The Life of St. Alphonsa: A Sea of Lessons and Reflections !

The Life of St. Alphonsa: A Sea of Lessons and Reflections

“Truly, truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone: but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12: 24 – 26)

The falling of grain of wheat into the earth and dying is for a noble cause. It is for the abundant cause of increase. Life of St. Alphonsa on earth was a process like falling of grain of wheat into the earth and dying. Those who would meditate to have a glimpse of her saintly and virtuous life will come across a sea of reflections that certainly enrich their Christian existence. The first saint of the Syro – Malabar Church is enshrined as a model for taking up our daily crosses and to follow Jesus Christ so closely.

The earthly life of St. Alphonsa is a class room of lessons. “The mystery which was hidden for ages and generations, but now made manifest to his saints. The mystery is that Christ, the hope of glory is there in you” (Colossians 1: 27). St. John begins his gospel with a clear indication that ‘The Word was God’.  In one of His parables Jesus illustrates that Word of God is a seed. Now, St. Paul to his letter to Colossians writes that Christ, the hope of glory, is in you. Hence, without any shadow of doubt, it is obviously true that every individual on earth bears a seed of Christ with in him or her.

St. Alphonsa’s life itself witnesses that she had known very well that a seed of Christ resides in her. It is because of this conviction she let the divine seed of purity get sprouted. When her life was permeated with the power of Holy Spirit, she entered through the narrow gate way offered by Jesus. She was getting tuned literally to the words of John, the Baptist; “Christ alone was growing in her and her self was being reduced.”

Each one of us has a seed of Christ in us. Do we let the divine seed in us grow? We have a seed of Christ within us and since we are not committed enough to cater it, the seed dies out, before it gets sprouted. Is not our carelessness? Now is the time to pray through the intercession of St. Alphonsa to be endowed with the grace of catering the seed of divinity that has been infused by the Almighty at the time of our birth. St. Alphonsa certainly can guide each one of us through the narrow and suffering moments of life.

Her life will be ever remembered as the one which accepted the life without any rebellion as it was offered to her. This could be the unique and salient virtue that made her a saint. When she was ready to say ‘Yes’ to the Lord, she was telling ‘Yes’ to the very life. No one will find her saying even a word of complaint over the long-lasted trials, hardships and sufferings of her religious life. She was well prepared to accept the life as her creator has designed for her. Hence, an inspiring lesson that we could draw out from her life is that there is always the hands of God behind every experience of life.

No one has succeeded in giving an answer to the perennial question of suffering. But, St. Alphonsa teaches us that God has a right over our lives. God has a reason for allowing something to happen in our lives and finally He has prepared a reward for each one of us. “God works for the good with those who love him” (Rom. 8: 28). The one who knows all the ways of our lives, the one who keeps the keys of all the lockers, the one who has solutions for all the problems has an answer.

Finally, she teaches us about the price that we need to pay for being a true disciple of Jesus Christ. The pains, the struggles and the discipline that we undertake are the prices that we need to pay to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. A well solid grounded life in Jesus Christ costs a lot. The pains and struggles of life are always something like shedding the blood. Still, it is better to choose Jesus always.

In short, the life of saint Alphonsa could be summarized as follows

Ø  A saintly life that could explore and cater the seed of divinity in her.

Ø  She accepted life as it has been designed for her by the Almighty.

Ø  She was aware that the struggles of life blessed by the grace of her Lord will add beauty to her Christian existence.

Ø  She has succeeded in communicating the rhythm of the gospel through her committed religious life

Now we are witnessing the prophetic words of Fr. Romulus CMI, the spiritual director of the saint, coming true: “The village of Bharananganam within whose bounds this body will be buried is also greatly blessed for, God willing, this sleepy little village will become the Lisieux of India. Sr. Alphonsa’s tomb here will become a centre of pilgrimage and people will come here from all parts of India to pray to her seeking her intercession. Bishops no doubt, and cardinals themselves if God is so pleased, will visit her tomb though she is an obscure nun now.”

Lord Jesus, we pray through the intercession of the saint of our native to help us to be committed enough to cater the divine seed within us. May the prayers of St. Alphonsa enkindle our soul to communicate the rhythm of the gospel message. Amen!