Weep Not for Me..

In John 12:9-11, after raising Lazarus from the dead, crowds gather around Jesus and believe in him. The next day the multitudes that had gathered for the feast in Jerusalem welcome Jesus as he enters Jerusalem.

1968 (Mumbai) - Time to elect a new leader to represent them in parliament. The leader to be elected was appointed from above. It was a sham they cried, as riots broke out. Those owing allegiance to the appointed candidate were targeted. Battle lines were drawn. The city was in flames, divided along these lines. They were not on their side. The family decided to relocate once peace reigned.

In Matthew 21:1-11, as Jesus descends from the Mount of Olives towards Jerusalem the crowds lay their clothes on the ground to welcome Jesus as he triumphantly enters Jerusalem.

1970 (Mumbai) - Uncle Mateo moved to the Hill, a decade later Raj moved to the valley of darkness. Seated on the hill, he felt lost. His children had left home to seek their fortune. They went their ways, and he had no choice but to work past retirement.

The Sanhedrin trial of Jesus following his midnight arrest, and Pilate washing his hands off Jesus as he is led to his crucifixion.Following him was a crowd of women mourning and lamenting..  

1984 (    ) - A midnight call informing Uncle Mateo was hospitalized at the Emerald. No sooner did he see Raj he wept. He wanted to go home with him. Be with family. His children on hearing his failing health rushed to be by his side. He was No More. They began to weep.  

Luke 23:28 Jesus turned and said to them," Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me; weep for yourselves and for your children."

If there is a God

December 15^th1986 - the 349^th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. The doctor had confirmed his wife would deliver within the year. 16 more days for the year to end. It was Monday and he was set to leave for home when the phone rang. He was asked to attend the Director’s meeting at the South end of the city.  The clock struck 6.00 Upset at the late call, he had no choice, knew he had to attend.

The meeting concluded at 9.00 pm. He wished all present a 'Good Night' and rushed to the nearest railway station. As he got to the platform he saw a train about to leave. He dodged the crowds and got aboard. The hour was late, so seeing a less than full compartment was no surprise. He had a full hour to go by to reach his destination. Half an hour later he felt a tap on his shoulder. The train had reached its destination and was headed for the yard. He quickly disembarked and blamed himself for not having checked the destination of this train. As he stood tired and forlorn on the platform, he saw a fast local heading for the next platform. Wanting to get home ASAP, he ran across the bridge till he was at the door of the compartment, jammed to the door with no one willing to budge. Not wanting to let go this train, he decided to stand on the ledge, which is a small foot strip at the far end of the coach with two handle bars. Many a time he had seen dare devils stand on the ledge. The journey would not be more than twenty minutes. So he stood here with his briefcase straddled between his legs.

The train left the platform with a powerful thrust and then the nightmare began. As it picked speed, the ‘G’ forces thrust him on a centrifugal path. He could feel the wind push his briefcase in tangent. His legs felt numb, his hands gripped tight the handlebar as he clung to dear life. The next two stations whizzed by. He only had to hold on for a few more minutes and his destination would have arrived. The next minute seemed like eternity. His head started spinning, his legs began to wobble. He was losing grip on the handle bar and kept missing the electric poles as the wind brushed his rear. He could now see the angel of death smile. He did not want to meet her so soon. He pleaded, she kept smiling. It was then he said 'if there is a God,' I pray this angel meet me after I have seen the face of my newborn.
‘Won’t cry when the time comes for I've lived a wonderful life.’

He did not know what happened next. It seemed he was standing in the rain for a long time as the spray struck his face. His first word on gaining consciousness was ‘Where am I’. Lying on the platform he saw a hundred faces stare at him as though he was dead. He wasn't, and remembered his prayer ‘If there is a God, save me’. A shiver ran down his spine. Six days later a son was born unto him and he named him after his god.