Christian Living

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I always believe God lives in my backyard. No, I don’t mean the backyard of my home in Thrissur. I use the term ‘backyard’ in a larger sense to mean the entire city and the entire universe.

Living in Thrissur, I can reach every nook and corner through the Omnipotent God living in me.

Dazzling white jasmine blossoms vying for your attention with the flamboyant pink of rose and marigold blossoms! They are the early harbingers of spring and seem to bloom almost overnight spreading the divine fragrance well in advance.

Their fresh appearance in the early mornings always reminds me of a legend about Saint Francis of Assisi. One day in deep winter, the good saint commands a barren tree to speak to him of God. The tree at once covered itself head to toe with flowers! Indeed, the flowering plants of my backyard speak to me of God. Every blossom in nature is the dance of the Angels, praising the eternal glory of God!

And certainly in my country, every early morning, when I hear the temple Suprabhatham(morning song from Hindu temples) mingles with the minaret muezzin’s call and the church bell’s toll, then too, I hear the same whisper of God’s presence everywhere.

It is the early morning that the sun starts his angelic journey over the hills and the sky above is a clear, pale blue. There are plenty of black crows and other birds in different colors flying in the blue sky singing angelic songs in praise of their creator!

Now, what is that translucent net of black and silver that flits and floats just above the serene water of the silent waterways or backwaters, almost but not touching it? It is a swarm of swallows having breakfast. Swallows are aerial hunters early in the morning and the hunting swarm banks and turns in pursuit of flies to snatch them up in mid-air. Verily, verily, I say unto you, not even the mightiest of fighter planes manned by the cleverest pilot can match the agility of the swallows of God’s own country (Kerala). Yes, God lives in my backyard and Angels dance around Him always!

The cooling touch of this balm is best sensed when the sun is low on the horizon. The transitioning night, or day, beckons our minds away from our daily turmoil toward a more spiritual rumination along with these dances of Angels.

It helps to be out in the open near streams, waterways, lake, sea or mountain, at dawn or dusk, to clearly hear this spiritual call and enjoy the dances of the Angels.

I have not only sensed God’s presence in the poppies and swallows, hills and lakes of my backyard, but also I could sense God’s presence in far off places.

God was as much present in the resounding OUM at the temples, as in the great AMEN at the Cathedral Church of Thrissur. While every Sunday I meditate at Cathedral Church on the mystery of bread and wine transforming into spiritual food and drink, I have also sensed the angelic dance in every move of nature.

I believe God lives in my backyard, I continue to look for God everywhere. I hear my heart gently whisper of God’s presence around me and see and enjoy the Angelic dances. I strive to show Him to all that I meet!

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