Cynical Believer

It is the faith of the people that brings them to Father Agnel's church to follow a rather peculiar tradition.

They come from all over and all religions to hug and kiss a bust of Fr Agnel’s statue and revere him with colourful flowers, candles of wishes and prayers for miracles.

While tying their garlands of adoration around the statue, many whisper in its ears, with the deepest conviction—the unanswered prayers of their past. Some would not make their whispers too obvious while others would even carry their children up to the figurine so that they, too, may speak to the bust.

I’ve always found idol worship hard to believe. Revering statues made of stone and clay seems like such a nomad thing to do because you are giving in to the belief that God dwells in that statue instead of the living things around you. But I watched on as the followers of this late priest came in Sunday after Sunday with such devotion in hopes that their prayers to the almighty would be answered through him.

A bust of Fr Agnel's statue stands above an offertory box inside the church in Bandra, Mumbai.

Yesterday, was the canonisation of Mother Teresa and contemplations from all over were unleashed. People brought up instances of her taking money on the pretext of helping the poor, and questions over her saintly hood were raised. Amid all the cynicism you realise how easy it is to criticise but much harder to praise.

It is, in fact, a lesser-known truth in football that a goalie is always remembered for the number of shots they have missed rather than the ones they has saved.

And yet it all boils down to the faith we have in people and ourselves. Every candle lit at the grotto of Mount Mary, every temple bell rung that sounds the deep awakening in your heart would probably seem futile without faith.

Perhaps then when we close our eyes in prayer in times of grave difficulty, it’s always comforting to think that our prayers will be answered because of our devotion.

I do not think I will ever be able to believe in rituals as much as the believers, or any other devout person of faith, but it is the devotion of these people that I have come to appreciate and respect.