Father B., The Good Shepherd

“Achane Vilikku”.

“Call the Father”. ( Translation of above words from the Malayalam language).

These words delivered with such clarity and confidence startle me.  My Dad is in hospital for a heart checkup and just when we think all is clear and he is stable, this command comes.

I swing into action, and get going to my Parish Church, somehow driving there, with the sense that each second is important.  Fr is just about to have lunch, but explaining the situation he comes immediately , just grabbing his stole and small bag of essentials as well as a prayerbook.

When we reach back to the hospital, the Doctors are doing a procedure on him.  Fatherr waits patiently for almost close to half an hour.  Finally we are allowed to see him.  He receives the Anointing of the Sick and Holy Communion with folded hands and complete contentment, peace and tranquillity.  So much so, that Father. is struck by his frame of mind and radiance of face.

After this rite, Father is called to say prayers for another parishioner who just passed away in the same hospital.  I drop Fatherr back and thank him, as he has not had even his lunch all this time.

One hour later, I call back Fatherr, “We lost him.” I can barely utter the words.  Father. can’t believe that it happened so soon.  Neither can I.

Days pass in a blur after that.

One thing of those days I will always remember though, I was able to satisfy the last wish and command of my father.  Thanks to Father, the Good Shepherd for all of us.

The instance above happened more than two and a half years ago.

This morning after Mass, my better half and I want to wish Father and thank him.  He is going to be posted elsewhere in another couple of days, after serving six years in our large Parish, after facing so many challenges.

Ministering to so many needs of families like ours is not an easy job.  Yet, Father was always waiting with a smile to meet Parishioners after each Mass, morning and evening.  His smile never waivered nor did his words ever stop encouraging us on this journey of life.

Father remembers the last moments with my Dad with such clarity. “Your dad knew he was going to heaven.  Even I am not sure of going to heaven,” Father. says.

This is the humility of Father B., our Good Shepherd.

Parting is always painful. We wish him all the best for his new posting, and request his prayers for us.

As we leave the Church, after saying goodbye to Father, I can’t help think how hard is the life of a Priest.  They give their whole life for us, everything really.

The life of a Diocesan Priest is specially challenging.

Every once in a while, they must go wherever they are posted next.  It might be a larger or smaller parish, in the city or in a remote place, but the responsibility remains the same, to minister to the flock entrusted to them, 24*7.  One of the most difficult, yet rewarding jobs that so few are specially chosen by Him for.

Thank you Father B. for all you have done for us.

This saying seems most apt when we think of you:

The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. When you see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ — St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests