SIMPLE, ORDINARY, HOLY | KAIROS GLOBAL | OCTOBEER 2021

Author: Dr. Chackochan J Njavallil

Thirty years ago, I happened to meet a young girl, starting her career as a clerical assistant. Thirty years hence, she still works in that same small office, with probably the same kind of work. Though the intervening decades saw her get married and raise a family, she is still that ordinary, soft-spoken, unassuming woman. She is content, happy with her work and modest income, unperturbed about attention or its lack thereof. A very ordinary person but her consistency has brought an extraordinariness to her work and life. 

There is a couple who frequently come for morning Mass. They have three children, one of whom is mentally challenged. This son, in his twenties, has the physical maturity of a seven-year-old and mental ability of only a three-year-old. He sometimes wanders about the church while Mass goes on, approaches people with a smile and touches them. I have often wondered about the tremendous pain that family goes through. Even at this stage he needs full-time attention. His parents are very ordinary but through their life, they have become extraordinary. I am sure that people of this 'tribe' are not few.  

And so too of an ordinary priest; there was nothing special about him. He was not an orator, singer or administrator. Neither did he write anything notable nor were his sermons intellectually appetising. What is noticeable is his broad smile and non-judgemental attitude. People travel long distances to be with him. A very ordinary priest but who has won many hearts. His simplicity and ordinariness could be why people love him so.

These are stories of very ordinary people who lead simple and contented lives. They do not compete the rat race, chase dreams or aspire ascending the social ladder. There is no scramble for attention or desire to blaze a legendary trail. There is no intention to compete and conquer. There may not be much to cheer about and they may not leave defining marks to remember them by.  

Simple, ordinary and peaceful lives. 

He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-4)