LIFE IN MISSION

2 February 2009 Talamari, India That victim feeling was unmistakable. She had read about it in the words of Sister Meena of Orissa herself at a press conference last October – the way she was cornered, stripped and raped by those communal hooligans. Never in her life had she felt like an outsider as a Christian in her own country. She had grown up with Hindus and Muslim friends. Neither her parents not those of her friends ever made her feel there was any distinction between them. They were brought up to be faithful to religious observances and loyal to friends and family. Feasts and festivals had always been occasions for fellowship, food and fun. But times had drastically changed. Victims who made news were no more strangers. It could be a friend. It could be a neighbour. “Could it be me next?” A chill ran down Sister Nirupama’s spine. Her head whizzed with a hundred gory images as she stood waiting for her train to Bangalore, to attend a meeting for Christian religious involved in social work. In the corner of her eye, were those two youth; the bold tilak on their forehead giving them away as ultra-nationalists who believed ‘India is for the Hindus’ and that all others must be annihilated. She had caught a glimpse of them as she got into an auto-rickshaw at the marketplace. And when she reached the railway platform, she spotted them again. They carried no luggage. Nor did they seem in a hurry to catch a train. They simply leaned on the counter of the sole tea-stall in that deserted rail station – staring at her, watching her every move. Sister Nirupama had always been known as “the bold one”. She had done great work in sensitizing tribal folks of their rights to education, food, water and hygiene. She was a role model to her fellow Franciscan Hospitaller sisters. She had a way of dealing with government officials with their strange rules and demands. She had several influential contacts – all for the sake of the poor people who looked up her as “all things to all people.” But that moment, she felt a great fear seize her. She would have a loved a miracle that could make her disappear from the scene and transport her to Bangalore – for good – where things would be safer, surer and saner. “Oh, Lord! What do I do?” (Consider here, what Mother Maria Clara would have advised Sister Nirupama, who wanted to retreat from her chosen ministry in the wake of mortal danger. Now, refer to Question #9 and provide your response, using a real-life situation.)