BHAJAN SERVICE

Theme: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Dear Friends,We have come together to be in the presence of the Lord who calls each one of us, to rest in His presence. He asks each of us to unload all our worries and anxieties onto Him and He is there with His wide-open arms to embrace us lovingly.We have been really busy during the last two months with our dissertation paper and so many other things, and let us thank the Lord that all these are completed so beautifully well. Let this half an hour that we spend in His presence be a time of relaxation with Him. Let us really tell Him all our worries and anxieties because He is not an insensitive God and some one far away from us. But He is always near us and wants to be in our com-pany. Let us invite this loving friend of ours to our hearts as we chant this entrance Bha-jan in Hindi.

Bhajan - Chorus: Aao Guru Deva, Darshan de do Tumhara (2)1. Tum ho jag ke prem bidhata (2)

Sun lo meri pukar, sun lo meri pukar, jag ke prem bidhata. 2. Tum ho jag ke shanti data (2)

Sun lo meri pukar, sun lo meri pukar, jag ke prem bidhata. 3. Mukti data 4. Jivan data

[Some moments of silence – with soft background music. And then one reads the follow-ing very clearly and distinctly, while the others listen meditatively.]

FOOT PRINTS IN THE SANDOne night I had a dream I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.And across the sky flashed scenes from my life.For each scene I notices two sets of footprints in the sand – one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.When the last scene of my life flashed before usI looked back at the footprints in the sand I noticed that many times along the path of my life, there was only one set of footprints I also noticed that this happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life.This really bothered me and I ques-tioned the Lord about it.“Lord you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way, but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of foot prints. I don’t understand why in times when I needed you most you would leave me.”

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Prepared by Bro. Shabu Francis & Bro. Lijo Vadakkan, in collaboration with Fr. J. Pulikal, sdb.

The Lord replied “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never, never leave you during your times of trial and suffering.When you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

[Now play the same hymn once again on the tape – while, again, all listen meditatively

Yes, the Lord was there even in the driest moments of our life, when we felt com-pletely deserted by everyone and when we found no sign of hope. It was in these mo-ments that the Lord was carrying us in his arms. It was in these moments that He was more close to us

Lord, come as the light into my life and light up the dark side of my life. Lord, come as the fountain of living water to quench my thirst. Lord, come as the friend to con-sole me in my sorrow.

Bhajan -Agamiso Yesuve, enna baline

Gospel Reading, John. 21, 1-14

Yes, the Lord was there to console the heart-broken disciples. He was there ready with the breakfast for them. This is what the Lord does in the lives of each one of us. He wants to come into our life with a pleasant surprise. Many at times He does come. May be through a phone call from someone very close to us, or it could be through a piece of happy news from someone through a letter or it could be through the smile of a little babe. How fortunate are we if we are able to recognize this Lord as St. John did: “It is the Lord.” As we take leave of his presence let us, ask Him, “Lord, I cannot stand alone, I need your hand to hold me, the warmth of your gentle touch in my world that has grown so cold. Lord, make me a simple instrument in your hands to spread your message of love”.

Bhajan – Ishwara enne nin veenayakkooIshwara enne nin shabdamakku, Shabda tarangita geethamakku.

Ishwara enne nin veenayakku,Veenayil meettunna ragamakku.

Ishwara enne nin roopamakku, Roopathil kanunna bhavamakku.

Ishwara enne nin shobhayakku, Shobhitha sundara deepamakku

Ishwara enne nin gehamakku, Gehathil nee vannu vasamakku!Ishwara enne nin shabdamakku, Shabda tarangita geethamakku.

As the light is being passed around let us touch the light, take His blessing, and take leave of his presence with a Panchangapranamam.

[NB: It is very important to prepare the atmosphere for the success of this service. In the middle – a lit Kuthuvilakku decorated with flowers, very dim light, very light music, and a mild scent of incense – such things might help to render the atmosphere a conducive one.]

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