I get to learn and practise your teachings! Forgive me Lord when I faltered and help me get up and move on with your truth as my guide!

AMEN

About the Author

Hello! I’m Dr Analise Maria D’ Mello, (MBBS, MS obgyn, DNB) from the beautiful state of Goa in India. I was born and raised in a Roman Catholic family, learning my prayers, catechism and Catholic values from my parents and grandmothers. I am currently practicing as an obstetrician and gynecologist for 3 years since my residency. I often speak on anti-abortion to college students and married couples, and counsel distressed pregnant women with appropriate medical advice. I am part of the St Luke's Medical Guild of Catholic Doctors in my state providing services in prisons, and Lenten and advent retreats for medical professionals and their families.

Author Archive Page

22 Comments

  1. Thank you for Gods word through you and thanks you for your encouragement through his words. Amen

  2. Another lovely, relatable reflection – thank you, Analise and may God keep your family safe and healthy

  3. Your story of your life and reflections are inspiring to me things I look forward to every Thursday.

  4. I pray your father heals. Thank you for your reflection. I need to be grateful for all the blessings from God in my life.

  6. Grateful for your reflections every week, there is a lot of wisdom and practical insights Ian what you share…judge less, forgive more, speak and live truth.

  7. Analise- Thank you always for your complete honesty. You are more than qualified to be here posting and sharing because you share what the Holy Spirit has put on your heart!! So don’t ever doubt that; God is definitely working through you! Thank you!!

  9. Thank you Analise. Don’t be so hard on yourself. We are people of faith and truth and have nothing to be ashamed of. Think of the apostles and their difficulties that paved the way for our church. Hold your head high and shake the dust from your feet and move on. Love those apostles…and we love you. Peace my sister.

  10. Analise, I find joy within your writing. I read 3 different gospel reflections daily for the differing perspectives and always look forward to Thursday here.
    Too often we get caught in the trap of believing all wisdom comes from the learned. Tho you are obviously well educated, your insight and experiences from the viewpoint of a “saint in training” has great value to many of us. Thank you.
    May God bless and keep you and yours.

  11. Dr. Analise, in so many of your posts I see your truth reflection in me. Your honesty bares witness to your faith and the holy spirit shines bright.
    May God in all his glory bless you.

  13. Thank you so much Analise for the wonderful sharing in your explanation of the mass readings. I feel very honored that you do this for all of us and feel the outpouring love you have for everyone. Your share helpers me realize i am not perfect in my love for God but that i always have chances every day to change that in everything i do and all the people i meet. I too want to have a stronger faith and be able to share openly about it without worrying what others will think . Bless you and God be with you. All my love Margie

  14. I continue to pray for your father and to pray for all of those who have cancer. Pray to God to end cancer in the world and to cure all of those with the disease.

  15. You are not alone with your feelings and thoughts. The US is a Christian nation, but….. I too struggle to not judge and forgive offensive behavior and perceived hypocrisy.

    Your writing brings comfort that we are not alone.

  16. Thank you Analise for sharing! May your Father be healed and your family continue to walk in faith. We are all called by God…some to encourage, some to heal, some to teach, some to evangelize, etc. There are many gifts but the same Spirit. You my dear have very much answered Gods call in so many ways! Your profession alone speaks louder than words! Again thank you and God bless you your family and all of us.

  17. Dear Analise,
    I find you to be sincere and I love that about you.
    Jesus came for the poor and sinners and not the righteous.
    I think you have a family of sinners here.

  18. Thank you Analise for your sincere, down to earth, everyone can relate to reflections.
    God bless you and your family.

  19. I wish I could give you a hug Annalise.Your doubts,discomforts,judgements and failures are part of the human condition,even among so many Christians and Catholics.Myself included.
    You are a true disciple of Christ and like many others, I look forward to your relatable Thursday reflections.
    May God continue to bless you,your parents and family.
    Continued prayers for Bill,Anna those with cancer and chronic illness.

  20. As I read your posts, as well as the comments, I can’t help but be encouraged on this faith journey. We are all sharing this road together. We may not be important theologians, or orators. What is more important is that we are all Gods children. We come together to pray and learn from each other. We share life’s experiences and insights in order to find clarity and encouragement. So often your words point me in a direction I may not have considered but which may make the next steps clearer.

    Thank you for sharing this journey with me! Prayers for you and yours.

  21. Dr. Annalise, I look forward to your meditation every Thursday. I love your authenticity and humility. You are a blessing to me, your family, your patients, and many, many others.

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