The junction of M G Road and Brigade Road in Bangalore is significant for several reasons, one of which is its proximity to prominent churches in the city. The East Parade and the Trinity Churches to its left, St. Patrick's and the Mar Gregorios Church straight ahead, St. Mark's to its right, St. Andrew's behind it and for good measure, the Marthoma Church in the arc between the Trinity and the Gregorios Churches.
A muslim friend of mine, on his way back from his morning jog, saw an autorickshaw's wheels come off in a freak accident and careen into a railing which separates the footpath from the road. It was a Sunday morning and there was a small crowd that collected around the accident site. The impact of the crash had resulted in the driver's head crashing right through the windshield. He was bleeding profusely, with a cut in his head. He had to be rushed to a hospital quickly.
While the crowd around cluck clucked in anxiety, there was no one who was up to the task of doing the real deed - taking the accident victim to a place where he could be attended to.
My friend, in his shorts,sweaty tee and running shoes probably looked the most purposeless. He was approached by a gentleman who said, " You think you will be able to take this man to the Bowring hospital? I sing in the church choir, and can't afford to be late".
I can now imagine a whole series of these.
"We've a harvest festival going on in my church, and I'm in charge of the auction. Can you please tend to this man? "
" The bishop's giving his sermon in my church today, and I don't want to miss it. Could you pretty please do something about this poor man?"
"If I don't go on time, I won't be able to get my holy communion. I'd be grateful if you help this man in distress"
I can also imagine these people being hard working parishioners who work tirelessly towards spreading the gospel of the good Lord.
However, it was my muslim friend who hailed down another auto, took the unfortunate driver to the Bowring hospital, got him bandaged, gave him 100 rupees for good measure and then went to his house in Indiranagar, around 5 kilometres away, a good 3-4 hours later than he was supposed to.
Who then, has been the Christian here?
One could go to a temple, a mosque or indeed be an athiest and still be a Christian if one serves. Conversely, one can spend each waking hour praying and preaching. Of what use is it, if it doesn't give you the strength to serve?
A good Christian is also a good Hindu, a good Muslim, a good Jew, a good servant, a good human.
A Christian is what a Christian does.
A muslim friend of mine, on his way back from his morning jog, saw an autorickshaw's wheels come off in a freak accident and careen into a railing which separates the footpath from the road. It was a Sunday morning and there was a small crowd that collected around the accident site. The impact of the crash had resulted in the driver's head crashing right through the windshield. He was bleeding profusely, with a cut in his head. He had to be rushed to a hospital quickly.
While the crowd around cluck clucked in anxiety, there was no one who was up to the task of doing the real deed - taking the accident victim to a place where he could be attended to.
My friend, in his shorts,sweaty tee and running shoes probably looked the most purposeless. He was approached by a gentleman who said, " You think you will be able to take this man to the Bowring hospital? I sing in the church choir, and can't afford to be late".
I can now imagine a whole series of these.
"We've a harvest festival going on in my church, and I'm in charge of the auction. Can you please tend to this man? "
" The bishop's giving his sermon in my church today, and I don't want to miss it. Could you pretty please do something about this poor man?"
"If I don't go on time, I won't be able to get my holy communion. I'd be grateful if you help this man in distress"
I can also imagine these people being hard working parishioners who work tirelessly towards spreading the gospel of the good Lord.
However, it was my muslim friend who hailed down another auto, took the unfortunate driver to the Bowring hospital, got him bandaged, gave him 100 rupees for good measure and then went to his house in Indiranagar, around 5 kilometres away, a good 3-4 hours later than he was supposed to.
Who then, has been the Christian here?
One could go to a temple, a mosque or indeed be an athiest and still be a Christian if one serves. Conversely, one can spend each waking hour praying and preaching. Of what use is it, if it doesn't give you the strength to serve?
A good Christian is also a good Hindu, a good Muslim, a good Jew, a good servant, a good human.
A Christian is what a Christian does.
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