St.Joseph's Church, Arimalam

The contemplation of Paradise delighted me by its peace and beauty. There, spotless beauty abides, there peace without alarm dwells. Happy the one who will deserve to receive it, if not through righteousness, then at least out of kindness; if not because of works, then at least out of pity (…) When my spirit returned to the shores of earth, the mother of thorns, pain and evils of every kind presented themselves to me. Thus, I learned that our region is a prison. And yet, the captives who are locked in there weep when they leave it. I was also surprised by the fact that children cry when they leave the womb. They cry although they are going out from darkness towards the light, from a narrow space towards a vast universe. In the same way, for human beings, death is a kind of birth. Those who are born weep when they leave the universe, the mother of pain, in order to enter the Paradise of delights. Oh Lord of Paradise, have pity on me! If it is not possible for me to enter into your Paradise, make me at least worthy of the pastures at its entrance. At the center of Paradise is the table of the saints, but the fruit from its interior falls outside like crumbs for the sinners, who even there will live by your kindness.

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“All creation groans and is in agony (…) We ourselves (…) await the redemption of our bodies” (Rom 8:22-23)

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