(Prasangavum Paapikalum)
He could make out that some great man is coming to the town and explain the bible to the people- Some two years back, he remembers even to this day- when he made a similar announcement about another great man, who was carrying a bible with him always along with a rosary. He never has the time to attend such talks as he has got his work cut out and at the end of the day he will get a pot of “Chaaraayam” (country liquor) and go home. People still depended on him for he was good at his work till the sunset and call him by his name Sahadevan, and after sunset he was a different person. It was a small town near Chalakudi, a little south of Trichur. The town was so small that everyone knows every other person.
The upadeshi came on Saturday and started his preaching standing in the street corner. (For the town had no churches).Gradually over a period time the crowd started gathering in. One from the crowd suggested going to the school playground, as that can accommodate lot of people and will not affect even the traffic- the buses that ply from Kochi to Chalakudi, passing through the town.
Based on the enthusiasm of the crowd, the upadeshi, fondly called acchan planned to stay back for few days and preach what our Lord has said millennia ago. The bigwigs of the town took upon themselves the responsibility of housing acchan. They even created a temporary shed for the people to listen to his preaching and pray and worship at the end of lectures.
On the last day of his stay in that town, while he was preaching, something happened. Sahadevan wanted to see and hear the upadeshi from close quarters. He never gets time to witness such gathering or listen to what he was saying all these days. In his excitement, he went close to the podium. But though he is known to everybody practically, he was of a low class so the bigwigs took offense at his going near the upadeshi, so they pushed him out.
The upadeshi stopped his talk and started saying” Ende priyappetta makkale!( my dear children). I am happy to note that you have all patiently listened to the Lord’s words all these days and also offered hospitality to me. But you have forgotten one thing. This town crier, aptly called Sahadevan, announced my arrival to this town. Sahadean oru paavappetta jeeviyaanu.( Sahadevan is a humble person).Now when he has found time and wanted to hear my prasangam (lecture), you are pushing him out. I consider him similar to John the Baptist, who announced the arrival of Jesus Christ. Pakshe gnyan Yohannanaaya Sahadevan ariyiccha devanum alla- theerchayayi devanin daasan matram. (but I am not the Lord that John aka Sahadevan announced- but positively am a sheep of the Lord)
Matthai 3:11-il parayunnundu-
“Ennaal enikku pinnaaley ennekkaal shakthanaaya oruvar varunnu. Addehattindey cheruppu chumakkuvaan gnyaan yogyanalla. Addeham ningaley parishuddhaathmavukondum theekondum snaanam kazhippikkum”
(Mathew 3:11 says: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire)
The words of the Son who ascended on the cross for our sins, are there for everyone- to guide and redeem us if we pray whole heartedly. And have belief in him.
Onnamatte corinthiar 15:1,2-il, sahodarare! Gnyan ningalude ariyicchathum, ningal sweekaricchathum, ningal orappathilkunnathumaaya suviseshattepatti ningale orpikkuvaan gnyan agrahikkunnu. Gnyaan ningalode ariyiccha vachanam ningal murukkeppidikkunnavengil ee suvisesham mukhena ningal rakshikkppedunnu. Allathapaksham ningal vishwasichathu vyarthamaayi theerum.
(1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain).
The upadeshi stepped out to walk away to next town.